Key Takeaways:
- EES biometric checks at Copenhagen Airport remain slow, with waits over an hour.
- Six months after full rollout, police staff only three gates for multiple arrivals.
- Travelers criticize lack of preparation and slow processing per passenger.
Six Months of EES Chaos at Copenhagen Airport
More than six months after EES biometric border checks began at Copenhagen Airport, passengers are still reporting queues of longer than an hour just to get through passport control. The new system, which requires fingerprints and photos for non-EU travelers arriving from outside the Schengen Area, was meant to enhance security but has become a bottleneck for travelers.
Ian Wilkinson, who works in the marine industry, faced a 75-minute wait 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."
Limited Gates and Simultaneous Arrivals Worsen Delays
Wilkinson noted that Danish police were only carrying out EES checks at three gates, despite several flights arriving from outside the Schengen Area simultaneously. "It just could have been better," he added. "These planes all arrived on time, so it wasn't like a surprise."
Ian Gaze, a computer engineer, experienced delays even with just four or five people ahead of him. "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." In his case, the officer insisted on taking biometrics even from those holding residency cards, ignoring complaints that their data was already on file.
Police Acknowledge Slower Processing but Defend Rollout
Back in April, when the airport announced full implementation, police inspector Claus Birkelyng from Copenhagen police conceded that registration could take "a bit longer" for non-Schengen citizens due to biometric data collection. He added that the police are "in general, happy with the way it has been rolled out."
The Local has contacted Copenhagen Police requesting details of average wait times.
What Travelers Should Know
- EES checks apply to non-EU travelers arriving from outside Schengen.
- Fast-track options are currently limited, so allow extra time.
- Residency card holders may still face biometric checks despite previous registration.
"The key frustration is predictability — if flights arrive together, queues explode," said one travel expert.
Bottom Line
While EES is meant to strengthen EU border security, its implementation at Copenhagen remains a pain point for travelers. Until police deploy more staff or streamline the process, passengers should expect significant delays during peak arrival times.