If you’re a South African planning a trip to Europe in 2025 or beyond, there’s an important update you need to know. From 12 October 2025, South African passport holders will face new biometric entry requirements when visiting European Union (EU) countries under the Entry/Exit System (EES).
This new system is part of the EU’s mission to make travel safer and more efficient — but it does mean a few extra steps at the border for travellers from South Africa and other non-EU countries.
🌍 What Is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a modern, automated IT system that records the biometric and travel data of non-EU nationals who enter or exit the EU for short stays.
It will apply to 29 European countries, including all members of the Schengen Area, and will replace the old manual passport-stamping process.
The rollout begins on 12 October 2025 and will continue for six months, with full implementation expected by 10 April 2026.
🧾 What Information Will Be Collected?
Under the new EES, South African travellers (and other non-EU visitors) will need to provide:
- Personal details (name, nationality, date of birth)
- Passport information (number, expiry date, etc.)
- Biometric data — fingerprints and a facial scan
These details will be captured when you first enter a participating European country. Once registered, your data will stay on file for future trips, meaning you won’t have to go through the full process again.
Future border checks will simply involve verifying your fingerprints or face — a faster and more efficient process.
🚧 Why the EU Is Implementing the EES
According to the EU Home Affairs Office, the Entry/Exit System aims to:
- Enhance security by preventing illegal migration and detecting overstays.
- Reduce identity and document fraud through biometric verification.
- Streamline border checks using automated self-service gates and kiosks.
In short, the EES is designed to protect both travellers and EU citizens while ensuring a smoother, faster travel experience.
🚫 Who Is Exempt from the EES?
The new EES checks do not apply to:
- EU nationals and citizens of countries using the EES, as well as Cyprus and Ireland
- Non-EU residents with a valid residence card or permit
- Family members of EU nationals holding residence rights
- Individuals entering for research, study, volunteering, or training
- Holders of long-stay visas or residence permits
- Nationals of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and holders of Vatican City passports
- Diplomats, heads of state, cross-border workers, and NATO personnel on official missions
🇿🇦 What It Means for South African Travellers
For South Africans, the EES adds another verification layer to border control — partly due to long-standing concerns about passport fraud.
Between 2022 and 2024, authorities uncovered several cases of fake South African passports being used by individuals from other countries, particularly Pakistan and India.
In 2022, Ryanair even introduced an Afrikaans language test to identify fake South African passports — a move that was not supported by the Irish government and later withdrawn.
By 2024, Ireland — one of the few EU countries South Africans could visit visa-free — revoked that privilege due to security concerns.
Although South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has worked hard to root out fraud and corruption within the passport system, international trust has yet to fully recover.
📉 The Current Strength of the South African Passport
The 2025 Henley & Partners Passport Index ranks the South African passport 53rd in the world, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 102 countries.
Unfortunately, this does not include most EU destinations. The only European countries currently offering visa-free access to South Africans are Georgia, Kosovo, and Russia.
With the EES rollout, expect more thorough border checks, especially during the transition period in late 2025 and early 2026.
✈️ Key Takeaways for South African Travellers
- The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) starts 12 October 2025 and will be fully active by 10 April 2026.
- All non-EU travellers, including South Africans, must provide biometric data (fingerprints and facial scans).
- Manual passport stamping will end — entries and exits will be recorded digitally.
- Once registered, your data remains on file, making future trips quicker.
- Expect stricter border checks due to global passport security concerns.
🌟 Plan Your European Adventure with Scenic Escapes
Planning to explore Europe after these new travel changes? Let the experts at Scenic Escapes take care of your next holiday — from flight bookings and visas to scenic routes and unforgettable itineraries.
With years of travel planning experience, Carina and Landi specialize in creating seamless, worry-free travel experiences — especially for South Africans navigating the new EU travel requirements.
Contact Scenic Escapes:
📞 Phone: 071 599 7569 (Carina) / 082 490 3552 (Landi)
📧 Email: info@scenicescapes.co.za
Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic getaway in Italy, a road trip through France, or a Christmas market escape in Germany — Scenic Escapes will make it effortless, secure, and memorable.
🧭 Final Thoughts
While the new EU Entry/Exit System 2025 adds a few extra steps, it’s a move toward smarter, safer, and more efficient travel. For South Africans, the key is to plan ahead and work with trusted travel experts who can guide you through the updated requirements.
With the right preparation — and Scenic Escapes by your side — your next European adventure will still be every bit as magical as you imagined.
