Key Takeaways:
- Passengers report waits of over an hour for EES biometric checks at Copenhagen Airport, six months after implementation.
- Only three gates were used for checks despite multiple non-Schengen arrivals, causing bottlenecks.
- Police acknowledge processing may take longer but claim rollout is satisfactory.
Frustration Mounts at Copenhagen Airport
More than six months after EES biometric border checks began at Copenhagen Airport, travelers are still facing significant delays. Ian Wilkinson, a marine industry worker, endured a 70-minute queue 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."
What Are EES Checks?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new EU border control system that requires non-EU travelers from outside the Schengen Area to provide fingerprints and a photograph at border control. Copenhagen Airport began rolling out these checks in October 2024 and announced full implementation in April 2025.
Bottlenecks at Border Control
Wilkinson noted that Danish police were only operating EES checks at three gates, despite multiple flights from outside Schengen 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."
Another passenger, computer engineer Ian Gaze, reported that even with only four or five people ahead of him, the process was time-consuming.
"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 Cards Ignored
Gaze also highlighted that officers insisted on taking biometrics from travelers holding residency cards, ignoring complaints that the authorities already had their data on record.
This suggests a lack of flexibility in the system, potentially adding unnecessary delays for frequent travelers.
Police Response
In April, police inspector Claus Birkelyng from Copenhagen police acknowledged that processing for non-Schengen citizens could take "a bit longer" due to the need to register biometric data. However, he stated that police are "in general, happy with the way it has been rolled out."
The Local has reached out to Copenhagen Police for average wait time data, but no response has been received yet.
What Travelers Should Know
If you're flying into Copenhagen from outside the Schengen Area, expect potential delays at passport control. Here are some tips:
- Allow extra time after landing, especially during peak hours.
- Have your travel documents ready to speed up the biometric process.
- Be prepared for fingerprinting and photo capture, even if you hold a residency card.
The Bigger Picture
The EES is being introduced across the EU to enhance border security and track overstays. While Copenhagen Airport has fully implemented the system, the experience shows that operational challenges remain. Similar issues have been reported at other European airports, raising questions about preparedness.
For now, travelers should plan accordingly and hope for improvements as authorities refine the process.