UK travellers visiting Spain, Portugal and Italy are being advised to expect longer border checks when the EU’s Entry Exit System (EES) comes into force. The system requires people from outside the Schengen area to have biometric details recorded, including fingerprints and a photo, to enter the 29-country zone.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “For major airports in southern Europe, we recommend that travellers now allocate four hours for navigating the new system in these initial stages.” She warned delays are likely when several flights land at similar times and that volumes may be high during the rollout. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, added that longer waits are expected on arrival and advised booking later transfers or other onward travel. The Home Office said the extra checks should take one to two minutes but may lead to longer waits at busy times.

UK travellers boarding international services from London’s St Pancras railway station, the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel’s Folkestone terminal will complete EES checks in the UK. Some kiosks have been installed at these locations, but only a portion of passengers will be required to use them from Sunday. The EU rollout will happen in phases, with full implementation due by 10 April next year. An EES registration lasts three years, though details are re-verified on each trip, and the system is intended to replace passport stamping in time. Mark Tanzer, chief executive of ABTA, noted that while the long term may speed travel, short-term delays are possible as the operation scales up, with countries able to adjust processes and use contingency measures where needed.