{"id":433613,"date":"2025-09-18T12:33:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T12:33:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/433613\/"},"modified":"2025-09-18T12:33:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T12:33:12","slug":"uk-tourists-warned-of-longer-wait-at-eu-borders-next-month-as-compulsory-new-rule-brought-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/433613\/","title":{"rendered":"UK tourists warned of \u2018longer wait\u2019 at EU borders next month as compulsory new rule brought in"},"content":{"rendered":"

New rules come into force from October 12 for 29 EU countries\"Brits travelling to 29 EU countries will face tougher border checks from October 12 as the EES system is rolled out (Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Holidaymakers travelling to Europe next month are warned of long queues at the EU<\/a> border as new rules come into effect.<\/p>\n

From October 12, the European Union<\/a> is launching the Entry\/Exit System (EES), which will require British travellers to have their fingerprints and photo taken when first entering or leaving the Schengen area, which applies to 29 European countries.<\/p>\n

The scheme will be rolled out gradually across external borders over a period of six months, so some travellers will notice a change right away while others will not.<\/p>\n

During this period, Brits will still have their passports stamped but once the EES is fully implemented it will replace the passport stamping system. Once a digital EES record is created for a traveller, it will be valid for three years.<\/p>\n

Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The EES is set to be \u201cfully operational\u201d from April 10 2026, according to the European Union.<\/p>\n

In a recent Q+A shared in The Independent, longstanding travel journalist Simon Calder<\/a> issued advice for those travelling to Europe next month and in the weeks following October 12.<\/p>\n

\"BritsBrits will face tougher checks at the EU border from October 12(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

He warned travellers that the EES system adds an \u2018extra hurdle\u2019 when arriving at the EU border. One reader asked: \u201cWhat does EES mean for Britons queuing at border points?\u201d<\/p>\n

Calder replied: \u201cA longer wait than normal. All the current red tape \u2013 checking and stamping British passports \u2013 will continue. But you will have to pass the registration hurdle too.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that during the EES rollouts, \u201ca human inspection and stamping of UK passports is mandatory up to and including April 9 2026.\u201d So British travellers will face both the EES checks and passport stamping.<\/p>\n

Join the Manchester Evening News <\/strong>WhatsApp<\/strong> group <\/strong>HERE<\/a><\/p>\n

The aim of the EES is to boost border security and ensure people do not overstay the 90-day limit in any 180 period. The scheme applies to non-EU nationals travelling to Europe for a short stay who either possess a short-stay visa, or do not need a visa to stay for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period – which include British nationals.<\/p>\n

The UK Government said that those entering the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International, will be subject to EES checks at the border before leaving the UK. Travellers will also need to provide either their fingerprint or photo when they leave the Schengen area.<\/p>\n

Full list of countries implementing the EES scheme:<\/p>\n