Strict Schengen Border Checks to Increase Travel Times from September 2026

Travelers in Denmark leaving the Schengen area will soon face mandatory biometric checks without exception. Emergency queue-relief rules at European borders will officially end on September 6, 2026. Starting September 7, full biometric processing will apply at all Schengen external border checkpoints.

The European Commission confirmed the permanent end of temporary queue relief pauses. Previously, border guards could suspend biometric checks during peak airport congestion. Under the Entry and Exit System, officers must conduct biometric processing for all non-EU travelers. No exceptions will be allowed during heavy airport traffic.

For Chinese residents and tourists in Denmark, this means longer queue times at border control. Passengers flying from Copenhagen Airport to China or non-Schengen countries need extra travel time. Transferring through major European transit hubs will also require additional buffer time. This information was reported by Travel Weekly.