New Travel Hurdles for Britons: Biometrics and Visa-Like Fees to Enter Europe Post-Brexit

Adam Boulton: Caution to bank holiday voyagers – European travel complexities are increasing

Upcoming alterations in the regulations for entering Europe are on the horizon, a delayed result of the Brexit vote. The 27-country union will soon require a £6 quasi-visa for entry, in addition to fingerprint and biometric screenings.

Sky News analyst @adamboultonTABB

Sunday, August 25, 2024, 10:

The August bank holiday is here, signaling the return to work for millions following their recent vacations.

This weekend, numerous Britons are set to return from Europe via ports, airports, and the Channel Tunnel.

Travelers faced numerous holdups and border inspections, yet the summer of 2024 is expected to be the most seamless in the foreseeable future.

In a few months, the European Union is set to implement its new "Entry-Exit System" (EES) for UK citizens.

By the end of this year, every UK traveler entering the EU's Schengen zone will be required to undergo fingerprint and biometric verification.

Starting in November 2025, entry will require obtaining a visa-like permit beforehand, which will be priced at €7 (£6) and remain valid for three years.

There is widespread agreement that the implementation of EES will result in increased delays and higher expenses for both travelers and border control agencies.

For instance, individuals traveling by car to Dover have been informed that it might take up to 15 hours to be processed before boarding a ferry.

While it was part of the European Union, the UK backed efforts to reinforce the EU's borders.

Following Brexit, the UK is now experiencing the repercussions from an external perspective.

Starmer might consider postponing highly sensitive limitations once more

At the same time as the new Labour administration in the UK is working to forge closer ties with the EU, additional logistical hurdles are being introduced for UK travelers.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is scheduled to meet with Ursula von der Leyen, who has recently been re-elected as the President of the European Commission, in September. They plan to reinstate frequent meetings between the UK and the European Union.

Regarding identity, the new system simply reaffirms the altered standing of the country.

Going forward, the European Union will interact with British nationals in a manner akin to how it engages with citizens from other allied countries like Japan and the United States.

Europe remains the primary destination for UK travelers, both for business trips and holiday purposes.

According to the latest figures from the UK government, British residents made a total of 66 million trips to Europe last year, with 60 million of these visits occurring within the main EU nations. This is in contrast to the 4.5 million visits made to North America, making it the second

Spain, Greece, Italy, France, and Portugal are the most popular overseas vacation spots for British travelers.

The introduction of stricter border controls, which complicates travel between the UK and Europe, is a highly delicate issue for all involved, and the enforcement of these new measures has faced several delays.

Initially conceived in 2017, the introduction of biometric checks was initially targeted for 2021. However, the most recent implementation date has been pushed to November 10, 2024, a month after the previous deadline set for October. This new timeline should spare travelers any inconvenience during the autumn half-term.

Sir Keir's upcoming discussions might potentially result in additional postponements, though this appears improbable.

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The Times recently reported that Sir Keir is prioritizing a plan that would allow people under 30 to freely move between the UK and the EU for a period of three years.

The proposed setup would mirror the agreements that the UK currently maintains with New Zealand and Australia. This idea was once definitively rejected by Rishi Sunak’s administration when it was brought up by the EU.

Anticipate the initiation of biometric testing come November.

During my travels this summer, I noticed that airports and ferry terminals were equipped with rows of kiosks and sensors, all set up and prepared for use.

Upon arriving in Europe, air passengers will undergo entry procedures. Those traveling by ferry or train should anticipate completing these procedures at departure points in the UK.

It is expected that the expenses and postponements will persist.

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Eurostar has allocated £8.5 million for additional amenities at St Pancras, featuring a new overflow area.

The station will install several ETIAS verification terminals throughout its premises due to limited space in its section of the terminal.

In Folkestone, the site where vehicles, including cars and trucks, enter the Eurotunnel, an additional £70 million has been allocated.

The Dover Port Authority is enhancing its coach processing capabilities at the western docks and aims to increase on-site car storage capacity "by 2027".

New program 'essentially a permit'

The newly mandated ETIAS authorization required for entry into the EU is officially not classified as a visa.

However, Simon Calder, the experienced British travel writer, believes it essentially serves the same purpose and is quite comparable to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) required for entry into the US.

He notes that both processes necessitate a prior online application, submission of substantial personal details, a monetary fee, and ultimately grant the authorization to cross a border.

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In addition to providing information about their age, residence, and passport, applicants will also need to disclose any criminal records and whether they have traveled to conflict areas recently.

Applications for ETIAS are expected to be processed within three days.

Following the implementation of the ETIAS system for UK travelers in May of next year, a six-month leniency period will be in place for any initial confusions. However, starting November 2025, UK citizens must obtain ETIAS authorization to travel, as passport stamping upon entry and exit will also be discontinued.

Online, fraudsters are currently offering services to handle ETIAS applications.

Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, emphasizes that the sole method to obtain an ETIAS is through an application at europa.eu/elias, for a set fee.

The service is currently unavailable and not mandatory for UK residents.

Stay updated with the most recent developments across the UK and globally by tuning into Sky News.

Challenges in immigration and identity influenced by transformation

The Schengen Zone encompasses 27 European Union countries, excluding Ireland and Cyprus, but it also incorporates non-EU nations such as Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Iceland. Additionally, the Common Travel Area that allows free movement between Ireland and the United Kingdom continues to exist.

Over time, these updated policies could streamline travel for individuals possessing the necessary paperwork.

Authorities will also enhance their oversight on who is permitted to enter their area.

The UK and the EU are both aiming to tighten measures against unauthorized immigration.

However, the administrative aspects of travel are also influencing people's perceptions of their own identities.

The previous UK administration, which supported Brexit, aimed to negotiate individual agreements with separate European nations, partly to weaken the idea of unity across Europe.

The EES represents a countermeasure by the entity referred to as the "European Superstate," indicating its resistance to being easily fragmented.

EU nationals, who are more accustomed to carrying ID cards compared to British citizens, must pass through electronic verification points to enter the UK and face similar limits on how long they can stay.

Physical and bureaucratic obstacles are emerging between the UK and Europe, placing individuals who consider themselves both British and European in a challenging position.

Stay updated with Sky News: Prime Minister strives to rectify flawed Brexit process. Tension at NATO airbase in Germany.

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This week, as I traveled from France to Ireland by ferry, I noticed ads for this intense drama displayed on the backs of vehicles boarding the ship.

Ireland has undergone significant changes and experienced liberation since joining the European Community following the UK's entry. With its border open to the south, Northern Ireland maintains ties with both sides. The prolonged dispute over the protocol and the subsequent Windsor Framework have further emphasized these trade issues.

Strikingly, the bumper stickers on vehicles and trailers heading north through Cork displayed the "NI" insignia on the European flag, similar to those seen on cars from other European Union member countries—a union that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is no longer a part of.

For numerous Britons, the inconveniences of additional travel requirements and the costs of ETIAS might seem a small price to pay for regaining sovereignty. However, for many others, who now face fresh worries about their travel arrangements and stress while waiting in line, this may not be the case.

For typical tourists, the alterations to European travel rules could be just as significant in real-world terms as some of the more publicly debated issues of the new administration.

Sir Keir Starmer must not ignore them.

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