During my transit through Frankfurt last month, I had an opportunity to join the German Trusted Traveler Program called EasyPASS.
EasyPASS is the German equivalent of Global Entry and available to U.S. citizens, whether you have Global Entry in the USA or not. It is free to join and take mere minutes.
You can sign up for EasyPass at the following German airports:
- Dusseldorf (DUS)
- Frankfurt (FRA)
- Hambrug (HAM)
- Munich (MUC)
I was in Frankfurt and found the EasyPASS office in Terminal 1 on the first landing of the stairwell leading to the trains to Terminal 2.
The office used to be near Lufthansa First Class check-in, but moved last year.
Look for the “Service Center Federal Police” sign. There, you’ll find another sign for an “Enrollment” office.
The process could not have been easier. There was no line and a uniformed border agent invited me to sit in front of his desk. He scanned my passport, did some typing, then printed out a simple form for me to sign twice. The process took not more than 10 minutes. He signed the paper as well, then told me I could start using the automated lane immediately.
And I did. It worked perfectly. You’ll proceed through the EU/Swiss lane, scan your passport, proceed through the e-reader, then a border agent will quickly stamp your passport.
More information here from the USA side and the official German government website (in English) here.
CONCLUSION
Even when you arrive in first class at Frankfurt, you often face long security lines without an EU or Swiss passport. This was an easy, painless, free process that will no doubt save me a lot of time in future trips to Germany. Note, you will only be able to use e-lanes in Germany, not other EU nations.
I found the enrollment process equally easy — as well as re-enrollment after I renewed my passport. But I have had zero success with the gate giving me anything other than a big red X on at least 8 attempts.
This may be moot: on my June visit, FRA had new automated gates that could be used by anyone from the US and about 15 other non-EU countries.
Matthew, did you converse with the border agent in German or English? I was wondering how the process would be for an English only speaker like me.
Germans love to show off their English. We began in German and could have continued, but when he saw my U.S. passport he switched right to English.
Matthew, do you know if the EasyPASS status expires? I got it earlier this year, it works like a charm, but wondering how long it is good for.
I believe it is valid for the life of your passport.
Enrollment is also available at both operating Berlin airports and Cologne.
Not according to EasyPASS website, or am I missing it?
Will EasyPass help expedite transfer if making a quick connection with this itinerary: One ticket on Oman Air from ZNZ-MCT, MCT-FRA then connecting on a separate flight on LH, FRA-DFW? Thank you!
Hi Nick, it would – but even without it, you should still have enough time. Safe travels.
Matthew, would it make a big time difference without EasyPass for the same arrival flight MCT – FRA then doing FRA – DFW on AA (AA 71 compared to LH 438 both on Aug 21). Just want to make sure I have enough time to connect (no checked bags, single traveler that can walk fast!). Regarding reciprocity with global entry and Germany, does that just mean German citizens can obtain global entry?
I appreciate the quick response and the work you do! Keep it up!
Thanks for the detailed photos – super helpful!!
Thank you from Taiwan.
Matthew, thank you for the details of the photos and for leading me to the registation office real quick.
Even more, it saved me a lot of time when I left Frankfurt at the boarder gate.