All Brits to face extra border checks when heading to Europe later this year – with start date for new travel rules
NEW travel rules are to be introduced later this year – with a start date now confirmed.
First announced back in 2022, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will require Brits to go through additional checks when leaving and entering the country.
Replacing the need for passport stamping, new biometric checks will be taken instead.
However it has been repeatedly delayed since first announced two years ago.
But EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed that they now would be aiming for November 10 as the official start date, The Local reports.
She said during a visit to the eu-LISA headquarters: “Different steps are legally required before the Commission could take the formal decision, but I am proud to reveal today that the 10th of November is the target day.
“The moment is finally there. There may have been times you believed it will never happen – but it’s going to happen. Everything is coming together.
“We’re in the final testing phase… There is a real momentum now. Carriers, operators, train stations, airports, everyone is getting ready for the big day.”
The EES has been repeatedly delayed due to a number of problems, including IT issues and then the Paris Olympics.
And it is feared it could cause huge delays at the border due to the extra checks needed.
Not only will passports be scanned, but passengers will also need to have fingerprints scanned and photos taken.
This is especially the case at the UK-France borders, used by millions a year, where queues could reach 14-hours.
Tim Reardon, head of EU exit for the Dover Harbour Board warned last year: “There is no way of doing a biometric control without getting everyone out of the vehicle.
“That’s the one thing on our site which cannot happen because you’re in the middle of live traffic.”
And Neil Baker, Kent County Council’s cabinet member for roads said it could cause a “serious mess”.
He told fellow cabinet members on January 4: “I don’t think we can downplay how big of an impact it could well have on Kent and over an extended period.”
The Sun's Head of Travel explains what the EES means for you
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot has explained everything you need to know about the upcoming EES.
“THE looming introduction of the long-delayed European Entry Exit System could lead to yet more pain for passengers leaving the UK.
“The new system – designed to strengthen the European borders – will require every passenger to have their biometrics recorded.
“Every traveller will have to scan their passport and have a facial biometric before providing prints from the four fingers on their right hand. Children under 12 will have to do the biometric but will not have to have their fingerprints taken. All will then have to answer four questions about their reason for travel.
“Both fingerprints and facial biometrics will be required the first time a traveller uses the system, and then just one of the two for every subsequent trip. Then every three years you’ll be expected to go through the full process again.
“While airports across Europe have the space to add this additional process it is still going to add a huge amount of extra time to the customs checks. Although it will remove the need to have stamps in your passport, everything will still need to be checked either by a border officer or an e-gate.
“Where things could get really bad are at ports like Dover – where there are significant space constraints and multiple individuals will be travelling together in cars and coaches.
“Both Eurostar and Le Shuttle have invested millions in new facilities to process passengers but it is almost inevitable that the first few months of the system could lead to lengthy delays as we all get used to the new system.”
The i reported that travellers are to be told to travel with “extra supplies” such as food, water and nappies in case of the huge queues.
Some European governments have expressed concerns too – Slovenia said it would take “four times longer” to process passengers while Austrian authorities said it would be at least “double compared to the current situation”.
The new ETIAS system is also to be introduced, although this isn’t until next year.
ETIAS, a visa-waiver, will require all Brits to pay €7 when visiting Europe, and will last three years.
An official start date in 2025 is yet to be revealed.
And millions of Brits face being unable to get an ETIAS, as it can only be applied for online.