EES Update

Thanks for the update & yes, recent experiences are really useful. I'm delighted to hear you could use the e-gates exiting, though I think it's kind of strange they added US citizens to some other countries with the EU, hmmmm maybe it's just due to the large number of US visitors?

I'm looking forward (wrong expression) to seeing what the Q's are like in CPH next month, someone mentioned EU passport holders & residents could use the e-gates. I know from my chat with an immigration officer when exiting CPH last month that as a permanent resident I'm exempt from EES, but I won't really believe it until I see the e-gate works! Ha.

I’m flying into Amsterdam next Friday so my question is how is Schiphol airport handling this? We have another flight on KLM to Inverness 3 hours after our arrival.

Judy, are you flying to Amsterdam from the US and then on to Inverness? If all on one ticket, you won't enter the Schengen zone at Amsterdam because you are transferring flights and going to the UK. So you won't do EES at Schiphol but you will need an ETA to enter the UK.

We are flying Delta to Amsterdam and then on a separate ticket flying to Inverness on KLM. We do have our ETA to enter the UK.

I’m flying into Amsterdam next Friday so my question is how is Schiphol airport handling this?

They're handling it as well as most other major airports in Europe but as soon as multiple flights arrive from non-Schengen countries then that's when the big delays occur. No major airport is immune from it and it really is luck of the draw as to whether you'll experience a quick transition or a long one.

In mid August we are flying Delta from US to Copenhagen, with a stop in Amsterdam, having a little over 2 hour layover there. Getting a little antsy reading all the stuff regarding EES .... just going to be the luck of the draw as to how it plays out?

Judy I think you still stay in transit if you do not have checked bags (if you do, then you will probably have to do EES to get your bags, recheck, and go back through security). But more expert people may need to weigh in since you have a separate ticket, I've not done that myself.

jeffh52 if you are on one ticket, you will do EES until arrival in Copenhagen, you will just transit in Amsterdam. [edited to clear up my error per dutch_traveler]

CL ... Thank you so much. Was hoping that was the case but I've seen some confusing stories. Once we get to Copenhagen not concerned about how long the wait is. Thanks again.

Despite the edit, CL’s answer is still NOT correct.
EES stands for Entry Exit System. This means that you go thru EES at your point of entry and exit into and out of the Schengen zone
If you’re on a flight from the US via Amsterdam to Copenhagen, Amsterdam is where you enter the Schengen Zone and it is Amsterdam where you’ll go through EES. The airport is divided into 2 sections; a Schengen side and a non-Schengen side. Your flight from the US will arrive on the non-Schengen side. The only way to reach your gate on the Schengen side of the airport is to go through EES and passport control.

Btw; this is not unique to Amsterdam Airport. The same principle applies to all airports in the Schengen zone; you go through EES and passport control at your first entry point into the Schengen Zone.

I hope Jeffh52 sees this in time before their flight. The 2 hour time between their flights should be enough to go through EES and passport control in Amsterdam, but they should waste no time and immediately go to the EES line as soon as they come off the plane. Once they’re in the Schengen side of the airport can they relax and maybe do some shopping, restroom break etc.

Dutch_traveler's post is also correct for LISBON, and I suspect, every Schengen airport. EES at first IN and last OUT for travellers.

The principle of the Schengen treaty that came into effect back in 1995 is that the systematic border controls between Schengen countries are no longer there. Ever since then, you go through border control when you enter the Schengen area and again when you leave the Schengen area. But not when you travel from one Schengen member state to the other. The introduction of EES didn’t change that. All it did was add another hoop to jump through at the passport control.

And yes, I’m aware that in some cases and under certain circumstances there can be border controls when you travel from one Schengen country to another. But that’s the exception, not the rule

EES CDG

Landed at the airport last Wednesday at about 7 AM. All the kiosk were off and immigration was walk up to the scanner and scan your passport - since I was in business I had a very short line.

At the airport now from my flight home and once again the kiosks are off , and all you did was scan your passport and keep moving.

Of course I got here 3 1/2 hours early because I thought I was going to be stuck in a long line dealing with this so now entertaining myself looking at the fancy stuff in the stores.

I entered the EU at Munich on my way to Croatia. Short line, kiosk couldn't get my ring and little fingerprints, so I had to do 'manual' entry. Still only took maybe 15 minutes. Leaving the EU at Frankfurt was a mess. Too few kiosks, badly laid out so people waiting in line couldn't see open kiosks. Long wait for kiosk, even longer wait at the actual booths with agents because too few agents were working.

While in Croatia I did a day trip to Mostar from Dubrovnik on a mini tour bus(1). That involved leaving the EU and entering Bosnia and Herzegovina. Driver collected all passports to took them into the first (EU) border station, then we all lined up for the facial scan (sans passports of fingerprints). 50-100 yards further a second station to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina. Driver took all passports into the border station, after a while came back out and passed them back. No stamps.
Returning the process in reverse. Again no stamps.

(1) There's not a lot to see in Mostar except the bridge, at least on a day trip. The 'old town' is a couple of streets either side of the bridge, lined with shops selling tourist tat and restaurants/coffee shops/pubs.

Updating my previous post: It took me an hour to clear EES in FRA last Wednesday mid-morning. Fortunately I had a 3 1/2 hour connection (by design). Kiosks were badly arranged so those in line couldn't see which kiosks were open. Not enough agents manning the booths.

Entered the Schengen Zone via GVA on July 17, was my first time with EES. Took me all of 2 minutes at the kiosk and another 60 seconds at the border official - really quick.

On exit via GVA on August 13 it was 45 seconds with the border official (fingerprinting and passport scan) and that was that.

The Swiss part of the system seems to be working well - and it was also one of the first places to implement it, so perhaps they've worked out most of the kinks.