If you have traveled through Frankfurt or Munich airport recently and noticed unusually long queues at passport control, you are not imagining it. The rollout of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) has caused wait times to double at Germany's two largest international airports, making them some of the slowest border crossings in Europe. For expats and immigrants who regularly travel outside the Schengen Area — whether for holidays, family visits, or work — this development has immediate, practical implications for how you plan your journeys.
The EES is a new EU-wide biometric border management system designed to replace the manual stamping of passports. It applies to non-EU nationals crossing the Schengen external border and records fingerprints, facial images, and travel dates. While the system is intended to improve security and reduce illegal overstays, its implementation is proving far slower than authorities anticipated.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a digital border management tool introduced by the European Union. It applies to all third-country nationals — meaning people who are not EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens — when they enter or exit the Schengen Area. This includes:
Importantly, the EES does not apply to EU citizens or to people crossing internal Schengen borders. If you fly from Germany to Spain, for example, you will not go through EES checks. The system only activates when crossing the Schengen external border — for instance, flying to the United Kingdom, the United States, Turkey, or any country outside the Schengen zone.
For non-EU expats with a valid German Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit), the EES records your legal status and travel history. You will still need to go through the EES biometric registration process at the border.
According to reports, wait times at passport control in Frankfurt and Munich have roughly doubled since EES checks began. Both airports now rank among the worst in Europe for border processing times for incoming non-EU passengers. Frankfurt Airport (Flughafen Frankfurt) is one of the busiest in the world, handling tens of millions of passengers annually, which means even a modest increase in per-passenger processing time translates into very long queues.
The slowdown is caused by the biometric registration step that occurs the first time a traveler passes through EES. Agents must capture fingerprints and a facial scan, which takes several minutes per person. For airports handling thousands of non-EU arrivals per hour, this creates a significant bottleneck.
Airport authorities and the EU are working on automated EES kiosks to speed up the process, but the rollout of self-service options has been uneven across EU member states.
If you are a non-EU national living in Germany and you plan to travel outside the Schengen Area, here is what you should keep in mind:
On your first EES crossing: Budget significantly more time than usual for passport control. Arriving early at the airport is essential — missing a flight because of EES queues is a very real risk if you cut it close.
On return to Germany: The EES check also applies on entry, not just exit. Allow extra time when you land at Frankfurt or Munich, especially during peak travel periods (school holidays, summer, Christmas).
For connecting flights: If you are transiting through Frankfurt or Munich from a non-Schengen destination and your connection involves a border crossing, factor in EES processing time. If your layover is under two hours, consider whether it is realistic.
Check for EES kiosks: Some airports have begun installing self-service kiosks for EES registration. Ask airport staff on arrival whether these are available and whether you are eligible to use them.
Yes, in most cases. The EES applies to non-EU nationals regardless of their residence status in a Schengen country. Your Aufenthaltstitel does not exempt you from the biometric border checks. However, specific exemptions may apply depending on the type of permit you hold — check with BAMF or consult an immigration lawyer if you are unsure.
The EES is a border registration and tracking system. It records when you enter and exit the Schengen Area, which means it makes it easier for authorities to verify whether someone has overstayed their visa or permit. If your documents are in order, EES itself does not create any new restrictions on your rights. It simply digitizes information that was previously tracked manually.
Officials expect processing to speed up as more automated kiosks are installed and as travelers and border agents become familiar with the system. However, there is no confirmed timeline for when wait times will return to pre-EES levels. For now, assume delays will continue throughout 2025.
This is an emerging legal grey area. Airline policies on rebooking due to border control delays vary. If you miss a flight because of EES queues, document the wait time (take a photo with a timestamp if possible) and contact your airline immediately. Travel insurance that covers missed connections may also apply — check your policy.
The EES rollout is causing real disruption at Germany's busiest airports, and the situation is unlikely to resolve quickly. The most important thing you can do right now is adjust your travel planning: arrive earlier, build buffer time into connections, and stay informed about updates from your airport. If you have an upcoming trip outside the Schengen Area, check Frankfurt or Munich airport's official websites for the latest guidance on EES processing times.
For questions about how EES interacts with your specific residence status, the BAMF website is the official first point of contact, and an immigration lawyer can provide tailored advice.
Source: The Local
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