A new piece of legislation means that UK holidaymakers will be fingerprinted before they travel to EU countries like France, Greece, Italy and Spain.
The new EU Entry and Exit System (EES) was set to be introduced last year, but was delayed to May 2023, reports Yorkshire Live. The introduction of the law was further delayed again until the end of 2023.
The EES is an automated IT system that will register travellers from non-EU countries so they can head abroad to EU countries. The Government has confirmed that this includes the UK.
This means that each time you cross a border into or out of the European Union, you will have your passport and other travel documents scanned before going in or out.
This self-service kiosk will then input your name, type of travel document, fingerprints and a photo of your face, the current date and the place on entry and exit.
According to Government officials, it is likely that non-EU or Schengen citizens who don't need a visa to enter the EU will have their fingerprints and photo taken the first time they cross the border into the EU.
This data will then be wiped three years after your last trip to the EES area for data protection reasons.
If you do need a visa to enter the EU, you won't need to give your fingerprints, as these will have already been taken as part of the visa application.
The European Commission says this will apply to every EU country, except Cyprus and Ireland. The rule will also apply to Iceland, Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein.
All nationals of countries that aren't in the EU or Schengen will have to use the EES when travelling for short stays - but legal residents or those with long-stay visas in EU countries will be exempt.
This news means that the EES will be put in place at the Port of Dover, the Eurostar and Eurotunnel terminals across the UK.
There is currently an agreement in place that means French authorities can also conduct border checks at these departure points in the UK.
Currently, it is unclear exactly how this system will operate and reports from the Government suggest that there may be further delays. Officials added that they are currently working with operators to minimise impact on border and traffic flows.
The data taken from the EES will be used to ensure obedience on entry and permitted length of stays - and will record anyone who overstays and any refusals of entry.
Due to the UK and Ireland having a common travel area in place, this means that the EES will not be in place for travel between these two countries.
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