The countdown has begun for the new Entry/Exit System (EES) at European borders. From October 12, non-EU citizens will need to give fingerprints and a facial scan when travelling to the EU.
Travel experts are warning that this change could lead to severe delays at airports when travelling internationally. It’s important that anyone with a trip planned is prepared for the change. However, according to a government survey, more than two-thirds of UK travellers are unaware of the changes.
Yasmin Pekel, a travel expert at motor yacht company Blue Cruise, says the October half-term rush is a “ticking clock”.
She said: “If airports and ports aren’t fully prepared, and people don’t know what’s expected of them, you’ve got a perfect storm of long queues, confusion, and families missing departures. Awareness is everything right now.”
One of the best ways you can prepare for the change is to plan ahead. Airports usually recommend arriving two to three hours early for a flight, but with these new changes Yasmin advises people to add on an extra hour.
This will allow time for lengthy queues and any confusion as border staff and tourists adjust to the changes; make sure you have your passport to hand and follow all the instructions for biometric checks.
The EES will also mean more questions, so have the details of your trip handy. Border officers may ask about your trip, accommodation, or how long you plan to stay. Clear, straightforward answers will help keep the process moving.
Yasmin said: “The EES is a fundamental change to how we enter the EU. If people take it seriously and prepare, they’ll get through it fine. But if they treat it like the old system, the risk of starting your holiday in chaos is very real.”