The organisers of the 2026 World Border Security Congress (WBSC) opened delegate registration on 9 March, confirming that the 14-16 April event will return to Vienna for the first time since 2018. The congress brings together border-guard chiefs, customs officials and technology vendors from more than 60 countries. Headline themes include automated biometrics, rapid-DNA testing at borders, and how to integrate the EU’s new Entry/Exit System ahead of the 10 April go-live date. Closed-door workshops will examine joint operations on the Western Balkan route—a priority for Austria, which recorded a 12 % rise in irregular entries in 2025. For multinational employers the WBSC is a bell-weather: vendors often use the expo to unveil e-gate upgrades and mobile-app solutions that later appear at commercial airports. Vienna Airport confirmed it will host a site visit showcasing its ‘smart corridor’ pilot that links Customs and police checks in a single biometric tunnel. Delegates can expect tight security measures; Austria’s interior ministry has classified the event as ‘essential infrastructure’ under new large-event rules, meaning advanced attendee vetting and on-site drone surveillance. Early-bird passes cost €995 until 29 March, after which prices rise to €1,295. The organisers report strong interest from Gulf Cooperation Council states, suggesting that Austria’s neutral profile continues to attract stakeholders from politically sensitive regions.
