CHANGES to rules for Brits entering other European countries have been delayed further, to make sure that all countries are ready to implement them. What's more, the rules have also been loosened to prevent lengthy queues forming at airports and borders. New Schengen Area border checks were expected to be brought in from October 6 this year.
But that has since been pushed back to Sunday, November 10 at the earliest. However, there is also a “last resort” option to postpone that further by a week to November 17, according to a report in The Independent . This sees yet another delay to the system, which has been pushed back on several occasions, after an original launch date set as far back as 2021.
The new system, known as EES, will end the stamping of passports for non-EU travellers. Instead, the new system will check passengers' names, biometric data and the place of entry and exit. Brits, along with other non-EU arrivals, will have to provide fingerprints , as well as facial biometrics before they arrive at the airport, ferry port or rail terminal from where they're due to depart.
However, the Independent also claims that the rules around biometrics have been loosened in order to reduce the chance of large queues forming. They claim that a “relief valve” will be introduced as part of the scheme, which will allow people at crowded checkpoints to avoid the biometric registration on first entry. It is hoped that this will significantly ease the chances of delays.
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