08/06/2026
Important Travel Notice – Europe Entry/Exit System (EES)
Please be advised that the European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES) is being implemented for non-EU nationals travelling to participating Schengen countries, including South African passport holders.
The EES is an automated border management system that will electronically record travellers' entry and exit details, as well as biometric information (facial image and fingerprints), each time they enter or leave participating European countries for a short stay.
The following countries will be using the EES:
Austria 🇦🇹, Belgium 🇧🇪, Bulgaria 🇧🇬, Croatia 🇭🇷, Czechia 🇨🇿 , Denmark 🇩🇰, Estonia 🇪🇪, Finland 🇫🇮, France🇫🇷, Germany🇩🇪, Greece🇬🇷, Hungary🇭🇺, Iceland🇮🇸, Italy🇮🇹, Latvia🇱🇻, Liechtenstein🇱🇮, Lithuania🇱🇹, Luxembourg🇱🇺, Malta🇲🇹, Netherlands🇳🇱, Norway🇳🇴, Poland 🇵🇱, Portugal 🇵🇹, Romania🇷🇴, Slovakia🇸🇰, Slovenia🇸🇮, Spain🇪🇸, Sweden 🇸🇪 and Switzerland 🇨🇭.
For the purposes of the EES, a non-EU national is a traveller who does not hold the nationality of a European Union member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.
A short stay is defined as a visit of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all participating EES countries combined.
As travellers will be required to register their biometric information upon entry, longer queues and processing times at immigration checkpoints are expected, particularly during the initial implementation period. We recommend allowing additional time when arriving in Europe and when making onward travel arrangements.
Should you have any questions regarding your upcoming travel plans, please do not hesitate to contact us.
