A DATE has been announced for when new strict rules for Brit holidaymakers heading to Europe will come into force.
The EU will soon demand Brits show certain documentation under the strict new border rules set to be introduced within weeks.
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A new scheme to start from October 12 will require Britons to provide proof of medical insurance, a return or onward, and accommodation before getting through the European border, The Times has revealed.
It includes people travelling by ferry or plane who will need to be ready to show this information through the digital system for arrivals.
Non-EU citizens will also have to have their fingerprints and photographs taken the first time they use it.
Automated kiosks, with the new entry/exit system (EES), will be at most airport and ferry terminals where passengers can complete the process.
The EES will flag any arrivals it deems may be overstaying.
Additionally, if unable to deliver on any of the requirements, a border officer is can be expected to ask questions and has the power to refuse entry.
Post-Brexit rules mean Britons without the right to work or reside in the EU can only stay in Europe for 90 days over a 180-day period.
Launch of the scheme has seen some delay to October this year, which was a date set last month.
It included plans abandoned for it to be introduced in November last year, after France raised concerns of “civil unrest” at crowded borders.
The delay has enabled more time for officials in Brussels implementing the scheme to prepare, with its introduction to come in phases.
The Times still report fears of long queues, confusion among passengers and likely problems arising as the system starts out.
Each country will have the system in operation at one border point for the first month, which will eventually increase.
It is expected the system will be fully in operation by April 10 next year throughout the 29 European countries it is covering.
Senior figures in the travel industry are still uncertain how the system will work exactly.
This is despite work on the new digital system having started in 2016.
Director of public affairs at Abta, Luke Petherbridge, said: “Its primary function is digitising the border.
“If you were to answer one of these questions in a way that you know wasn’t aligned with the answer they were looking for, you would be sent to a border guard.
“You wouldn’t necessarily be denied entry.”
He expects more people to be questioned at the border due to EES checks being done at kiosks.
The EES will also replace passports being stamped, making it easier for border officers to monitor compliance with lengths of stay with an automatic count produced.
People who are detected breaching terms of the Brexit agreement will be rejected.
Those travelling by cross-Channel ferries, Eurostar, or Le Shuttle into the continent will complete the EES checks in the UK, due to French border processes being carried out before departure.
106 kiosks have been installed at Folkestone, Getlink, which runs the Channel tunnel.
And old dock has been created at Dover to provide a new processing area that is said to be the size of five football pitches.
Brussels is also said to be developing a mobile app, which will allow people to upload their pictures and answer questions prior to arriving at the border point.
Countries will be able to opt into this capability.
Additionally, the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) is expected to begin in late 2026.
This will require British citizens without a visa or residency permit of the EU to apply for a €20 waiver before travelling into the zone.
It will be valid for three years, similar to the US Esta.
Changes are expected to be announced by the Home Office through a public information campaign to inform travellers.
According to one spokeswoman, border agents could already start asking for evidence from British passport holders.
She said: “The government has been working closely with the European Commission, member states, local authorities and the travel industry to prepare ports for EES, and we are supporting ports and carriers to ensure EES registration is simple for anyone travelling to the Schengen area.”
