UK travelers to Spain, Italy, and Greece will face new airport regulations starting November 2024. The Entry/Exit System (EES) requires the collection of biometric data at borders. This will likely increase wait times, and travelers are advised to prepare accordingly. Additionally, the UK government has allocated funds for a smooth transition to these changes.
Starting November 2024, UK travelers to Spain, Italy, and Greece must comply with new airport regulations as part of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). According to the UK Foreign Office, these changes, aimed at improving border control efficiency, will require biometric data, including fingerprints and facial recognition, to be collected from non-EU citizens entering or exiting the Schengen zone.
Travelers should anticipate extended wait times due to the implementation of the EES, which is designed to digitize immigration processes across the EU. The UK Foreign Office advises that extra time should be allocated for border crossing, particularly at busy entry points like Dover, Folkestone’s Eurotunnel, and St Pancras Eurostar station, where biometric data collection will occur before departure from the UK.
This new EES framework will be introduced in several Schengen countries, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, along with Spain, Italy, and Greece. The broader initiative aims to bolster security while streamlining traveler processing procedures at international borders.
To facilitate the smooth adoption of the EES system, the UK government has committed £10.5 million. This fund will support enhancements at key entry points to minimize disruptions for travelers as the new measures are integrated, underscoring the importance of preparation for those heading to these popular destinations in the coming months.
Original Source: www.travelandtourworld.com
