New guidelines coming into drive this weekend will change the best way UK passport holders journey to virtually 30 european international locations, together with fashionable vacation locations like Spain, Portugal, Italy, France and Croatia.
They’re a part of the European Union’s new border security plan, the entry and exit system (EES), which has been in planning since earlier than Brexit. The foundations apply to all non-EU nationals travelling for a brief keep in Schengen Space international locations
Nonetheless, they don’t apply to holders of residence permits and long-stay visas, these exempt from border checks (i.e heads of state, cross-border employees), some coaching/analysis/research travels and non-EU nationals with residence playing cards and speedy relations to EU nationals. The full list of exemptions will be discovered on the EU web site.
But for those that will be effected, here’s everything we know.
What are the new rules for European travel?
From Sunday, October 12, UK citizens will have to provide fingerprints and have a photo taken on their first visit to the Schengen Area at the port or airport on arrival.
If you are flying, the checks will take place on arrival to the country. However, if you are entering from the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International, EES checks can be accomplished on the border, earlier than you allow the UK. You may additionally want to offer both your fingerprint or picture whenever you go away the Schengen Space.
The digital border scheme is expected be rolled out over the space of 180 days – from the end of this week to April 9 2026.
The EES is an automated IT system which has been brought into place in order to make it easier to register non-EU nationals who are travelling to the EU for a short stay. A short stay is considered to be any time running up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
The system will note the passenger’s name, the type of travel document they are using, biometric data including fingerprints and captured facial images and the date of place of entry and exit.
It will replace the current system of manually stamping passports, as your file will now be stored digitally in the EU system – so scanning the passport will suffice.
The EU has said the new system will eventually modernise the management of its borders and lead to an improved, easier, and quicker experience for travellers.
It is designed to combat identity fraud and spot overstayers to the EU, in addition to strengthen safety throughout the bloc.
The system can be utilized by the 29 international locations within the Schengen Space, which ensures free motion to its 450 million EU residents.
Schengen Space international locations the place the brand new journey guidelines will apply
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Czechia
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Liechtenstein
- Luxemburg
- Malta
- Norway
- The Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romenia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Do the EES journey guidelines apply to airports solely?
The EES will function at prepare and ferry ports too. The system can be put in place on the Port of Dover and Eurostar in addition to the Eurotunnel terminals in the UK.
There can be self-service kiosks in St Pancras station for Eurostar passengers, however passengers should get out of their vehicles to register on the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone, Kent.
In Dover, automotive passengers can be supplied pill computer systems to register and might stay of their autos, however coach passengers should disembark and use kiosks.
“EES may take each passenger a few extra minutes to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border once the system starts,” The Foreign Office said.
They have added that the data of those travelling will normally be erased from the system three years after their last trip to an EU country using the EES.
