Swiss Airports Face Longer Waits Under New EU System.
Air travelers arriving in Switzerland from countries outside the Schengen area, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, are experiencing longer waiting times at airports due to the rollout of a new European border control system.
The system, known as the Entry/Exit System (EES), records all entries and exits of non-EU, non-Schengen travelers within the Schengen zone. It applies to passengers who do not hold passports from EU countries or associated states such as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland.
The EES has been gradually introduced and has been fully operational across the Schengen area since April 10. According to EU officials, the system has already registered around 90 million travelers, with approximately two million new registrations processed each week. The system is designed to strengthen border security, track travel movements, and identify security risks more efficiently.
However, the new process has also led to delays at several airports, including those in Switzerland. At Zurich Airport, the system was introduced in November 2025, while Geneva Airport began using it in October 2025. Authorities confirm that first-time registrations require detailed data collection, including personal information, travel document details, and biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images.
Because of these additional requirements, border processing times have increased, especially when multiple long-haul flights arrive at the same time. In some cases, passengers have reported waiting times of up to one to two hours before completing entry procedures.
Airport officials say the system is generally stable and reliable, but they acknowledge that longer queues can occur during peak travel periods. They expect processing times to improve as border staff gain more experience with the new system.
Geneva Airport also experienced significant delays during the winter ski season, when daily passenger numbers exceeded 70,000. On the busiest days, waiting times reached up to two and a half hours, according to airport authorities.
While responsibility for border checks differs between airports, with Zurich managed by cantonal police and Geneva overseen by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security, both authorities confirm that the Entry/Exit System is functioning as intended but requires additional processing time.
Officials emphasize that the system plays an important role in improving security across the Schengen area, even as efforts continue to streamline procedures and reduce waiting times for international travelers.
