Watching the clock as I report for stamp duty

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 3, 2026

Berlin Airport is experiencing major delays as the EU’s new biometric entry and exit system is implemented, with manual passport stamping causing long waits despite the presence of electronic gates. These issues highlight operational challenges that undermine the system's goal to expedite border control and suggest a need for improved use of automated technology.

Travelers arriving at Berlin Airport are experiencing significant delays due to the current implementation of the European Union’s entry and exit biometric system, despite its aim to streamline border control procedures. Passengers report lengthy waits and minimal use of electronic gates, raising questions about the effectiveness of the new system.

The entry and exit framework requires travelers to submit biometric data—such as photographs and fingerprints—upon their first visit to an EU member state. This information is intended to facilitate faster passage through automated e-gates on subsequent entries. However, numerous passengers arriving from flights, including those from Gatwick Airport, describe slow processing times as border officials manually stamp passports instead of relying on the electronic system.

One traveler recounted waiting nearly an hour on a Sunday evening for a single border official to process an entire flight’s passengers. Frustrations mounted upon departure, with travelers facing queues of over 100 people while only a handful of officials verified biometric data and manually stamped documents. Despite the presence of unmanned e-gates designed to scan irises and verify identities, these remain largely unused.

The delays contrast sharply with the traveler’s experience returning to the United Kingdom, where German citizens reportedly benefit from swift access through automated gates at Gatwick Airport. This discrepancy has drawn criticism, with concerns that the full potential of the biometric system is not being realized on the German side, undermining the intended efficiency gains.

Authorities have not provided an official explanation for the limited operation of the e-gates or the continued reliance on ink stamps. While the manual process may serve as a safeguard against overstayers, travelers suggest it negates the purpose of collecting biometric data for expedited processing.

The current situation underscores challenges in implementing uniform biometric systems across EU member states and highlights the need for improved infrastructure or operational protocols to reduce border wait times. Until adjustments are made, both travelers and border officials may continue to face inefficiencies that belie the promises of digital entry and exit controls.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.