EU border delays reach two hours for non-EU travelers, warns Berlin Airport chief

The boss of Berlin Airport, Aletta von Massenbach, has reported that non-EU nationals are facing wait times of up to two hours under the newly implemented Entry-Exit System (EES). This warning comes as travel peaks during the summer season, highlighting significant operational issues within the EU's border control framework.

Long Waits Under the New Entry-Exit System

On July 2, 2026, von Massenbach revealed to the BBC that at one terminal where airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air operate, passengers have experienced delays ranging from one to two hours. The EES requires travelers from outside the EU to register biometric data upon entry, which is then verified on departure. While intended to enhance security and efficiency, the system's rollout has been criticized for its inefficiencies.

Reports indicate that the system has encountered frequent operational problems, leading to long queues, especially during peak travel times. Some passengers have even missed their flights due to these delays. Von Massenbach emphasized, "The complexity doesn’t really support smooth processing at the border," pointing to the various sub-systems used by different EU countries as a contributing factor.

Technology Issues at Key Ports

In addition to the challenges faced at airports, the Port of Dover has also struggled with the EES implementation due to technical difficulties. A new processing area featuring 84 kiosks for recording fingerprints and photographs remains non-operational because the necessary technology has not been activated by the French authorities. Doug Bannister, chief executive of the Port of Dover, warned that time is running out ahead of the critical summer travel period.

"We are rapidly heading towards the start of the critical summer period and are yet to receive the assurances we need to avoid what has the potential to be a very challenging six weeks," Bannister stated during a recent meeting with MPs.

Passenger Experiences with EES

Travelers like Anne Robinson from Dunbarton have shared their frustrating experiences with the EES. In June, she and her son Jack missed their flight home from Rome due to excessive waiting times. They arrived at the airport three-and-a-half hours before their flight, only to find that most EES machines were out of order.

Robinson recounted, "We ended up in a queue, I’d say, for about 90 minutes just to get into Rome. Everyone was kind of surprised and complaining, because we couldn’t understand why it was taking so long." After missing their flight, they had to pay £250 for a replacement flight, which was not covered by travel insurance. "I’m not going back to Europe this year," she concluded, citing the stress of the experience.

The European Commission has acknowledged the challenges posed by the EES and has expressed willingness to offer additional support. However, airlines and airport authorities are urging for immediate action to address the ongoing issues, especially with the peak summer travel season approaching.