7:57 pm - October 24, 2025
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brand-new guidelines for all Brits heading to Europe have actually been presented today.
The brand-new Entry Exit System (EES) will now need any non-EU residents to sign up at the EU border.
Instead of passport stamps, this will consist of a passport scan in addition to finger prints and photos being taken.
Kids under 12 will not have their finger prints taken, although all visitors no matter age will have their image taken.
Concerns will likewise be asked relating to holding of a return ticket home and whether the tourist has adequate funds to cover their journey.
This impacts all Schengen location nations, consisting of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Non-Schengen nations it will not be needed for are Ireland or Cyprus.
This will be performed on the UK side of the Port of Dover for travelers heading on a cruise, in addition to anybody utilizing the Eurotunnel at Folkestone and Eurostar in London
Anybody taking a trip to Europe by airplane will have the checks at the border when they land.
Estonia and Luxembourg are the 2 nations that are totally presenting the brand-new EES today.
Brits taking a trip from the UK will require to sign up for their very first go to, although this will then last for 3 years or till the passport ends.
The brand-new guidelines are being presented in stages over the next 6 months, will a complete present total by April 2026.
It is hoped this will avoid big border lines and hold-ups.
Nevertheless, some specialists have actually revealed issues.
Tom Jenkins, president of European travel association Etoa, informed Travel Weekly: “It’s a total muddle.
They can’t have a partial system, which is what they’re attempting to do– to begin enrolment, to get the electronic record up even if it’s not an appropriate record.
” So, they’re going to sign up individuals as well as marking their passport.”
Nevertheless, the Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, stated: ” We acknowledge that EES checks will be a considerable modification for British visitors, which is why we have actually worked carefully with our European partners to make sure the rollout goes as efficiently as possible.
” The UK and EU have a shared goal of protecting our borders and these modernisation steps will assist us secure our residents and avoid prohibited migration.”
Minister for Air Travel, Maritime and Decarbonisation, Keir Mather, included that they had actually backed the relocation with ₤ 10.5 million financing to assist relieve the procedure of the EES system.
They included: “Our top priority is to reduce interruption for visitors and hauliers, especially at our busiest border crossings.
” We’ll continue working carefully with European partners and regional durability online forums to keep traffic streaming and journeys smooth.”
The guidelines presently permitting Brits to go to Europe for 90 days in a 180 day duration will stay the same.
Yet to be presented is another modification for Brits heading to Europe – the ETIAS.
The Sun’s Head of Travel discusses more
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot has actually discussed whatever you require to understand about the upcoming EES.
While airports throughout Europe have the area to include this extra procedure it is still going to include a big quantity of additional time to the customizeds checks.
Although it will get rid of the requirement to have stamps in your passport, whatever will still require to be examined either by a border officer or an e-gate.
Where things might get actually bad are at ports like Dover – where there are considerable area restrictions and numerous people will be taking a trip together in vehicles and coaches.
Both Eurostar and Le Shuttle bus have actually invested millions in brand-new centers to process travelers however it is practically inescapable that the very first couple of months of the system might result in prolonged hold-ups as all of us get utilized to the brand-new system.
Comparable to the ESTA needed for checking out the United States, the visa-waiver will be needed for all UK passport holders heading to an EU nation.
This will be presented next year, and might cost approximately EUR20, although will last 3 years.
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