The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) at Munich Airport registers non-EU travelers digitally at border control, replacing manual passport stamping. EES affects all non-Schengen nationals and may increase waiting times at passport control. Grand Europa supports international arrivals with VIP transfer and personal coordination at Munich Airport.
Since 10 April 2026, the European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational at all Schengen borders — including Munich Airport. If you are a non-EU passport holder travelling to Germany for medical treatment, business or tourism, here is what you need to know.
The EES is an automated digital system that replaces manual passport stamping. Every time a non-EU national enters or leaves the Schengen area, the system records their name, passport data, fingerprints and a facial photograph. The system automatically calculates how many days remain of the allowed 90-day stay within a 180-day period.
The goal is to strengthen border security and prevent overstays. However, during the initial months, it also means longer processing times at airports — particularly at major hubs like Munich.
The EES applies to all non-EU nationals on short stays, including:
Children of all ages are included. Those under 12 must have a facial scan but are exempt from fingerprinting.
On your first entry after the EES launch, you will go through a full biometric registration: fingerprints (four fingers of each hand) and a facial photograph. This is done at a self-service kiosk or by a border officer. On subsequent visits within three years (and with the same passport), the process should be faster as your data is already stored.
During the initial rollout, expect additional waiting time at immigration — reports from other European airports suggest 30 to 90 minutes on busy days. Munich Airport (MUC) has two terminals: Terminal 1 handles most Gulf airlines (Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways), while Terminal 2 handles Lufthansa and Star Alliance flights.
Later in 2026, the EU will introduce ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System). This will require visa-exempt travellers — including UK, UAE and Bahrain passport holders — to apply online and pay a €7 fee before departure. ETIAS is similar to the US ESTA system. It will be valid for three years and is linked to your passport.
Grand Europa will help you understand and prepare for ETIAS once the system launches.
As your concierge in Munich, we make the arrival process as smooth as possible. Our private VIP transfer at Munich Airport is designed for international travelers who value discretion and reliability — especially on days when EES delays are unpredictable.
Have questions or need to arrange private arrival assistance? Contact Grand Europa directly — we respond within a few hours.
Planning a private onward journey after arrival in Munich? Read our guide to a luxury Alpine road trip from Munich to St. Moritz with chauffeur support, hotel coordination and cross-border travel planning.
Grand Europa supports international guests with VIP transfer, meet & greet, and personal coordination before and after your flight.
Request Assistance →EES is a digital EU border control system that replaced manual passport stamping on 10 April 2026. It records biometric data (fingerprints and photo) of non-EU travelers entering or leaving the Schengen area and automatically tracks the 90/180-day allowed stay.
All non-EU, non-Schengen nationals on short stays — including travelers from Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman), UK passport holders, and citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, and all other non-Schengen countries.
Yes, especially for first-time registrations. The biometric scanning process (fingerprints and photo) adds processing time. Reports from other Schengen airports suggest waiting times of 30 to 90 minutes on busy travel days.
Yes. EES applies to all non-Schengen nationals, including US, UK and Canadian citizens, regardless of whether they need a visa or are visa-exempt. Every non-EU traveler on a short stay must be registered in the system.
While private assistance cannot bypass border control, Grand Europa provides a VIP meet and greet service at Munich Airport, real-time flight tracking, and a personal driver who waits regardless of EES-related delays — at no extra charge.
Grand Europa offers VIP transfer from Munich Airport, Arabic-speaking meet and greet, real-time flight tracking, baggage assistance, and medical concierge coordination. All services are tailored to guests from Gulf states and other international travelers. Enquire here.