On 10 April 2026, the EES (Entry/Exit System) became fully operational at all external borders of the Schengen area. The switch to electronic registration of entries and exits has permanently abolished paper passport stamps and introduced automatic enforcement of the 90/180-day stay rule. At the same time, in the system's first days the border crossing points have seen a noticeable increase in waiting times.
The nakordoni.eu team has examined how the new procedures affect traffic dynamics on the border with Poland and the baseline service time for a single traveller.
Why passport control now takes longer
The main reason for the queues is the more complex inspection algorithm itself. Before EES, the visual check, document scan and stamping took on average 30–60 seconds per person. Now this is supplemented by the mandatory collection of biometric data.
- Initial registration. Everyone crossing the border for the first time after the system's launch undergoes mandatory registration in the EES database.
- Biometric capture. The procedure includes scanning the fingerprints of four fingers of the right hand and taking a digital facial photo at a dedicated terminal.
- Processing time. These steps raise the check for a single person to 2–3 minutes. Additional delays are caused by technical failures when reading fingerprints (particularly for older people) and by language barriers.
Passenger buses bear the heaviest load
The cumulative effect of the increased service time is felt most acutely in the segment of regular and tourist bus services. Processing a single bus carrying 50 passengers who are undergoing initial registration now takes between 2 and 2.5 hours for the passport control stage alone. The need for passengers to leave the vehicle to complete the biometric procedure further slows the logistics and creates a "domino effect" for the vehicles waiting behind. To gauge this stage in advance, in our passenger section we have launched a "Speed Board": it shows how much time a specific carrier actually spends clearing the border on the Ukrainian side — the processing at the checkpoint itself, not the wait in the queue before it — alongside reviews and a rating of more than 580 bus companies.
When traffic will stabilise
The current slowdown is a temporary transition phase. The collected biometric data will be stored in the EES for three years (or until the passport expires). On subsequent crossings the system will only perform a quick automatic verification — matching the face in front of the camera against the existing digital profile, without re-scanning fingerprints. In the long run this should speed up control, as border guards will no longer need to find free space for a stamp.
How to plan your trip during the adaptation period
While the EES is reaching a stable mode of operation, we recommend taking several factors into account when planning your route:
- Avoid peak hours. The lightest load traditionally falls in the middle of the working week (Tuesday–Thursday), whereas weekends and public holidays come with multi-hour congestion.
- Monitor queue status. Before departure, check the current load at the crossing points via eCherha and the official resources of the Polish Border Guard, and review typical-load statistics — for example, on the page for the Krakivets crossing.
- Consider alternative crossings. On the Shehyni–Medyka and Krakivets–Korczowa routes the load remains consistently high. Where possible, choose less busy routes, such as Smilnytsia or Hrushiv.
- Prepare your documents in advance. The rollout of electronic systems does not abolish the basic requirements: travellers must carry proof of the purpose of the trip, a medical insurance policy and evidence of sufficient funds. It is also worth familiarising yourself in advance with the ETIAS system — an electronic travel authorisation that will soon become mandatory for citizens of visa-free countries, including Ukraine.