International airline TUI has issued a warning to Brits to expect delays in airports as a result of brand-new passport rule changes that are weeks away from going live.
As a result of Brexit, the pending rule changes will impact UK travellers who want to travel to dozens of countries across Europe.
It comes as the European Union (EU) tries to strengthen the border control across the vast political and economic body so that people who don't have EU passports don't overstay their welcome.
What is the EU doing?
The EU is bringing in a new passport control system at its borders, called the Entry / Exit System (EES).
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The EES is set to go live across all airports, ports, and international train depots (think Eurostar), and will mean your passport is no longer stamped by border force personnel.
Instead, your retinas will be scanned and your fingerprints will be taken by new border control technology.
The rules will apply to Brits - as well as any other non-EU nationals - who want to travel in to the Schengen Area.
Officially, this is any of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, or Switzerland.
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What is TUI saying about the Entry / Exit System?
Airline TUI has issued a warning over the EES, saying that passengers from the UK can expect delays upon arrival at one of the Schengen countries.
"When the EES is operational, it's planned that all entry and exit movements will be registered electronically," TUI said.
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A statement added: "Upon arrival at your destination, the first time you use it, it might take a bit longer than usual to pass through border control as your biometric data (face image and four fingerprints) will be collected.
"Children under 12 years old will not have their fingerprints collected. On the day of travel, in case there are any delays, you may wish to take along extra water to make your airport journey more comfortable."
On the UK government website, the Foreign Office also warns about the changes and delays.
It reads: "From November 2024, you'll get your fingerprints and photo taken when entering the Schengen area. You'll get either your fingerprints or photo taken when you leave. You will not get a stamp in your passport.
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"Queues at borders may be longer when these changes begin. If you enter the Schengen area through Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International, your fingerprints and photo will be taken before you leave the UK."
Why is the EU bringing in the EES?
The EU is trying to automatically enforce the Schengen 90/180-Day Rule.
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Under this rule, travellers who don't have an EU passport can stay for up to 90 days within any 180 days. At the moment, it requires border control staff to check your stamps and add up the days you've been in the EU.
The new system will put an end to that and automatically flag if you have overstayed your welcome.
The EES is planned to go live on 10 November, with a back up date of 17 November pencilled in if delays are required. On top of the EES, the EU is expected to bring in the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) from mid-2025.
ABTA, the leading association of travel agents and tour operators, says: " When the system is up and running in 2025, visa-exempt travellers from third countries will need to apply for an ETIAS. Put simply, if you are travelling to the EU for a short stay and are not a citizen of an EU or Schengen country, then you will need an ETIAS.
"If you are travelling on a non-UK passport you will need to check if you require an ETIAS or a visa to go to Europe. A short stay refers to visits, holidays or business trips that have a duration of up to 90 days and are taken within a 180 day period.
"If you are travelling on a visa, you don’t need an ETIAS. Irish passport holders are exempt from ETIAS. If you are a British passport holder but have EU residency you also don’t need an ETIAS."
Topics: Travel, Europe, UK News, Politics, Brexit, Technology
Tom Earnshaw