The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a fresh travel update for British holidaymakers travelling to destinations in the Schengen area, including Spain, France, Portugal and Greece, following the rollout of a new entry system.

UK tourists are being warned to prepare for longer waits and extra checks at borders, and to allow additional time to clear airport security when travelling to 29 countries across Europe. The warning comes following the rollout of the European Union's new Entry Exit System (EES) which became fully operational at the external borders of 29 European countries on April 10. The EES is designed to improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries, and requires Brits to register their fingerprints and a facial photo at European borders on entry.

Under the new system, each time a nonEU resident enters or exits the Schengen area, their biometrics and passport details will be digitally recorded.

These border checks, which replace physical passport stamps, create a digital record of when nonEU residents travel to the Schengen area for a short stay (up to 90 days in a rolling 180day period) and when they leave. The system aims to tighten border security by detecting overstayers and reduce illegal migration within the Schengen area.

The EES is operational in all EU member states except Ireland and Cyprus, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, and is governed by EU law.

As of April 10, EES is now fully implemented at all EU airports and ports and while the FCDO said British travellers don't need to do anything in advance, as everything takes place at border control on the day of travel, free of charge, the process of entering countries may take longer than usual.

In an update to its travel advice for countries in the Schengen area, the FCDO said: "The European Union's (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area.

"This means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration.

"On your first visit into a Schengen country, you may be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk. Follow directions from your travel operator or the staff at your port of entry. You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken.

"EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border. EES is replacing the previous system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays. You may be asked to input biometric details every time you enter or exit."

To register for EES for the first time, a photo of your face will be taken and your passport scanned. Adults and children aged 12 and over will also have their fingerprints scanned.

For travellers using Eurostar at St Pancras, Eurotunnel LeShuttle at Folkestone, or the Port of Dover (known as "juxtaposed ports"), EES registration takes place before leaving the UK. Otherwise, registration happens on arrival in the destination country.

EES checks should take only a few minutes per person, but the FCDO has warned that longer waits at border control are possible, including for journeys back to the UK. As such, travellers are advised to allow plenty of time to complete these checks, particularly if they have connections or onward transport booked.

Although EES requires checks on each entry and exit to the Schengen area, once registered, future visits will be more straightforward.

Once registered, travellers will only need to scan their passport and confirm their identity by having either a photo taken or a fingerprint scan. Registration is valid for three years, or until the passport expires, whichever is soonest.

Entries and exits, or entry refusals will be electronically registered in the EES, but in Cyprus and Ireland - despite being countries of the EU - passports will still be stamped manually.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, added: "Always check with your transport operator in case extra time may be needed, both for your return to the UK and travelling to the EU.

"We continue to engage with the European Commission on taking steps to help minimise disruption for Brits as much as possible. The government has also provided more than £10 million for Eurostar, Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover for those needing checks before departure."

Listed are the 29 European countries where the EES is now fully in operation:

• Austria


• Belgium


• Bulgaria


• Croatia


• Czechia


• Denmark


• Estonia


• Finland


• France


• Germany


• Greece


• Hungary


• Iceland


• Italy


• Latvia


• Liechtenstein


• Lithuania


• Luxembourg


• Malta


• Netherlands


• Norway


• Poland


• Portugal


• Romania


• Slovakia


• Slovenia


• Spain


• Sweden


• Switzerland