EES Wait Times

Here is a listing of experiences.
https://search.ricksteves.com/?query=EES+line&button=

I will let you find a 'pattern' ( if it exists)

Yes. We just did that not too long ago. Arrived ZRH 8 AM.It took us over an hour to get through passport control. They do your EES as part of that process , if you don't have it already. If you do have it , it's still the same line and would take the same amount of time.

Zurich passport control has always been hit or miss for me. I've walked right through, and I've also waited nearly 90 minutes. That was before EES, so I'd expect the same uncertainty now. The biggest variables are how many flights arrive at the same time and how well passport control is staffed.

Good luck!!

Arrival is not the problem. There have always been passport checks on arrival; airports, customs agents and passport agents are all used to it. Departures is the problem! There have never been departure checks before, and airports just aren't set up with the infrastructure to manage this effectively.

There have never been departure checks before

I've always gone through passport control when departing Europe, except when departing the UK.

There has always been passport control leaving Schengen, at least during my twenty years of travel.

There have never been departure checks before

Whaaaaat? Was I hallucinating that encounter I had on departure with the immigration agent who couldn't find my entry stamp and was giving me a hard time? ( his supervisor found it - problem solved, apology received).

There has always been passport control leaving Schengen

Funny, I've been going for over 20 years and have no recollection of exit checks. That said, my passport does have exit stamps, so I guess there were. Point is, they were so quick and insignificant, I don't even remember them. No longer, thanks to EES.

I think if we all have some patience, EES will be quick and efficient, eventually…..like any new system there’s going to be problems in the beginning.

I completed the EES when I arrived at a another Schengen airport from the US. When I departed from that same airport back to the US, I was told I could do the EES departure check prior to the security check. The security check wasn't open yet and I was waiting in a non-secure area for the security check to open. There were terminals set up in the non-secure area and all I had to do was confirm my departure. When I went through security I was able to bypass all of the people who hadn't known they could have done this departure check ahead of time. So, I suggest you look for EES terminals prior to entering the security line. Usually there are attendants who will answer questions.

Daisy, which airport was that? I’m looking at the major airports in Europe and still haven’t found one that says that upon departure you go thru EES prior to security.