Britons given fresh Europe travel warning as new system to launch within months
Britons travelling to Europe have been given a new travel update that will come into force in a matter of months. It will affect travellers visiting popular destinations such as France, Spain, Italy and Portugal.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warned holidaymakers: “From November 2024, the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) will start for all non-EU nationals, including British nationals, travelling in or out of the Schengen area.
“The Schengen area is made up of 29 European countries, 25 of which are EU Member States.
“The EES is a digital border system which registers non-EU visitors travelling into the Schengen area instead of stamping their passports.
Picturesque Italy is a popular destination among British holidaymakers
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“You will need to have your fingerprints and your photo taken when entering the Schengen area.
“If you enter the Schengen area through Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International, your fingerprints and photo will be taken before you leave the UK.
“You will also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo on exit. You may experience longer queues at borders when the new system starts.”
Britons were encouraged to consult the FCDO’s information on the EU Entry / Exit System.
Countries in the Schengen area
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
EU Entry / Exit System
The FCDO said: “From autumn this year, the EU will be introducing a new digital border system to strengthen the security of its external Schengen border.
“The new registration process – called the Entry/Exit System, or EES for short – is expected to be introduced in November, however, the EU has yet to confirm a specific date for its introduction.
“It will apply to those travelling to the Schengen area which encompasses all EU countries, except from Cyprus and Ireland. Additionally, the non-EU States Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are also part of the Schengen area.
“This will require most citizens of countries outside the EU to create a digital record and register their biometric details, such as providing fingerprints and having their photo taken, when they enter the Schengen area. This should only take a few minutes for each person to do.
“British travellers will need to do this on their first visit to the EU after EES is introduced. Their record will be checked on point of entry into the Schengen area verifying either their fingerprint or photograph.
“At some ports in the South of England (Dover, Eurotunnel and St Pancras – where the French Border Force operate immigration checks in the UK), EES will be carried out before departure. There may be increased wait times while EES registration is completed before passengers leave the UK.”
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Portugal is another beloved holiday destination in the Schengen area
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“If British travellers decide to visit a country in the Schengen area again within a three-year period of creating their digital record, they will only need to provide either their fingerprint or photograph at the border on entry and exit.
“EES will bolster border security for both the EU and their neighbouring countries.
“More information on EES can be found on the EU’s official Travel Europe website.”
The FCDO also provides information on why the EU is introducing EES, the impact on journeys to the Schengen Area and the Government’s actions to minimise the impact of EES.
In addition to information on entry requirements, Britons visiting France should also consult the FCDO for essential guidance on warnings and insurance, safety and security, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Health and Getting Help.
