Brits face 2 new rules at UK airports if going to Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece

If you're planning a European getaway this year, it might be wise to factor in some additional travel time. A new border control system is set to potentially slow things down for Brits jetting off abroad.

Come November, new biometric checks, including face and fingerprint scanning, will be introduced at all borders, necessitating travellers to set aside time to create their biometric profile before being permitted entry.

The European Union's Entry Exit System (EES) is expected to go live across member states in November, though a specific date has yet to be announced.

READ MORE: A psychedelic golf buggy and 'the best guitar in the world': Huge haul of rare Oasis memorabilia going to auction

READ MORE: Man arrested on Manchester Airport flight has case thrown out - because of police officer who handcuffed him

Just last week, it was revealed that a hefty £10.5 million funding package will bolster the Port of Dover, Folkestone's Eurotunnel, and London's St Pancras Eurostar station, aiming to smooth over any hitches caused by the incoming tech upgrades.

In a recent advisory, the UK Foreign Office highlighted that the forthcoming system will require all non-EU nationals, British citizens included, to register their biometric data and create a digital record upon entering the Schengen zone, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The latest update states: "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."

"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."

The Home Office has also warned: "You may experience longer queues at borders when the new system starts."

European countries using the EES

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Italy

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Netherlands

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

In Cyprus and Ireland, passports will continue to be stamped manually.