British travellers are being advised to expect longer queues and ensure they have travel insurance after the European Union rolled out its new Entry/Exit system (EES).
Non-EU citizens now need to provide fingerprints and facial scans when arriving in Schengen area countries such as Spain, France and Italy.
The aim of the new system, which was fully rolled out by April, is to keep track of those who enter and exit the area, ensuring people do not overstay their permitted time – 90 days in any 180-day period.
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If you overstay your permitted time, you face fines ranging from €500 to €10,000 depending on the country and the length of the overstay, plus you could be banned from re-entering.
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Experts warn that these new checks are leading to longer wait times at the border for holidaymakers.
It’s important to give yourself enough time to get through as travel insurers won’t cover EES-related delays.
Anna-Marie Duthie, travel insurance expert at analysts Defaqto, said: “No travel insurance provider currently explicitly covers delays caused by the Entry/Exit System, largely because it is considered part of the normal border process.
“In practice, that means it remains the traveller's responsibility to allow extra time for potentially longer queues at the airport.”
Some individual countries may even ask for proof of medical insurance as part of the new EES as well, making the case to take out travel insurance all the more important.
The Association of British Insurers said: “While the EES system itself does not mandate travel insurance, border officials or EES kiosks may inquire about it.
“Some individual countries (such as France) may require proof of adequate medical coverage for entry. This is a national rule, not an EES rule.”
How does the EES work?
The aim of the EES is to replace passport stamping for all non-EU citizens and help track compliance with the 90-day visa-free travel rule.
Under the new rules, British passport-holders and other non-EU nationals need to register on their first visit to a country where EES checks are operating.
When you arrive in a participating country, you will need to scan your passport and have your fingerprints and photograph taken.
There will be questions to complete such as the reason for your visit and whether you have medical insurance.
Registration is valid for a rolling three-year period or until your passport expires.
Rather than having your passport checked at the end of your trip, you will only need to scan your passport and provide either fingerprints or a photograph at the border.
For travellers using the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, the process will take place at the border before departing the UK.
Who has to follow the EES rules?
The rules will affect most Brits unless you are covered by Withdrawal Agreement residence documents or have an EU passport.
Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted but under the new EU rules, all travellers, including babies, will be photographed and have digital records created.
You will need to complete the checks at any participating airports.
The rules for cruises are slightly different.
Cruises starting and ending in the UK are exempt from EES, even if they include stops in Schengen ports. But you will need to comply if you are embarking or disembarking in a Schengen country.
EES will not be required when travelling to Ireland and Cyprus.
How to avoid EES delays
The checks should only take up to two minutes for each person, but this may lead to longer queues at border control.
The Airports Council International, which represents airports across more than 160 countries, has warned waiting times have “increased significantly” since the rollout of the new EES.
Experts advise turning up early and having any documentation such as proof of accommodation and medical cover to hand as border officials may ask further questions about your trip.
Don’t turn up too early though, as this could lead to queues building up at airports, ports and train stations.
Some airlines, cruise companies and train operators have guidance on their websites stating the ideal time you should arrive before departure, so it’s worth checking before your travel day.
It’s also worth signing up to airline or travel agent apps, as some will send out alerts warning of significant delays to your journey.
Yasmin Peskel, travel expert at Blue Cruise, said: “The EES is a fundamental change to how we enter the EU. If people take it seriously and prepare, they’ll get through it fine. But if they treat it like the old system, the risk of starting your holiday in chaos is very real.”
Which countries are in the Schengen area?
The Schengen area covers four million square kilometres and includes 29 countries:
- 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
- Switzerland
