Copenhagen Airport 2026: UK Travellers Face Long Queues Over New EU Border Controls

New EU border rules are causing major delays at Copenhagen Airport. Here's what UK travellers need to know before they fly this summer.​​​​​​​

UK travellers flying to Copenhagen this summer are being warned to brace for lengthy queues and slower-than-usual border processing, as new European Union entry systems continue to cause significant disruption at one of Northern Europe's busiest airports.

Reports from passengers travelling through Copenhagen's Kastrup Airport have described waits at passport control that are far longer than anything experienced in previous years. For British holidaymakers with summer trips to Denmark or wider Scandinavia already booked, understanding what is behind these delays could save considerable stress on travel day.​​​​​​​

The disruption is directly linked to the EU's rollout of its Entry/Exit System, known as EES. This new digital border management system replaces the traditional passport stamp with a biometric registration process, requiring non-EU travellers to have their fingerprints and photograph taken every time they enter or leave the Schengen Area.

For British travellers, this is now standard procedure at every European border crossing. Since Brexit, UK passport holders are classified as third-country nationals under EU law, meaning they are subject to the full EES process without exception. Crucially, British nationals are not eligible to use the automated e-gates available to EU citizens, meaning every traveller must pass through a staffed border lane. When you multiply that across thousands of daily passengers, the queues quickly build.​​​​​​​

Alongside EES, British nationals are now required to hold a valid ETIAS authorisation before travelling to any Schengen Area country, including Denmark. ETIAS, which stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System, works in a similar way to the American ESTA — it is an online pre-travel authorisation that must be secured before departure.

It cannot be obtained on arrival, and airlines are required to check that passengers hold a valid authorisation before boarding. Travelling without one risks being denied at the gate. Once approved, ETIAS covers multiple trips and remains valid for several years, making it a one-off process for most travellers.​​​​​​​

Preparation is everything this summer. Apply for your ETIAS authorisation as early as possible and keep your confirmation accessible on travel day. At the airport, allow significantly more time than you typically would — border queues are running well above normal, and rushing a connection in these conditions adds unnecessary risk to your journey.

Check your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip before you leave home. Under current EU entry requirements, an insufficient passport validity can result in being refused entry at the border entirely.​​​​​​​

Copenhagen is not alone. Major Schengen entry points across Europe are experiencing similar pressures as the new border systems bed in. The disruption is expected to continue through the peak summer season, though airports are actively working to increase capacity and reduce wait times where possible.

The key message for British travellers this year is simple — know the new rules, prepare in advance, and give yourself plenty of time. The border landscape for UK tourists in Europe has changed permanently, and being informed is the best defence against unnecessary delays.​​​​​​​

Planning a trip to Copenhagen or Europe this summer? The Crystal Travel team is here to help you prepare, book with confidence, and travel without the stress.