Chaos at Brussels Airport: What the New ESS Border System Means for Your Trip

If you’re planning to travel to or through Belgium soon, this is something you’ll want to know. 

A recent rollout of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) at Brussels Airport has caused major disruptions, with hundreds of passengers missing their flights due to long delays at border control. While the system has been partially in place since October, it only became fully operational on April 10—triggering the significant issues now affecting travelers. 

So, what’s actually happening? 

The new system requires non-EU travelers to go through additional registration steps at the border, including biometric data. In theory, it’s meant to improve security and streamline travel in the future. 

Right now, though, it’s doing the opposite. 

This is what we have seen over the past week: 

• Waiting times stretched up to 2 hours or more  

• Around 600 passengers reportedly missed their flights  

• Processing at passport control slowed down significantly (5 minutes per passenger)

How does this affect you as a traveler? 

Even if your flight is perfectly on time, delays at border control could still throw off your entire trip. 

This is especially important if you: 

• Are traveling from outside the EU  

• Have a short layover in Brussels, especially if your connection requires going through passport control (for example, traveling between Schengen and non-Schengen countries) 

• Are visiting during peak travel periods  

In short, your biggest delay might not be your flight — it could be the line before it. 

What you should do 

If Belgium is on your itinerary, a few small adjustments can make a big difference: 

• Arrive earlier than usual: Give yourself more buffer time than you normally would. 3 hours has always been the advised time for long-haul flights, but what used to be enough might not cut it anymore. So I advise coming 4 hours early, just to be safe! 

💡 Good to know: If you need to catch a train to get to Brussels Airport, calculate even more time because Belgian trains don’t always run on time. Also, read this to learn more about the Brussels Airport Supplement and whether or not you have to pay it.

• Avoid tight connections: If you’re transiting through Brussels Airport, consider longer layovers—especially if your journey requires passing through passport control (for example, traveling between Schengen and non-Schengen countries). That’s where delays are most likely right now. 

• Travel at off-peak times if possible: Early morning or late evening flights may help you avoid the worst of the queues. 

• Book a hotel near the airport: If you’ve got an early morning flight, you’ll want to catch as much sleep as possible. If your itinerary allows it, add in a night in one of the hotels in the Brussels Airport area; most will have a (free or paid) shuttle service!

• Stay flexible: Delays like this can be unpredictable, so having a bit of flexibility in your plans goes a long way. 

Our take 

New systems like this almost always come with growing pains, and this seems to be one of those moments. 

The goal is to make travel more efficient and secure in the long run, but right now, it’s clear that the rollout still needs work. 

For travelers, the takeaway is simple: come extra early and expect long lines. 

Final thoughts 

Belgium is still an amazing destination, and this shouldn’t stop you from visiting. But your journey might require a bit more patience than usual, especially at the airport. 

A little extra planning now can save you a lot of stress later.

And if you happen to have an early morning flight, it might be a good idea to save yourself some sleep by booking a hotel close-by. Check out our guide to the best hotels near Brussels Airport!