South Africans travelling to Europe over the festive season have been warned to expect delays at airports as the European Union rolls out a new digital border system.
The disruption is linked to the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), which began a phased rollout in October 2025 and applies to travellers from non-EU countries, including South Africa.
The system introduces new technology at border control points, requiring certain travellers to register biometric data on arrival. While only a small percentage of eligible passengers are currently being processed under the system, delays are already being felt at several European airports.
EES causes delays at European airports
According to Euronews, a report by Airports Council International (ACI) Europe has highlighted growing congestion and operational challenges, prompting calls for an urgent review of the system.
At airports where the EES is in place, visa-exempt travellers from non-EU countries are required to register biometric information, including fingerprints and facial data, at dedicated kiosks before proceeding through border control.
Passengers have reported long queues as travellers navigate the new procedures for the first time. In some cases, delays have resulted in missed flights and connection problems.
According to the ACI report, border processing times at airports have increased by up to 70%, with waiting times of as long as three hours during peak travel periods.
Airports in France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Portugal and Spain have been identified as among the most affected by EES-related delays.
Technical issues and no pre-registration app
The report attributes the disruption to a combination of technical issues and staffing shortages. These include regular system outages, malfunctioning or unavailable self-service kiosks, and the lack of an effective pre-registration app to speed up the process.
ACI Europe also pointed to insufficient numbers of border officials at airports, further slowing processing times.
With more airports set to introduce the EES in the coming months, the organisation has warned that congestion could worsen as the system expands.
ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec said that even at the current low rollout threshold, the system is already causing significant discomfort for travellers and disrupting airport operations.
He warned that increasing the registration threshold in January, as planned, could lead to far more severe congestion and potential safety risks if operational issues are not resolved.
South Africans travelling to Europe this festive season are advised to arrive at airports earlier than usual, allow extra time for border formalities, and stay informed about possible delays as the rollout continues.
