New EU entry system launch date at Hungarian airports revealed: expect longer waiting times
The European Union’s brand-new Entry/Exit System (EES) will become operational on 12 October, initially only at land border crossings. Hungarian airports will follow a few weeks later, already preparing with various technical solutions and extra staff. Despite these efforts, a noticeable increase in waiting times for border control is expected. Fortunately, not everyone will be affected by these changes.
New system to launch at Hungarian airports in November
The core of the EU’s new entry system is biometric identification for anyone entering a Schengen state. Practically, this means no more passport stamps; travellers will be identified, for example, via their fingerprints. Initially, this fingerprint collection will slow the process, but over time, the system will shorten waiting times.
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The Hungarian Tourism Agency and Visit Hungary held a joint briefing to share key information, emphasising the importance of preparation ahead of the changes arriving at Hungarian airports in November. Citizens of Schengen countries, as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, will continue to travel as before, unaffected by the new system.
What the EES file requires
The new era begins on Sunday at land border crossings, starting at Beregsurány on the Ukrainian-Hungarian border, with Serbia to join later. Third-country nationals will need to provide their travel document details, and authorities will record entry and exit times and locations, along with taking fingerprints and facial images.
Airport rollout starts mid-November
Following land borders, the system will be tested at Budapest’s Liszt Ferenc International Airport on 18 November, and at Debrecen and Sármellék airports between 18-20 November. Budapest Airport will also offer kiosks where travellers can pre-register their details, though personal checks remain mandatory.
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Calculations predict waiting times, presently around one hour, will increase. Authorities advise travellers to use the automated gates corresponding to their nationality upon arrival. The system is flexible; member states can temporarily suspend it if severe delays occur.
Online travel authorisation from late 2026
From the last quarter of 2026, the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will launch, allowing visa-free tourists to apply online for travel authorisation at a cost of €20. It will be valid for three years or until passport expiry. Eszter Alföldi, Chief Advisor to the Hungarian Tourism Agency, notes that misuse of ETIAS and EES registrations is already being monitored.
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The Hungarian Association of Tour Operators expects a significant increase in processing times for travellers from non-EU countries but anticipates the system will streamline border crossings by 2026.
More information is available on the police website and the official EU EES site.
If this helps to prevent ppl from overstaying their valid wellcome, catches criminals, prevents fraud and makes countries safer the money spent will be worth it. I am not fond of how we are followed, kept track of or photographed randomely now, however those who buy and carry fit bits, cell phones etc etc choose that lifestyle of lack of aninimoty, privacy and freedome of movement….but the rest of us suffer because they normalize such acts of violation.