European airports are experiencing significant disruptions as the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) officially goes live today, requiring all non-EU travelers to undergo biometric registration upon arrival.www.visahq.com The six-month transition period has ended, and from April 1, 2026, fingerprints and facial images of third-country nationals are now being captured in a central database at border checkpoints across all 29 Schengen member states. Major German airports including Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, and Munich have installed hundreds of self-service kiosks to process travelers, but airport operators acknowledge that the learning curve will result in extended processing times, particularly during the Easter holiday period. The federal police have redeployed 450 officers to assist with the transition and are urging airlines to stagger arrivals during peak morning hours.

Industry groups and travel experts are warning passengers to prepare for substantial delays at border crossings. Travelers should expect 1–2 hour waits at peak times, with industry associations cautioning that queues could potentially exceed 4 hours during summer peak season if all checks proceed without relief measures.www.altexsoft.com The system requires all non-EU nationals—including frequent flyers—to complete biometric registration once every three years, though holders of diplomatic passports and EU residence permits are exempt. Companies are being advised to budget extra time for connecting flights and instruct mobile workers to carry printed proof of onward travel in case of system glitches.

While the immediate outlook involves operational challenges, authorities predict that longer-term efficiency will improve as electronic gates multiply and manual passport stamping is phased out entirely. The EES is also a prerequisite for ETIAS, a €7 travel authorization that will become mandatory for visa-exempt visitors by the end of 2026. Travel-management firms are updating booking platforms to automatically flag both requirements during itinerary creation to help travelers prepare in advance.