Holidaymakers told they will need to register their fingerprints to visit these 29 countries

-Credit: (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
-Credit: (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)


Holidaymakers flying to 29 destinations may need to register their fingerprint for entry from November.

The new security measures have been introduced due to a new registration system. The Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to be implemented across the EU as officials aim to bolster border security, the ECHO reports.

A statement from the UK Government suggests that most non-EU citizens will need to establish a 'digital record' before they can enter any country within this system. This process involves registering biometric details, such as fingerprints, and having a photo taken upon entering the 'Schengen area'.

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All 25 EU countries, excluding Cyprus and Ireland, are part of this system, along with four non-EU countries: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein, according to Parliament. In a statement released yesterday, the UK Government added: "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." Although the EU has not yet confirmed a specific date for its introduction, it's said the EES 'should only take a few minutes' to do.

The EES system is set to replace the current method of manually stamping passports whenever someone enters an EU country. The aim is to automate this process to ensure people 'do not overstay' and to tackle illegal migration.

This change is part of a larger security initiative within the EU, which will introduce another new system known as the 'European Travel Information and Authorisation System' (ETIAS) by 2025.

he ETIAS will require anyone travelling to the Schengen area to submit personal information before their journey. A seven euro fee will also be required to 'apply for authorisation to travel' prior to heading to the region.

Aside from airports, the EES system will also be implemented at certain ports in the South of England where French Border Force conducts immigration checks. This includes Dover, the Eurotunnel and St Pancras.

Holidaymakers are being advised to check with their travel operator if the EES could potentially impact their journey before heading to these ports.

However, the UK Government has stated that it's been working with the EU to ensure the EES system can 'take place as smoothly as possible'.

For instance, it claimed the 'Eurotunnel will have over 100 kiosks' and EES checks should add 'just over five minutes to journey times'. Meanwhile, the Port of Dover will have 24 kiosks and the Eurostar will have almost 50.

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