Urgent travel warning to Brits heading to France, Italy, Spain and other EU countries
Travellers heading to the EU may face delays, Government officials have warned.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) sent a tweet today urging Brits to be aware of the potential for being help up by 'EES-related delays'.
The Entry/Exit system (EES) is a new digital border system that will change requirements for British nationals travelling to the Schengen area. Currently, the Schengen area consists of 26 European countries, 22 are EU states including popular tourist destinations for Brits such as France, Spain and Italy.
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If you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area using a UK passport, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints or a photo, when you arrive. EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the EU.
It has not yet been confirmed exactly when EES is being introduced. However, that has not stopped the FCDO sending a tweet urging Brits to be aware of the situation.
"EES is coming soon," the tweet said. "The UK Government is working to minimise EES-related delays. Ports like Eurotunnel and Dover are upgrading their systems to make the process as smooth as possible. For more information, check: https://ow.ly/GAIM50Tsx0b."
The FCDO stats on its website: "When EES is introduced, you will need to create a digital record on your first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport on arrival. You will be required to submit your fingerprints and have your photo taken at dedicated booths.
You will not need to provide any information before travelling to a Schengen area country. If you are flying to a country in the Schengen area, you may experience longer queue times when you arrive at your destination.
At some ports and international stations (Dover, Eurotunnel and St Pancras), there may be increased wait times while EES registration is completed before passengers leave the UK. If you are travelling through one of these stations, you should check with your travel operator to find out whether EES will affect your journey.
Your digital record is valid for three years. If you enter the Schengen area again during this time, you will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when you enter and exit. It is being brought in to improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries, and reduce illegal migration in the Schengen area.