UK travellers to Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy issued warning over 2 airport rules

Brits heading on their holidays to Europe have been warned to expect delays later this year as new border control rules are set to come into effect.

The new system, which is expected to be rolled out in November, will see face and fingerprint scanning brought in at all borders, meaning travellers will need to factor in more time to create a biometric profile.

While an exact start date is yet to be confirmed, the Entry Exit System (EES), will come into effect for all 27 EU countries in November. Last week it was revealed that £10.5 million in funding has been allocated to support preparations at key UK travel hubs including the Port of Dover, the Eurotunnel in Folkestone and Eurostar at St Pancras Station in London.

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It's hoped that the additional funding will prevent huge queues and delays as people travel to and from the continent.

British travellers have been issued a warning by the UK Foreign Office, which states that all UK citizens travelling to EU countries will be required to create a digital record and register their biometric data upon arrival.

The recent update reads: "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.", reports the Manchester Evening News.

Brits travelling to a host of popular European destinations have been warned that they will have to have their fingerprints and photo taken at the border. The new rules could cause delays, with the government website stating: "You may experience longer queues at borders when the new system starts."

Travellers who enter the Schengen area through Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International will be processed before leaving the UK. The government website explains: "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 new rules apply to the following European countries:

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

Passports will continue to be stamped manually for those travelling to Cyprus and Ireland.