The Foreign Office has issued a travel update for 30 countries, including popular destinations like France, Italy, Germany and Greece, as new border rules come into effect for UK travellers.
The updated advice highlights the new Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires UK holidaymakers to register biometric data, including fingerprints and a photo, when entering the Schengen area. The system is free and applies to all UK travellers, including children and babies.
What the new rules mean for travellers
The advice states: "On your first visit into a Schengen country, you may be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk. Follow directions from your travel operator or the staff at your port of entry. You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken."
Travellers do not need to do anything before arriving at the airport, as checks are conducted at border control. However, Brits have already faced longer queues and delays at hotspots following the rollout of the system. Greece has temporarily suspended the requirement for UK holidaymakers over the summer season to mitigate the impact of crowds.
How EES works
The advice explains: "EES is replacing the previous system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays. You may be asked to input biometric details every time you enter or exit."
For those entering through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone, or Eurostar at St Pancras International, information will be taken at the border before leaving the UK. A digital EES record is valid for three years.
Long-term residents in a Schengen country are exempt from EES in all Schengen countries, and the full list of exemptions is available on the EU's official Travel Europe website. If travellers believe they have been incorrectly entered into EES or their record is incorrect, they should approach border officials at the next crossing and request a correction, carrying documentation confirming their status if exempt.
Countries in the Schengen Area
The Schengen Area includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
