EES process at Munich (MUC) airport

It is my impression that there is no easy answer because at each airport the system may be up and working or may not, and just because it worked on Tuesday, doesn’t mean it will work on Wednesday or Thursday.

Case in point. I am exempt because of my residency. BUT, because of my US Passport and the E Gates not recognizing Residency cards the Hungarians could care less, so I go through the line with all the other Americans. In Madrid I did stop a guard as I was being herded with the Americans and I showed him my residency so he pulled me out of the line to a shortcut to a agent.

But eventually, given a fully functional system:

How the Process Works
• First Entry: Non-EU travelers scan their passport at a self-service kiosk or booth, have a facial photograph taken, and provide four fingerprints.
• Digital File Creation: The system links this biometric and travel document data into a secure electronic file to track the authorized 90-day limit within any 180-day period.
• Subsequent Crossings: On future trips within a three-year validity window, returning travelers only need a quick facial or fingerprint scan rather than a full re-enrollment.
• Exit Tracking: Leaving the Schengen Area logs the departure digitally, automatically calculating if anyone has overstayed their permitted duration.

Key Rules and Scope
• Who it affects: Non-EU citizens (third-country nationals) traveling for short stays up to 90 days, whether they need a visa or are visa-exempt.
• Who is exempt: EU citizens, dual nationals using an EU passport, and non-EU nationals holding valid residence permits or cards for Schengen countries.
• Where it applies: At external air, sea, and land border checkpoints across participating European countries (note that Ireland and Cyprus still use manual stamps).

It’s just going to depend on the lines. In late May, I passed through Munich and had no problem. I would not expect much trouble in November. The kiosk/machine is followed up by a stop at a manned booth, and the only pause in my movement through the airport was at this booth, where the employee continued on her conversation with her colleague for what felt like forever while I stood there waiting.
If you have any leeway still with your seat selection, you could try to sit at front so you can get shave a few minutes off.

It is a longer process in Munich than it was before. We flew through Munich on Lufthansa in early May and came back through Munich in mid-June. Going to Europe we had a similar connection time as you do on your return and there were a lot of flights that arrived at a similar time as ours.

ESS requires collecting biometric data, facial and fingerprints images and Munich has self-service kiosks to do so. The kiosk lines were quite long when we arrived in May. People struggled with the Kiosks especially getting their fingerprint images captured. After the kiosks you must then get in line to be checked by a border control agent, those lines were a little longer than usual. They do have a fast lane for flights leaving within a short window, a screen above the cue lines gives the flights eligible for the fast lane which did make it possible for us to make our connection. The good news at least for transit efficiency is once your fingerprints and facial picture are stored for three years. I cannot tell from the information online if that means you can skip the Kiosks. We not completely understanding the system still used the Kiosks on our return, but maybe it was not necessary and hopefully someone else can answer that. It would save you time on your return if you could.

https://www.munich-airport.com/ees-the-new-entry-exit-system-23802683

From what im reading, the self service kiosks are for first time or expired (3 years) biometric gathering of data. If you’re already in the system, you use the egates or passport control officer.

I really wish, the mod would make a standing FAQ of this subject because it seems to get asked daily. The length of time for going thru EES has not been consistent at any airport for anyone and there’s no way to currently predict what anyone person’s experience is going to be……

at the moment german e-gates can only be used if you are also registered in the Easy Pass system intended for frequent travellers. All of this may change when ETIAS, big brother of EES gets implemented - but that is delayed.....

Thank you to all for quick feedback on your experiences with new EES. With my short connection time, I was hoping to gain some tips on navigating the system; you have all provided that. Fortunately, I have a long layover coming into Munich so I can take some time to observe layout and hopefully get some tips from an agent.