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Europe Visa Check

EES Processing Times at the Border

How long does the biometric check take?

~1 min
First-time registration
~10 sec
Returning travelers

Time Breakdown by Scenario

🆕
First Entry ~1 minute Passport scan + fingerprints + facial image
🔄
Return Visit ~10 seconds Facial recognition only
🤖
ABC Gate ~15 seconds Automated gate with biometric match
🛂
Manual Booth ~1-2 minutes Officer-assisted processing

First-Time Registration

When you first enter the Schengen Area after EES launches, the full registration process applies. A border officer or automated kiosk will:

  1. Scan your passport (electronic chip read)
  2. Capture 4 fingerprints (index and middle finger of each hand)
  3. Take a live facial image
  4. Record your entry in the central system

The entire process typically takes about 1 minute. It may take slightly longer at busy land borders or if there are technical issues with the scanners.

Returning Travelers

On subsequent visits, EES already has your biometrics on file. You'll only need:

  1. Passport scan
  2. Quick facial verification (matches against your stored image)

This takes approximately 10 seconds. At automated border gates, it can be even faster — the gate opens as soon as your face is matched.

Automated Border Control (ABC) Gates

The fastest way through EES is via ABC gates — self-service kiosks that handle the entire process electronically. You scan your passport, look at the camera, and (on first visit) provide fingerprints without interacting with an officer.

Major Schengen airports like Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt, Paris CDG, and Madrid Barajas are deploying ABC gates specifically designed for EES. Not all airports will have them from day one, but coverage is expanding.

Tips for Faster Processing

  • Arrive early — Allow extra time at the airport, especially during the initial rollout period
  • Have your passport ready — Open to the photo page before reaching the booth
  • Use ABC gates when available — They're faster than manual booths
  • Remove glasses and hats — This speeds up facial recognition
  • Expect longer queues initially — First-time registrations will slow things down in the early months

Related EES Information

How EES Works

Step-by-step border process

Biometric Registration

What data is collected and your rights

EES Overview

Complete guide to the Entry/Exit System

Processing Time FAQs

Will airport queues be much longer with EES?
During the initial rollout, queues may be longer as most travelers will be first-time registrants. Over time, as more travelers have their biometrics in the system, the process will speed up significantly. Airlines and airports recommend arriving earlier than usual during the first few months.
How long does EES take at a land border?
Land border processing times are similar — about 1 minute for first-time registration. However, queues at busy land crossings (like between Finland and Russia, or Croatia and Bosnia) may be longer due to limited infrastructure compared to airports.
What if there's a system outage?
In the event of a technical failure, border officers will process travelers using the existing manual procedure. Travel will not be halted due to EES technical issues.
Does EES processing add time beyond normal passport control?
For first-time travelers, yes — about 30-60 seconds extra for biometric capture. For returning travelers, EES may actually be faster than the old passport stamping process, especially at automated gates.
Should I arrive earlier at the airport because of EES?
During the first few months after launch, yes — adding 15-30 minutes to your usual arrival time is sensible. As the system matures and more travelers are already registered, processing times will normalize.

Related Information

ETIAS Processing Time Schengen Calculator ETIAS Guide

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