Two-thirds of UK adults are unaware of the new EU biometric border controls set to be enforced for British holidaymakers from October this year, a survey reveals.
The new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) will be introduced on October 6, requiring British and non-EU passport holders to undergo fingerprint checks and face scans. This system will verify each passenger's name and biometric data upon entry to an EU country.
Despite these imminent changes, 63 per cent of UK adults are not aware of the upcoming transition, as reported by a poll from Co-op Insurance.
Furthermore, nearly a quarter of Brits (22 per cent) expressed being 'put off' visiting the EU due to the new system. Concerns among those surveyed included discomfort with their personal details being captured and retained in the system for up to three years, as well as the potential for long delays at border control.
The introduction of the EES marks the establishment of a 'digital border' between EU/Schengen Area countries and those outside, replacing passport stamping initiated after Brexit, when the UK became a 'third country' to the bloc.
Notably, French officials will conduct EES border checks at Dover for the Eurotunnel and at St Pancras International for the Eurostar.
Government officials, including Lord Cameron, James Cleverly, and Mark Harper, have raised concerns about potential travel chaos resulting from the new system, particularly regarding disruptions on UK soil.
Efforts to address these concerns have included discussions between UK ministers and French counterparts, with topics ranging from potential delays to the effectiveness of the new checks.
Despite these discussions, concerns remain regarding the readiness of both nations to implement the new system smoothly, with issues such as the introduction of an EU app to facilitate smoother travel and the need for additional border guards still unresolved.
The cooperation between the UK and France on this matter has been acknowledged positively, with efforts ongoing to ensure a seamless transition to the new border controls. Photo by Chris Sampson, Wikimedia commons.