European Entry/Exit System (EES) - experiences as BA passengers | master thread
Feb 15, 2026 | 8:55 am
#376
Join Date: Apr 2024
Posts: 121
TRN today, inbound.
Pulsing the queue to avoids lines on the stairs down to the arrivals hall.
All lanes being used, with European passports seemingly in with the rest. Family lanes and adult/over 14s lanes also open.
About a third of the folks were being diverted to the kiosks first, but we were directed straight to the e-gates instead, Once through there it was a quick manual stamp.
Probably 30-40mins - so bags were already out.
Pulsing the queue to avoids lines on the stairs down to the arrivals hall.
All lanes being used, with European passports seemingly in with the rest. Family lanes and adult/over 14s lanes also open.
About a third of the folks were being diverted to the kiosks first, but we were directed straight to the e-gates instead, Once through there it was a quick manual stamp.
Probably 30-40mins - so bags were already out.
Feb 15, 2026 | 11:49 am
#377
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: E14, LON
Programs: Virtuoso TA; BA Gold; AY Plat; WoH Explorist; Hilton Honors Diamond;
Posts: 273
CGN:
arrival 13-Feb. A few kiosks for registration, but no staff to direct people there. I used one (another re-registration for the umpteeth time). Then there were separate queues for those that had pre registered (which I assume meant used the kiosk) and those that had not, but all queues to manned desks (no eGates). The pre-registered queue was much shorter, but still quite busy - including by people who appeared not to have used the kiosk by what happened at the desk (ie they did face scan and fingerprints, I did not).
a Pegasus flight had arrived shortly before, so long queues all around. 40 min wait, but would have been *much* longer in the other queue.
My husband, with his EU passport was, unsurprisingly, through the automated gates without any wait.
Inbound
as there was no queue at the EU manned desks, chanced our luck - but told although the border guard could access the EES system he is not allowed to stamp the passport (?!) - he was very apologetic though.
Queue for the non-EU exit was 65 minutes to exit. Everyone seemed to have to do face and fingerprints again, and I assume something went wrong with my entry as the guard entered all my arrival details again manually.
A few bits of drama in the queue which people asking to cut to the front and being told, very strictly by a border guard, that that was not allowed and getting sent to the back etc.
arrival 13-Feb. A few kiosks for registration, but no staff to direct people there. I used one (another re-registration for the umpteeth time). Then there were separate queues for those that had pre registered (which I assume meant used the kiosk) and those that had not, but all queues to manned desks (no eGates). The pre-registered queue was much shorter, but still quite busy - including by people who appeared not to have used the kiosk by what happened at the desk (ie they did face scan and fingerprints, I did not).
a Pegasus flight had arrived shortly before, so long queues all around. 40 min wait, but would have been *much* longer in the other queue.
My husband, with his EU passport was, unsurprisingly, through the automated gates without any wait.
Inbound
as there was no queue at the EU manned desks, chanced our luck - but told although the border guard could access the EES system he is not allowed to stamp the passport (?!) - he was very apologetic though.
Queue for the non-EU exit was 65 minutes to exit. Everyone seemed to have to do face and fingerprints again, and I assume something went wrong with my entry as the guard entered all my arrival details again manually.
A few bits of drama in the queue which people asking to cut to the front and being told, very strictly by a border guard, that that was not allowed and getting sent to the back etc.
Feb 16, 2026 | 2:56 am
#378
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: MAD
Programs: BA Gold; LH Senator; SAS Gold; Bonvoy Gold; Radisson VIP
Posts: 1,816
Ive seen some posts above referring to kiosk use in departures! Why on earth would anyone need to visit a kiosk when departing (apart from London St Pancras station), as by definition youd be registered already?
Just when I think they cant make it any worse. What planet are they on!?
Just when I think they cant make it any worse. What planet are they on!?
1) Anyone who was already in Schengen when EES was introduced wouldn't have registered on entry.
2) Since EES is only working half the time (if that, based on this thread), there's a good chance that people will still be entering Schengen without registering, so might be asked to register on departure instead.
Feb 16, 2026 | 7:49 am
#379
Join Date: Oct 2025
Location: London UK
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Silver
Posts: 58
Two really obvious reasons:
1) Anyone who was already in Schengen when EES was introduced wouldn't have registered on entry.
2) Since EES is only working half the time (if that, based on this thread), there's a good chance that people will still be entering Schengen without registering, so might be asked to register on departure instead.
1) Anyone who was already in Schengen when EES was introduced wouldn't have registered on entry.
2) Since EES is only working half the time (if that, based on this thread), there's a good chance that people will still be entering Schengen without registering, so might be asked to register on departure instead.
Feb 16, 2026 | 8:01 am
#380
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 30
BLQ
So for Bologna last Saturday, everyone was sent upstairs to the kiosks. The model seems to be a helper for every two kiosks; when we got there only two staff present so 4 out of 20 kiosks were open. Another flight followed shortly behind us so about 10 kiosks opened.
Despite having travelled through LIN three weeks ago, I had to go through registration again. Helpers were very focussed on putting a green sticker on passports, which nobody checked downstairs. My passport didnt work at the egate so was directed around them to the stamping point (my wifes did work and she had to do photo and fingerprints again). Just a cursory look at my passport and it was stamped.
Took about 30 minutes in total. Massively over-engineered given that the sole purpose of the kiosks seems to be the standard questions.
Despite having travelled through LIN three weeks ago, I had to go through registration again. Helpers were very focussed on putting a green sticker on passports, which nobody checked downstairs. My passport didnt work at the egate so was directed around them to the stamping point (my wifes did work and she had to do photo and fingerprints again). Just a cursory look at my passport and it was stamped.
Took about 30 minutes in total. Massively over-engineered given that the sole purpose of the kiosks seems to be the standard questions.
Feb 16, 2026 | 8:32 am
#381
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Cheshire
Programs: BA, Accor, Hilton, ITA
Posts: 558
AMS Friday afternoon. The escalator down at end of D gates had a clear sign EU only, other passports towards the walk to the right. This is usually the exit point for everyone later in the evening. The queue seemed small but in fact about a 30-40 minute wait as most pax in front were in the needing a Visa category, so questions and photos. There were some EES kiosks to the left but all covered up and e gates closed as well. Only 2 border officers. Got there and had brief chat but he didn’t do any photo or fingerprints, just a quick glance and a stamp. I asked about the kiosks being closed and also the hall at the end of D gates. He said system currently suspended, but we could have used the other Hall nearer D gates, and the sign perhaps was misleading! As a footnote, our cabin crew went past the Crew exit after we’d been queuing for perhaps 25 minutes.
Outbound Sunday afternoon. Fast track as always was quick, but had to declare my butter knives just to be sure! They were fine. I was then expecting the usual guided to the left to join the general queue to the border with the other passengers, but for the first time I can recall, we were directed into the Crew/Privium lane to the right, with just one other person in front. So thru in a few minutes with just the exit stamp. That really saved a lot of time as the regular e gates queues were probably 10 deep for all 6 of them, with still a single line behind them.
Outbound Sunday afternoon. Fast track as always was quick, but had to declare my butter knives just to be sure! They were fine. I was then expecting the usual guided to the left to join the general queue to the border with the other passengers, but for the first time I can recall, we were directed into the Crew/Privium lane to the right, with just one other person in front. So thru in a few minutes with just the exit stamp. That really saved a lot of time as the regular e gates queues were probably 10 deep for all 6 of them, with still a single line behind them.
Feb 16, 2026 | 9:55 am
#382
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: England
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 715
I have my first visit to Europe since the changes next week arriving into MUN late morning on 26th - a Thursday- anyone with recent experience ?
Im in CE on this one , so. could try a fast walk if it helps ! Ive no idea as never been to Munich before.
Return leg 14:55 on the Sunday.
Im in CE on this one , so. could try a fast walk if it helps ! Ive no idea as never been to Munich before.
Return leg 14:55 on the Sunday.
Feb 16, 2026 | 12:15 pm
#383
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,466
Madrid - inbound Thursday at noon, returning Sunday at 15.50.
Inbound was an absolute mess. Queues outside the hall and approximately 2.5h from touchdown to baggage hall. Around 15% of terminals working, very slow moving and simply overwhelmed. I was one of the lucky few selected for the EES self-service and it processed me very quickly with no intrusive questions although I did have to give consent (other lawful bases are available!)
Outbound was slightly better - non-EU pax segregated at the escalators, made to queue for a small number of machines (all unsupervised) and then basically swiping on the first machine, then taking the train, queuing (again, segregated into a full hall), then using the terminal again before getting the stamp. Machines were refusing to read my passport and then rebooted. Definite redundancy, no skipping for passengers who've already registered, and hugely inefficient but nothing I could personally complain about.
Inbound was an absolute mess. Queues outside the hall and approximately 2.5h from touchdown to baggage hall. Around 15% of terminals working, very slow moving and simply overwhelmed. I was one of the lucky few selected for the EES self-service and it processed me very quickly with no intrusive questions although I did have to give consent (other lawful bases are available!)
Outbound was slightly better - non-EU pax segregated at the escalators, made to queue for a small number of machines (all unsupervised) and then basically swiping on the first machine, then taking the train, queuing (again, segregated into a full hall), then using the terminal again before getting the stamp. Machines were refusing to read my passport and then rebooted. Definite redundancy, no skipping for passengers who've already registered, and hugely inefficient but nothing I could personally complain about.
Feb 16, 2026 | 3:17 pm
#384
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 111
Arrived in to NCE Terminal 1 last Friday. Kiosks were covered up (as they have been the last 3 times I arrived). Photo and fingerprints taken at the desk. We were the only flight that arrived around that time so was through in under 5 minutes.
On departure passport just stamped, no further photo or fingerprints. Friends we travelled with had photo and fingerprints on departure, so no consistency.
And further to the posts above about kiosks in the departure area, at NCE T1 there is a row of about 7 kiosks right after security.
On departure passport just stamped, no further photo or fingerprints. Friends we travelled with had photo and fingerprints on departure, so no consistency.
And further to the posts above about kiosks in the departure area, at NCE T1 there is a row of about 7 kiosks right after security.
Feb 16, 2026 | 4:39 pm
#385
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 101
Madrid - inbound Thursday at noon, returning Sunday at 15.50.
Inbound was an absolute mess. Queues outside the hall and approximately 2.5h from touchdown to baggage hall. Around 15% of terminals working, very slow moving and simply overwhelmed. I was one of the lucky few selected for the EES self-service and it processed me very quickly with no intrusive questions although I did have to give consent (other lawful bases are available!)
Inbound was an absolute mess. Queues outside the hall and approximately 2.5h from touchdown to baggage hall. Around 15% of terminals working, very slow moving and simply overwhelmed. I was one of the lucky few selected for the EES self-service and it processed me very quickly with no intrusive questions although I did have to give consent (other lawful bases are available!)
Apparently it wasnt a problem for her once we got stopped by police while driving in Cortina today (lots of law enforcement here for the Olympics). Police demanded all passengers IDs and her stamp-less passport was fine.
Last edited by edo01; Feb 16, 2026 at 4:44 pm
Feb 16, 2026 | 4:56 pm
#386
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA GGL & GfL, AA LTP, Marriott (sigh) Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Accor Gold, Avis Preferred
Posts: 3,462
both ways--inbound and outbound at MAD this weekend--i was the only non EU passport to approach the desks so it is certainly a YMMV, but in both instances it was the old school process, no machines.
Feb 19, 2026 | 1:37 am
#388
Join Date: May 2018
Location: BLQ 🇮🇹
Programs: BA GGL, Cartafreccia Oro
Posts: 255
Departing VCE flying BA to LHR. UK Passport holder, but Italian residency card means I must not enrol in EES as the limits do not apply to me.
The UK passport holders that could register for EES had it easy from what I could see, plenty of machines to register on and also plenty of EES egates. There was no queue for these at any point that I was waiting (about 40 minutes).
I was told I had to use the manual all passports line, which had a big queue moving slowing. I couldnt go to the manual EU line which effectively skips the queue to the desks as processing me is quick. Passport scan, check of residency card, then they tap something into the computer (presumably to indicate my exemption of EES) and off I go. But I have to wait behind all the people from countries Italy dont allow to use the egates and they all need photos and fingerprints so it was slow. Despite me arriving at the passport line 90 minutes before departure, boarding was almost complete when I got through, mainly because those flying on TK, QR and EK which all departed later than BA had decided to turn up super early.
Theres not many facilities after passport control due to the set up of the airport thats typical of many smaller airports in the Schengen zone.
it seems odd that in the many years of planning of EES theyve provided a system that makes it a total pain for legal residents when it should make the process simpler.
TL;DR for VCE
UK citizen (or other country that can use egates) using EES - fine, process seemed quick
Citizen for country not able to use egates - slow manual process, although they had most windows open
Residents of Italy from non-EU countries - expect to be stuck in the long slow queue with the others who cant use egates
The UK passport holders that could register for EES had it easy from what I could see, plenty of machines to register on and also plenty of EES egates. There was no queue for these at any point that I was waiting (about 40 minutes).
I was told I had to use the manual all passports line, which had a big queue moving slowing. I couldnt go to the manual EU line which effectively skips the queue to the desks as processing me is quick. Passport scan, check of residency card, then they tap something into the computer (presumably to indicate my exemption of EES) and off I go. But I have to wait behind all the people from countries Italy dont allow to use the egates and they all need photos and fingerprints so it was slow. Despite me arriving at the passport line 90 minutes before departure, boarding was almost complete when I got through, mainly because those flying on TK, QR and EK which all departed later than BA had decided to turn up super early.
Theres not many facilities after passport control due to the set up of the airport thats typical of many smaller airports in the Schengen zone.
it seems odd that in the many years of planning of EES theyve provided a system that makes it a total pain for legal residents when it should make the process simpler.
TL;DR for VCE
UK citizen (or other country that can use egates) using EES - fine, process seemed quick
Citizen for country not able to use egates - slow manual process, although they had most windows open
Residents of Italy from non-EU countries - expect to be stuck in the long slow queue with the others who cant use egates
Last edited by SaveECRewards; Feb 19, 2026 at 1:46 am
Feb 19, 2026 | 2:38 am
#389
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 9,302
Departing VCE flying BA to LHR. UK Passport holder, but Italian residency card means I must not enrol in EES as the limits do not apply to me.
The UK passport holders that could register for EES had it easy from what I could see, plenty of machines to register on and also plenty of EES egates. There was no queue for these at any point that I was waiting (about 40 minutes).
I was told I had to use the manual all passports line, which had a big queue moving slowing. I couldnt go to the manual EU line which effectively skips the queue to the desks as processing me is quick. Passport scan, check of residency card, then they tap something into the computer (presumably to indicate my exemption of EES) and off I go. But I have to wait behind all the people from countries Italy dont allow to use the egates and they all need photos and fingerprints so it was slow. Despite me arriving at the passport line 90 minutes before departure, boarding was almost complete when I got through, mainly because those flying on TK, QR and EK which all departed later than BA had decided to turn up super early.
Theres not many facilities after passport control due to the set up of the airport thats typical of many smaller airports in the Schengen zone.
it seems odd that in the many years of planning of EES theyve provided a system that makes it a total pain for legal residents when it should make the process simpler.
TL;DR for VCE
UK citizen (or other country that can use egates) using EES - fine, process seemed quick
Citizen for country not able to use egates - slow manual process, although they had most windows open
Residents of Italy from non-EU countries - expect to be stuck in the long slow queue with the others who cant use egates
The UK passport holders that could register for EES had it easy from what I could see, plenty of machines to register on and also plenty of EES egates. There was no queue for these at any point that I was waiting (about 40 minutes).
I was told I had to use the manual all passports line, which had a big queue moving slowing. I couldnt go to the manual EU line which effectively skips the queue to the desks as processing me is quick. Passport scan, check of residency card, then they tap something into the computer (presumably to indicate my exemption of EES) and off I go. But I have to wait behind all the people from countries Italy dont allow to use the egates and they all need photos and fingerprints so it was slow. Despite me arriving at the passport line 90 minutes before departure, boarding was almost complete when I got through, mainly because those flying on TK, QR and EK which all departed later than BA had decided to turn up super early.
Theres not many facilities after passport control due to the set up of the airport thats typical of many smaller airports in the Schengen zone.
it seems odd that in the many years of planning of EES theyve provided a system that makes it a total pain for legal residents when it should make the process simpler.
TL;DR for VCE
UK citizen (or other country that can use egates) using EES - fine, process seemed quick
Citizen for country not able to use egates - slow manual process, although they had most windows open
Residents of Italy from non-EU countries - expect to be stuck in the long slow queue with the others who cant use egates
british embassy in prague has agreed with czech government that uk passport holders with czech residency can use the eu manual desks
In poland i find different airports tell me different rules. I may just start using the eu manual desks and see what happens
Feb 19, 2026 | 2:40 am
#390
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 101
Departing VCE flying BA to LHR. UK Passport holder, but Italian residency card means I must not enrol in EES as the limits do not apply to me.
The UK passport holders that could register for EES had it easy from what I could see, plenty of machines to register on and also plenty of EES egates. There was no queue for these at any point that I was waiting (about 40 minutes).
I was told I had to use the manual all passports line, which had a big queue moving slowing. I couldnt go to the manual EU line which effectively skips the queue to the desks as processing me is quick. Passport scan, check of residency card, then they tap something into the computer (presumably to indicate my exemption of EES) and off I go. But I have to wait behind all the people from countries Italy dont allow to use the egates and they all need photos and fingerprints so it was slow. Despite me arriving at the passport line 90 minutes before departure, boarding was almost complete when I got through, mainly because those flying on TK, QR and EK which all departed later than BA had decided to turn up super early.
Theres not many facilities after passport control due to the set up of the airport thats typical of many smaller airports in the Schengen zone.
it seems odd that in the many years of planning of EES theyve provided a system that makes it a total pain for legal residents when it should make the process simpler.
TL;DR for VCE
UK citizen (or other country that can use egates) using EES - fine, process seemed quick
Citizen for country not able to use egates - slow manual process, although they had most windows open
Residents of Italy from non-EU countries - expect to be stuck in the long slow queue with the others who cant use egates
The UK passport holders that could register for EES had it easy from what I could see, plenty of machines to register on and also plenty of EES egates. There was no queue for these at any point that I was waiting (about 40 minutes).
I was told I had to use the manual all passports line, which had a big queue moving slowing. I couldnt go to the manual EU line which effectively skips the queue to the desks as processing me is quick. Passport scan, check of residency card, then they tap something into the computer (presumably to indicate my exemption of EES) and off I go. But I have to wait behind all the people from countries Italy dont allow to use the egates and they all need photos and fingerprints so it was slow. Despite me arriving at the passport line 90 minutes before departure, boarding was almost complete when I got through, mainly because those flying on TK, QR and EK which all departed later than BA had decided to turn up super early.
Theres not many facilities after passport control due to the set up of the airport thats typical of many smaller airports in the Schengen zone.
it seems odd that in the many years of planning of EES theyve provided a system that makes it a total pain for legal residents when it should make the process simpler.
TL;DR for VCE
UK citizen (or other country that can use egates) using EES - fine, process seemed quick
Citizen for country not able to use egates - slow manual process, although they had most windows open
Residents of Italy from non-EU countries - expect to be stuck in the long slow queue with the others who cant use egates
I bet they have to increase the number of eGates in certain airports first before expanding the categories allowed.
At least for now they should create a resident-only lane or allow residents to use EU lanes, something that is explicitly not allowed by current regulations.