Switzerland Joins France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Amsterdam and Other Schengen Countries as Travellers Face Delays and Increased Processing Time During Peak Hours with the New EU Entry Exit System Across Munich, Zurich, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Munich and More

Written By: Debomita Dutta

Debomita Dutta

As a debater, researcher and writer I have always been passionate about making complex global developments accessible, accurate and impactful. It has always been my aim to combine a strong analytic approach with incredible storytelling - and here at Travel and Tour World I get to do just that! Bridging research, public discourse and meaningful communication through informed and engaging narratives.

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April 30, 2026 17:41 GMT+5:30

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Switzerland joins France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Amsterdam and other Schengen countries as travellers face delays and increased processing time during peak hours under the EU Entry Exit System across Munich, Zurich, Paris, Milan and Madrid, where biometric checks have increased wait times to 2–3 hours and processing times by 25–30%. This is impacting global tourism flows, particularly long-haul arrivals and Schengen entry transit traffic. According to analysis, mandatory fingerprint and facial data capture is extending per-passenger processing time, creating bottlenecks at major European airports.

EU Entry Exit System Expands Across Schengen Borders

The EU Entry/Exit System is a digital border control framework that replaces passport stamping with biometric registration for non-EU travellers, requiring fingerprint and facial data capture. This shift has increased processing time per passenger, particularly for first-time users, contributing to longer queues at major Schengen entry points.

The European Commission confirms that the Entry/Exit System (EES) is designed to strengthen border security and improve monitoring of short-stay visitors entering the Schengen Area. Instead of manual passport stamps, the system records biometric identifiers and entry-exit timestamps digitally. According to official EU documentation, each first-time traveller must provide fingerprints and a facial image, which are stored securely for future verification. While the system enhances border control efficiency over time, its initial phase introduces operational challenges. Processing a single passenger now requires significantly more time compared to traditional checks. When multiple long-haul flights arrive simultaneously, this increased processing requirement compounds into visible congestion. Airports with high intercontinental traffic volumes are therefore experiencing the greatest impact during peak periods.

Switzerland Faces Immediate Operational Pressure at Zurich

Zurich Airport has experienced notable increases in wait times due to biometric enrolment requirements under the EES, particularly during peak arrivals. Swiss authorities and airport operators have acknowledged that simultaneous long-haul arrivals and first-time registrations are key contributors to extended border processing durations.

Switzerland, though not an EU member, participates fully in the Schengen Area and is therefore implementing the EES. Zurich Airport, one of Europe’s most efficient hubs, is now encountering delays during high-traffic windows. According to Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security guidance, biometric enrolment is mandatory for eligible travellers, which extends inspection times. Airport operators have indicated that congestion is most pronounced when multiple wide-body aircraft arrive within a short timeframe. Each passenger requiring biometric capture adds to cumulative processing demand. Swiss International Air Lines has responded by adjusting ground operations and advising passengers to allow additional connection time. The shift signals a structural change in how Switzerland manages inbound international flows.

France Confronts Heavy Passenger Volumes in Paris

Paris airports, particularly Charles de Gaulle, are facing longer queues due to the EES rollout combined with high passenger volumes. French aviation authorities have identified biometric registration as a key factor increasing processing time, especially during peak international arrival periods.

France’s Directorate General for Civil Aviation has highlighted that Paris Charles de Gaulle is among the busiest entry points into the Schengen Area. The introduction of biometric checks has added complexity to border processing at a time when passenger traffic is rebounding strongly. Official data shows that international arrivals, particularly from North America, Asia and the Middle East, have surged in recent months. With each traveller undergoing biometric enrolment, processing lines have lengthened. French authorities are working to expand automated border gates and deploy additional staff, but the transition phase continues to present operational challenges. The pressure is expected to intensify as summer travel demand increases.

Italy Experiences Disruptions Across Milan Gateways

Italian airports, including Milan Malpensa, are reporting longer processing times linked to the EES biometric requirements. Increased verification steps have led to extended queues and occasional missed connections, particularly during peak arrival waves.

Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has acknowledged that the introduction of biometric border systems is reshaping passenger flow dynamics. Milan Malpensa, a key international gateway, is experiencing congestion when long-haul flights arrive in clusters. The requirement for fingerprint and facial image capture slows throughput compared to traditional passport checks. Airport authorities are investing in additional kiosks and digital infrastructure to manage demand, but operational adjustments are still underway. For travellers connecting through Italy, the need for longer transfer times has become increasingly apparent.

Spain Manages Growing Pressure in Madrid and Beyond

Madrid and other Spanish airports are experiencing increased border processing times due to biometric enrolment under the EES. High passenger volumes combined with additional verification steps have resulted in longer queues, particularly during busy travel periods.

Spain’s airport operator AENA has indicated that Madrid-Barajas is seeing rising demand as international travel continues to recover. The implementation of EES adds a new layer of processing that requires both technological infrastructure and passenger adaptation. Spanish authorities are working to integrate automated systems and improve passenger guidance to reduce delays. However, the transition period is marked by slower throughput, particularly for travellers unfamiliar with the biometric process. Spain’s role as a major tourism hub makes efficient adaptation critical to maintaining travel flow.

Germany Encounters Bottlenecks in Frankfurt and Munich

Germany’s major hubs, including Frankfurt and Munich, are experiencing delays linked to biometric processing under the EES. Increased inspection time per traveller and staffing constraints have created bottlenecks during peak hours.

The German Federal Police, responsible for border control, has identified operational pressure points as the system scales. Frankfurt Airport, Europe’s leading intercontinental hub, handles high volumes of transfer passengers, making efficient processing essential. The introduction of biometric checks has extended processing times, particularly for first-time travellers. Munich Airport is facing similar challenges, with congestion building during peak arrivals. German authorities are exploring staffing adjustments and technological upgrades, but the scale of demand continues to test system capacity.

Amsterdam Navigates Hub Complexity at Schiphol

Amsterdam Schiphol is experiencing increased processing times due to the EES, particularly affecting transfer passengers. The hub’s complex connectivity model makes it sensitive to delays caused by extended biometric verification procedures.

The Netherlands’ Royal Marechaussee oversees border control operations at Schiphol, where high passenger turnover amplifies the impact of additional processing steps. The airport’s role as a global transit hub means that even small delays can cascade across connecting flights. Authorities are implementing phased improvements, including additional kiosks and digital support systems. However, the introduction of biometric verification continues to challenge throughput efficiency, particularly during peak intercontinental arrival periods.

System-Wide Impact on European Aviation Networks

The EES is causing network-wide delays across Schengen airports by increasing processing time per passenger, leading to longer queues, missed connections and operational inefficiencies. The impact is most visible during peak hours and at major international hubs.

Airports Council International Europe has warned that the transition to biometric border systems requires significant infrastructure investment and operational adjustment. The cumulative effect of longer processing times is being felt across airline networks, particularly for tightly scheduled connections. Airlines are revising minimum connection times and advising passengers to allow additional buffer. The system’s long-term benefits—improved security and digital tracking—are clear, but short-term disruption remains a significant challenge. As passenger volumes rise, the balance between security and efficiency becomes increasingly critical.

Future Outlook and Adaptation Across Schengen

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Over time, the EES is expected to improve efficiency as repeat travellers no longer require full biometric enrolment, reducing processing time. However, in the near term, airports must expand infrastructure and staffing to manage increased demand. The European Commission has stated that the system will become more efficient as biometric databases mature and travellers become familiar with the process. Repeat entries will require less time, easing congestion gradually. In the interim, airports are investing in automated kiosks, digital pre-registration tools and staff training. Travellers are advised to prepare in advance and allow additional time for border procedures. The success of the EES will ultimately depend on how quickly infrastructure and passenger behaviour align with the new system.

In conclusion, Switzerland alongside France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Amsterdam and other Schengen countries are now facing delays and increased processing time during peak hours under the EU Entry Exit System across Munich, Zurich, Paris, Milan, Madrid and more due to the shift to mandatory biometric border verification. The requirement to capture fingerprints and facial data for each traveller has slowed throughput at major airports, particularly during concentrated arrival waves. This has disrupted schedules, extended queues and reduced connection reliability across Europe’s busiest hubs. While the system is designed to enhance border control efficiency and security in the long term, the current transition phase is creating operational strain. As capacity expands and repeat travellers move faster through the system, processing times are expected to gradually improve.