Huge new EU travel change coming in MONTHS to cause chaos for Brits visiting Europe
BRITS visiting Europe at the end of the year could face travel chaos following a huge change to EU rules.
The overhaul will see border control staff use biometric data like fingerprints and facial scans to track entries and exits, rather than passport stamps.
This will mean Brits travelling for the first time after the rollout will need to have their fingerprints registered and their picture taken – among other logistical hurdles.
Officials fear that the new system, called the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), could dramatically increase delays when it is rolled out in October.
Airlines have been warned they may need to hold passengers on planes to ease overcrowding at European terminals.
Meanwhile, drivers approaching the Channel Tunnel in Kent have been told to expect wait times of between five and seven minutes – as opposed to the current wait time of less than one minute.
And bosses at the Eurostar’s London terminal are scrambling to install 49 kiosks amid fears of bottlenecks – which could also hit the Port of Dover.
The EES was designed to ease disruption and make EU borders more secure in the face of terrorist threats.
It was originally due to come into force in November last year, but was postponed at the last minute as airports warned of potential chaos.
Germany, France and the Netherlands were particularly instrumental in the delay – saying they were not ready.
But, on Wednesday, an EU committee voted to roll out the system in progressive stages from October – with all members states obliged to adopt it within six months.
Assita Kanko, the Belgian conservative MEP (New Flemish Alliance) responsible for the EES system, said: “We will no longer let the slowest pupils hold the whole class back.
“The safety of Europeans can no longer be postponed.”
She added: “Reliance on paper stamps at borders, while criminals operate digitally, is unacceptable.
“The EES is not just a security measure but also aids legal travellers more efficiently, with fewer queues and increased certainty.”
The first time you travel after the system goes live, you’ll need to scan your passport, provide fingerprints, and have your photo taken – as well as answering four questions about your trip.
After that, you’ll only need to provide one biometric detail – either your fingerprint or a facial scan – for the next three years or until your passport expires.
If you’re travelling by Eurostar, Eurotunnel or ferry, checks will be done before departure on UK soil. At airports, the process will happen when you land.
Drivers will have to exit vehicles for checks, sparking fears of longer queues at ferry ports.
Travellers can pre-register details via an app or self-service kiosks at some locations, but the rollout is expected to be phased.
Children under 12 will need their photo taken, but won’t need fingerprints.
A second new system, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias), is expected to launch in autumn 2026.
This will mean that all non-EU nationals, including Brits, will need a visa-waiver to travel to the Schengen Zone.
The Etias waiver will cost €7 (£6) and will be valid for three years, or until your passport expires – whichever comes first.