UK Travellers Face Four-Hour Delays with New EU Border Rules According to ITV News
UK holidaymakers are being warned about substantial delays as new EU border rules come into effect. The Entry Exit System (EES) starts on Sunday and applies to travellers from third-country nations, including the UK. This new requirement mandates that fingerprints and photographs be collected from visitors prior to entry into 29 European countries, particularly those in the Schengen area.
Anticipated Delays for UK Travellers
Experts caution British passport holders to expect longer processing times. Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership, advises that travellers should allow up to four hours at major airports in southern Europe during the initial rollout of the system. She expressed concerns over the possibility of overwhelming volumes of arrivals at similar times leading to significant delays at border control.
Advice from Travel Experts
- Allow extra time for border control to avoid missing onward connections.
- Consider booking later transfers after landing.
Rory Boland, editor of which? Travel, echoed this warning. He noted that while the Home Office believes additional checks should take only one to two minutes, busy periods could result in longer waits than expected.
Implementation of the EES
Specific locations such as London’s St Pancras railway station, the Port of Dover, and the Folkestone terminal for Eurotunnel will require travellers to complete EES checks before departure. New kiosks have been set up at these points; however, not all travellers will need to use them immediately.
The EES will be introduced gradually across participating EU member states, with full implementation scheduled by April 10 of the following year. All travellers will have their EES registration valid for three years, although re-verification will occur with each trip during that period. Eventually, this system will eliminate the need for border officers to stamp passports.
Long-term Benefits of the EES
Mark Tanzer, CEO of Abta, believes that while initial delays may occur, especially during peak travel periods, the EES is designed to streamline the travel process in the long run. He encourages countries to remain vigilant and adjust the system as needed to prevent excessive waits.
The EES aims to enhance security by assisting Schengen countries in identifying potential criminals, combating identity fraud, and reducing illegal immigration. It also aims to automate border checks to help prevent visitors from overstaying their permitted time in the EU.
