Full list of countries to implement new EES travel rules for UK travellers
British holidaymakers heading to destinations such as Spain and Greece are facing new border procedures as the European Union rolls out its Entry/Exit System (EES) across the Schengen area.Under the new framework, British travellers are required to "create a digital record" when entering participating European countries. The system replaces traditional passport stamping with biometric registration, meaning passengers must now provide a facial image and fingerprint scans at airports and ports where the system is active.The changes apply to non-European Union nationals, including visitors from the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada. On arrival, travellers may also be asked additional questions about the purpose of their stay, including accommodation details, return travel arrangements and proof of sufficient funds.The Schengen area covers 29 countries, mostly within the EU, and also includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, who make up the European Free Trade Association. Ireland is not part of the Schengen zone and therefore is not included in the new system, Manchester Evening News reported.The Entry/Exit System began a phased rollout in October last year before becoming fully operational across Schengen borders on April 10. That timing means many UK holidaymakers travelling in the summer season will now encounter the new procedures for the first time.The system also reinforces existing travel limits, including the rule that UK citizens can stay no longer than 90 days within any 180 day period across the Schengen area. Officials say the technology is designed to strengthen border security, improve tracking of overstays and eventually streamline processing times.However, the rollout has already been linked to significant disruption at several European airports. Reports suggest long queues have formed at some border control points as passengers adjust to the new biometric registration process.At Milan Linate Airport, around 100 easyJet passengers travelling to Manchester were reportedly stranded after missing their flight home due to extended waiting times at immigration. According to reports, delays were caused by the additional time needed to complete the new entry procedures.Similar disruption has been reported at other major airports including Lisbon and Paris, where passengers have faced lengthy delays to clear border control.In some cases, travellers reported waiting for up to three hours in queues. Conditions in some locations were made more difficult by high temperatures.Some passengers affected by the disruption in Milan on Sunday, April 12, claimed that individuals in the queues experienced heat-related illness, with reports of people fainting and vomiting while waiting to pass through immigration control.The system has been introduced with the aim of modernising border management and reducing reliance on manual passport checks.Officials argue that once fully embedded, the digital records and biometric data will improve efficiency and reduce processing times for frequent travellers.The data collected, including fingerprints and facial images, is stored for a limited period and can be reused for subsequent entries, meaning returning travellers should not need to repeat the full registration process for several years, provided their details remain valid.Full list of countries operating the EES:AustriaBelgiumBulgariaCroatiaCzechiaDenmarkEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandItalyLatviaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMaltaNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaSlovakiaSloveniaSpainSwedenSwitzerland
