Key Takeaways:
- EES biometric checks at Copenhagen Airport still cause queues exceeding one hour for non-EU arrivals.
- Police use only three gates for checks, despite multiple simultaneous arrivals from outside Schengen.
- Delays persist even with few passengers ahead, as each person must be processed individually.
Long Waits at Copenhagen Airport
More than six months after the introduction of the new Entry/Exit System (EES) at Copenhagen Airport, passengers are still facing frustrating delays. Ian Wilkinson, who works in the marine industry, reported waiting an hour and ten minutes just for passport control after arriving last Friday.
"It wasn't an hour and 10 minutes from landing, it was an hour and 10 minutes from getting off the plane, walking all the way down, going down the stairs, and starting to queue," he told The Local. "People were just resigned to it, because the majority of us were Brits, and we're used to queueing, I suppose."
The airport began implementing EES biometric checks in October 2025, with non-EU travelers from outside the Schengen Area required to provide fingerprints and photos at border control. By April 2026, the airport announced the system was fully implemented. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
Bottlenecks at the Gates
Wilkinson pointed out that Danish police were only operating EES checks at three gates, despite multiple flights from non-Schengen countries arriving at the same time. "It just could have been better," he added. "These planes all arrived on time, so it wasn't like a surprise."
Computer engineer Ian Gaze experienced a different but equally time-consuming issue. Even with only four or five people ahead of him, the process dragged on. "It took a long time, because they had to take each child, each grown-up, and one-by-one, take a picture, and take the fingerprints."
Residency Card Holders Not Spared
Gaze noted that an officer on duty insisted on taking biometrics even from travelers holding residency cards, ignoring complaints that the authorities already had their data on record. This added to the frustration and delay.
At the time of the April announcement, police inspector Claus Birkelyng from Copenhagen police conceded that processing could take "a bit longer" for non-Schengen citizens due to the biometric registration. He added that the police are "in general, happy with the way it has been rolled out."
What This Means for Travelers
The ongoing delays highlight a gap between official statements and passenger experiences. For travelers arriving from outside the Schengen Area—including British citizens—it's wise to budget extra time for passport control upon arrival.
- Expect potential queues of an hour or more, especially during peak hours.
- Have your travel documents ready and be prepared for fingerprinting and photo scanning.
- If you hold a residency card, be aware that officers may still require biometric registration.
The Local has contacted Copenhagen Police for average wait times but has not yet received a response. For now, patience remains the best travel companion.
For the latest updates on EES implementation and border policies across Europe, stay tuned to SchengenTracker.