Queues of two to four hours are expected at some airports
Brits looking to head abroad for a few days of sunshine over the Easter break are being reminded of a new change to travel rules within the EU.
The Foreign Office (FCDO) has advised UK holidaymakers to prepare for extra border checks if heading to destinations like Spain, France, Greece, and Italy in the coming weeks as the new Entry/Exit System (EES) is officially launched on 10 April.
Under the new rules, UK citizens must register biometric data upon first entry into the Schengen Area for visits up to 90 days in a rolling 180‑day period. They must do so again when they leave that country.
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The EES has been introduced to strengthen border security and detect overstayers. The process involves fingerprint scanning and a high-resolution digital photo at dedicated kiosks.
The countries in the Schengen area include:
- 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
The Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are not within the Schengen area, so EES is not applicable when travelling to either of these countries.
The Foreign Office warns: “EES may take each passenger a few minutes extra to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border.”
The registration is free but will add processing time for every traveller. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting but must still have photos taken. Digital records will be stored securely for three years, after which only quick verification scans are needed.
For travellers using Dover, Folkestone Eurotunnel, or St Pancras Eurostar, EES registration will take place on British soil before departure.
Local authorities have expressed concerns about significant congestion at these locations as a result. During the transition period, officials will continue manually stamping passports alongside the new digital system until EES is fully integrated across all border points.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said: “The EU’s Entry Exit System will be a significant change for Brits travelling this Easter. Always check with your transport operator in case extra time may be needed, both for your return to the UK and travelling to the EU. We continue to engage with the European Commission on taking steps to help minimise disruption for Brits as much as possible.”
He added: “The government has also provided more than £10 million for Eurostar, Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover for those needing checks before departure.”
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