Proposed EU travel regulations, set to take effect next autumn, include mandatory fingerprint and photo ID checks, raising concerns about potential disruptions and longer wait times at airports.
As the new Entry/Exit System (EES) coincides with the implementation of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), Express readers were asked whether these stringent measures would deter them from traveling to Europe in the future.
The poll results reveal a significant level of apprehension among respondents, shedding light on the potential impact of these changes on the travel plans of British tourists.
British tourists are facing potential travel disruptions as new border control measures are set to be implemented for those travelling to European Union (EU) countries.
Starting from next autumn, tourists from the United Kingdom visiting EU countries will be subject to stricter entry requirements.
For those arriving from outside the Schengen Area after October 6, their data will be recorded and entered into an EU database as part of the new Entry/Exit System (EES). This additional layer of scrutiny is anticipated to result in longer processing times at border control.
France’s public finance watchdog, Cour des Comptes, has warned that these new regulations could double or even triple the current processing time, leading to massive queues at airports. The report from Cour des Comptes suggests that the changes may prompt some travellers to reconsider their mode of transportation, potentially opting for flights over other means of travel.
The anticipated bottlenecks at airports next autumn coincide with the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). This system will subject travellers to the EU to criminal record checks, similar to those implemented in the United States.
Express.co.uk sought the opinions of its readers on whether these new rules would discourage them from traveling to Europe in the future.
The results revealed that a significant majority, 71 percent, expressed concerns about the potential disruptions, while only 26 percent indicated they would not be deterred. A small percentage, 3 percent, remained unsure about the impact of the new border checks on their travel plans.
