British travellers are expected to see massive delays at airports across the EU next year as new checks are introduced. From autumn 2024, British passport holders will have to undergo fingerprint and face scans before being allowed entry to countries in the EU.
Post-Brexit changes at passport control have already caused long delays for British flyers as they are now required to have their passports stamped as the UK is recognised as a ‘third country’ to the EU. It is thought the new Entry/Exit System (EES), which will replace passport stamping, will not only increase queues but also see travellers hand over sensitive personal data as scans will be entered into a database.
The system will record the date and place of entry and exit for every traveller coming from a ‘third country’ to the EU bloc – which is currently led by Ursula von der Leyen.
The European Commission is yet to announce a start date for the scans. But Eurotunnel, which is currently working to implement the new system, has told the Independent it expects the new checks to begin on October 6, 2024.
Reports suggest France has already ordered 540 data kiosks and 250 tablets to process those travelling by ferry from the UK. The plans were first announced when the UK was still part of the EU but they have been delayed a number of times as countries struggle to combine their own systems with the wider European database.
Introducing the ESS in October would mean those travelling to the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany would be unaffected by changes as well as those visiting the Paris Olympics next summer.
Since leaving the EU, new passport checks have resulted in long queues at Dover, including last Easter when holidaymakers faced waits of up to 12 hours.
Six months after ESS has been introduced British travellers could see further changes to the way they travel in Etias, which will be required for entry to the Schengen Area, at a cost of €7 per person.
