Non-EU Passengers Face Hours of Delays at Brussels Airport

Non-EU Travellers Face Long Delays at Zaventem

Non-EU passengers arriving at Brussels Airport in Zaventem continue to experience major delays at border control. Waiting times regularly reach nearly two hours during peak periods and have climbed as high as four or five hours in recent weeks.

The problem mainly affects travellers from outside the Schengen Area who must pass through staffed passport control. In contrast, EU citizens usually clear the automatic e-gates in just 10 to 15 minutes, or up to 30–60 minutes during busy times.

What’s causing the queues?

The delays are largely linked to the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES). This digital border system, which became fully operational in April 2026, registers non-EU nationals entering and leaving the Schengen zone. It records personal data, travel details, and biometrics such as fingerprints and facial scans, replacing the traditional passport stamp.

While the system aims to improve security and better track overstays, the extra steps required for each passenger create bottlenecks, especially when several non-Schengen flights arrive at the same time. Technical issues with the EES have also slowed processing on some days.

In addition, travellers from certain countries (including the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea and Australia) who previously could pre-register at EES kiosks and then use automatic gates can no longer do so. They must now join the longer manual queues. E-gates remain available mainly to EU passport holders and Belgian eID holders.

Recent situation

Airport officials have confirmed repeated long waits throughout 2026. Peak morning arrivals regularly see non-EU passengers waiting more than two hours. In late September, some travellers reported queues of up to five hours. Hundreds of passengers have missed flights since the system was introduced.

Brussels Airport says it is working on structural solutions. Extra federal police officers are currently being trained for border control posts, and tests are underway to restore e-gate access for eligible non-EU travellers. Waiting times vary significantly depending on flight volumes — quieter periods can see queues under 30 minutes.

Advice for travellers

Non-EU passengers are advised to arrive earlier than usual, especially for morning flights. It is recommended to monitor flight and airport updates via the Brussels Airport app or website and to allow extra time for connections. These delays concern border control only, not security screening. Passengers arriving from within the Schengen Area normally skip this step entirely.

The situation remains under review by Belgian authorities and the European Commission, with ongoing calls for more flexibility in the EES rollout and better staffing to protect both security and the passenger experience.