A new survey reveals a significant lack of awareness among Britons about the upcoming European Union Entry/Exit System (EES), raising concerns about long queues and potential delays at airports in Europe.
The EES, set to launch in November 2024, will replace manual passport stamping with biometric checks, requiring fingerprint scans and facial recognition. While aimed at improving security, the system has sparked worries about processing times, particularly in unprepared locations.
The survey, conducted by Co-op Insurance, found that 63% of UK respondents were unaware of the EES. This lack of knowledge coincides with anxieties expressed by French airport authorities regarding their ability to implement the system before the summer rush.
Adding to the travel woes is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), expected in May 2025.
This separate requirement will see Britons needing pre-approved travel authorisation for visits to popular European destinations.
An ETIAS permit will cost around €7 and all travellers planning to visit one or more of the 30 countries where the pass is applicable will have to pay to get one, with a couple of exceptions. Applicants over the age of 70 will receive an ETIAS free of charge, as will minors (aged 18 or under).
The European countries that will require a valid ETIAS upon arrival at their borders are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
The UK Parliament’s European Scrutiny Committee has launched an inquiry into the EES, particularly its potential impact on UK borders, including potential gridlock in Kent, a key entry point for travel to Europe.
