Strict new e-gate rules will force British holidaymakers to have their photographs and fingerprints taken when entering EU countries. Concerns have been raised about the changes, which officials fears Brits will not be prepared for and could cause travel chaos.
The new system will impact travellers heading to EU countries, including popular holiday destinations like Spain, Italy and Greece. From October, British and non-EU passport holders will have to go through fingerprint checks and face scans under the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES).
This will replace the stamping of passports, which began when the UK left the EU. Senior officials are already worried about the prospect of long delays when the new system comes into force.
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French officials said they had asked the EU for the new system to be delayed but believes this is unlikely, MailOnline reports. It was set to launch before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, but this has since been delayed, meaning summer holidays to the continent should not be affected.
It had been scheduled to come into force before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, but this has since been delayed. “It is a challenge and we must not get this wrong,” French transport minister Patrice Vergriete told a recent conference.
‘I’m even going to ask for a further postponement, but it seems difficult to me to get it from the European authorities. We will do our utmost to be on time, and we are all aware that things are not going to run totally smoothly.
“We have little visibility and are doubtful about police numbers and technology.”