Brits jetting off to European holidays in 2023 could be waiting much longer in border control due to a new monitoring system.
Simon Calder, a journalist who regularly appears on ITV's Good Morning Britain, has said the new Entry/Exit System (EES) could involve tougher border checks in 2023.
The travel expert warned that it could take four times longer for UK holidaymakers to enter the EU in 2023, adding that the UK may be treated as a "3rd country", reported Lancs Live.
Set to come into effect in May 2023, the EES is an automated IT system that will register a traveller's details each time they cross in and out of the EU.
EES will form part of the Etias, a visa waiver scheduled to launch in November 2023. It will allow Brits to freely travel through 30 European countries for up to 90 days. It will cost €7 - or around £6 - and can be applied for online.
The EU has said that the EES won't be overly disruptive will be a "simple, fast and visitor-friendly system" that will "save travellers time and hassle".
However, Calder warns the checks could lead to lengthy delays.
"Frontier checks for British travellers to Europe next summer could take 4x longer than now," said the expert in a column for The Independent.
"Reason: the UK asked to be treated as a '3rd country' after Brexit so subject to the fingerprinting and face biometric checks of the new Entry Exit System."
According to the Slovenian government: "It takes up to four times longer to do the new process – border check + enrolment + verification."
A UK Government spokesperson said: "The European Union is introducing the Entry and Exit System to help to protect and strengthen the security of their external border by registering the entry, exit and any refused entries of third-country citizens crossing into Europe.
"It is the responsibility of the EU Member States to implement these checks. We are working closely with port authorities, operators and the French government to make sure passengers are prepared and do not experience unnecessary delays at the border due to new entry and exit system checks being introduced next year."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our free newsletter here.
