Dreaded new travel rules for Brit holidaymakers to be delayed again – with hope for 2024 summer breaks
THE strict new EU entry rules are expected to be delayed again, in a boost for Brits heading to Europe next summer.
The restrictions will see holidaymakers undergo fingerprint and facial recognition checks when travelling through Dover.
The new rules had hopped to be introduced by the end of 2022.
It was subsequently pushed back to May 2023, then to the end of this year, before hoping to be brought in next year.
However, another delay is to be expected due to the 2024 summer Olympics in Paris.
Officials fear it could cause travel chaos at the border during the large event, so could be pushed back to after the summer event.
A source at the meetings with French authorities told the Guardian: “The only question is whether the enrolment will be pushed back until spring 2024, or until after the Olympics in July and August in Paris.”
A meeting is to take place on June 9 to determine whether the start date will be pushed back again.
Concerns have been raised about the new system, which will check travellers‘ names, biometric data including fingerprints and facial images, and the date and place of entry and exit.
Some officials have warned it could extend border checks from 45 seconds to as much as 10 minutes, including at Dover.
This is because the new techonology may not work through the tinted windows of cars, so could force passengers to get out of their vehicles, sparking safety concerns.
Tim Reardon, head of EU exit for the Dover Harbour Board, previously said: “There is no way of doing a biometric control without getting everyone out of the vehicle.”
Similar problems are also expected to affect Eurostar, with the train’s strategy director adding: “We don’t currently see a practical solution.”
There have already been huge queues at the borders due to the extra passport checks required with the stamping of each document.
Last month, holidaymakers faced 15 hour waits while heading abroad for the Easter holidays.
The new system isn’t the only thing that will affect Brits heading to Europe in 2024 either.
The new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) are also set to come into force.
Brits will have to pay £6 for the visa waiver to enter Europe from the start of next year.
The ETIAS will allow visitors to enter 30 European countries as often as they want for short-term stays, normally for up to 90 days, in any 180-day period.