A raft of travel rules are lurking round the corner for Brits, which have the potential to bamboozle anyone not paying attention.
From new visa-waiver schemes for European travel to digital fingerprint scans, facial recognition checks and what’s allowed in bags going through airport security, there’s plenty to keep an eye on.
It comes as the implementation of a new ‘contactless corridor’ plan to use facial recognition technology means Britons will be able to skip long passport queues and breeze through border controls.
Travellers flying back to the UK from abroad will be scanned automatically after touching down, leaving them free to walk to the exit without waiting to get their passport checked.
Although these changes won’t begin taking effect until October, it’s worth preparing for potential setbacks, such as upcoming fees and permits, for anyone who has plans to travel next year and into 2027.
But what does it ultimately mean for UK residents travelling through and to countries across Europe?
Read on to find out how these changes affect you…
What is about to change?
A raft of travel rules are lurking round the corner for Brits, which have the potential to bamboozle anyone not paying attention
First up is the introduction of a new Entry/Exit System (EES) at EU borders, using automated self-service kiosks featuring facial recognition and digital fingerprints.
These kiosks are designed to replace officials making physical passport checks and issuing stamps.
When is this happening?
The official EU wording is that it’s ‘expected to start in October 2025’ and that it will be rolled out at borders by April 2026 when the system installation will be complete.
How do you give digital fingerprints and photos?
You don’t have to go out of your way to do anything. The first time you cross an EU border, four digital fingerprints and one digital picture will be taken.
This should last a few seconds, however hold-ups are possible due to the unfamiliar equipment.
Could this mean terrible border delays?
Cars queueing at the Port of Calais. For those coming back into Britain, lines like this could soon be a thing of the past
Possibly, especially at ports such as Dover when coaches with many passengers arrive – although there will be ‘border control plazas’ for larger groups. Nevertheless, the initial faff of registration is expected to cause some queues.
Will this just be a problem at ports?
It could also happen at airports, especially when multiple planes land around the same time.
Is this definitely going ahead?
The official phrase ‘expected to start in October’ makes us wonder whether it could be postponed. So you’re right to be sceptical.
There’s a strong possibility the EU might delay the new EES system, which it has done previously – the scheme was originally planned for 2022.
However, at the moment, October is the proposed start date.
What will it mean when you get to an EU border?
There’s a new Entry/Exit System (EES) at EU borders, using automated self-service kiosks featuring facial recognition and digital fingerprints, being introduced. These kiosks are designed to replace officials making physical passport checks and issuing stamps
In the future – once you have been registered after your first digital fingerprints and facial photos are taken – you will just be able to use the new automatic EES kiosks.
Could that actually end up being quicker?
Potentially in the long run – if enough kiosks are installed at airports – though no-one is certain.
The Home Office has been trialling new technology at ports, called ‘contactless corridors’, for passengers returning to Britain from elsewhere in a bid to cut waiting times.
This camera-powered biometric tech doesn’t require you to flash your passport or get out of the car
Instead, your face is your passport, and pictures of occupants through the car windscreens/windows will allow for speedier passage.
This facial recognition technology could become the norm from as early as next year.
At the moment ferry companies advise holidaymakers to allow 90 minutes to complete manual passport inspections.
In the future – once you have been registered after your first digital fingerprints and facial photos are taken – you will just be able to use the new automatic EES kiosks as the EU border
How do ETIAS permits to enter the EU work?
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will be introduced six months after EES begins and will be mandatory for travel in the EU.
How much will ETIAS cost?
You will have to pay €7 (£5.87), and your ETIAS pass will be valid for three years or until your passport runs out.
When will we need to buy an ETIAS?
In theory, six months from October – so around April 2026. But confusingly the EU says they will not be required until ‘the last quarter of 2026’.
There is also expected to be a ‘transitional period’ of six months beyond that.
How can I keep a track of all of this?
High-resolution cameras could be used to scan drivers’ faces as they make their way towards the incoming UK border (file picture)
On the ETIAS website (travel-europe.europa.eu). An official EU ETIAS app will also eventually be created – any ‘ETIAS’ apps out there currently are imposters.
When will the 100ml airport water rule be lifted?
Some UK airports have already introduced high-tech scanners allowing 100ml liquid containers to be kept in bags.
Smaller airports such as London City, Newcastle, Leeds-Bradford, Teesside, Birmingham and Southend have the new scanners. At Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester the technology is not in place yet.
There may be trails and tests over the coming months. It’s a similar hit-and-miss situation with rules at airports abroad.
What’s the new ETA?
ETAs (Electronic Travel Authorisation) start from April 2, but they are not for British passport holders – just for European visitors to our shores (costing £10 for two years). They already began for non-European visitors in January.
Anything else to know?
For travel within the EU your passport must have been issued within ten years of your departure date, and must also have more than three months’ validity on your intended return date
You can only spend 90 days out of any 180-day period within the Schengen area.
This area covers the whole of the EU, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, but excepting Ireland and Cyprus.
And for travel within the EU your passport must have been issued within ten years of your departure date, and must also have more than three months’ validity on your intended return date.
Many people have been caught out on this rule recently, with some even wrongly turned away from their flights.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .