Travel warning for Brits jetting off on Europe holiday as new entry rules to be fully rolled out in days
BRITS jetting off to countries including Spain and France should be aware of new entry rules which are set to be rolled out in full in just a matter of days.
The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), which is an automated border check for non-EU nationals, comes into full force on September 7.
It involves people from third-party countries such as the UK having their fingerprints registered and photograph taken to enter the Schengen Area, which consists of 29 European countries, mainly in the EU.
This system first launched back in April, and was linked to lengthy queues and in some cases passengers missed their flights.
As it stands, EU member states are able to pause the checks in “exceptional circumstances”. This includes when queues get too long.
But come September 7, they will no longer be able to temporarily switch off the system at airports.
It means the rules will be fully enforced with no exceptions, raising fears of even longer queues for British holidaymakers.
Popular holiday destinations including Greece, Spain and France have all used flexibility when needed.
Back in July, countries including Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland wrote to Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner asking to keep the congestion EES opt-out, EuroWeekly News reported.
The countries backed a full roll out, but did not want to face a cliff edge before Christmas.
A decision has not yet been made on the extension, so travellers should prepare to use the EES machines on September 7.
It comes as the new system has caused huge problems for those holidaying abroad this summer.
Some Brits reported waiting for up to six hours in airports and others even missed their flight.