BRUSSELS, September 11 — Temporary flexibility measures under Europe’s Entry/Exit System (EES) expired on September 6, 2026, and African travellers heading to Europe now face stricter biometric checks and potentially longer queues at 29 border crossings. The discretion period that had allowed border authorities to suspend or ease biometric procedures during periods of severe congestion is officially over. Full biometric checks are now strictly mandatory.
The EES is an automated digital border management system that replaces physical passport stamping with electronic tracking of entries and exits for non-EU short-stay visitors. It applies to eligible non-EU travellers, including African tourists, business travellers, students, and people visiting family.
How the system works
Under the EES, first-time users must register their facial images and fingerprints at a dedicated self-service kiosk or directly with a border officer. Travellers may also be required to provide passport details. Having previously provided fingerprints for a Schengen visa does not exempt travellers from EES registration.
The collected biometric and passport data is securely stored for up to three years. Subsequent entries during that window typically require only matching the passport and face to the existing digital file.
The measures apply across 29 European countries within the Schengen Area. Major gateways include France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Other participating nations are Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Industry warnings and traveller guidance
Airlines and international travel groups have warned that the rigid enforcement of these checks has already contributed to substantial border delays, causing some passengers to miss flights and connecting transfers. Enforcement consistency may still vary slightly across airports due to ongoing localized technical difficulties. Travellers are strongly advised to arrive at airports early and budget additional buffer time to navigate passport control.
The EES represents a significant shift in how the European Union manages its external borders, moving from manual stamping to a fully digital system that automatically tracks entries and exits. The expiration of flexibility measures marks a new phase of strict enforcement, with implications for millions of non-EU travellers, particularly those from African countries who frequently travel to Europe for tourism, business, education, and family visits.
The system’s rollout has been closely watched by airlines and travel industry groups, who have raised concerns about processing times and the potential for missed connections. As the EES becomes fully operational, travellers are urged to familiarize themselves with the new requirements and plan accordingly to avoid disruptions.
