New EU travel rules by October as UK tourists face long delays
The European Union has decided to implement new travel regulations that are set to cause significant delays for UK holidaymakers visiting popular destinations such as France, Spain, Greece, Italy, and Portugal. Under the new system, UK nationals will be required to submit biometric data, including photographs and fingerprints, in addition to scanning their passports. Airlines have been instructed to potentially keep passengers on board aircraft to prevent airport congestion as travellers line up to provide the additional details. Motorists planning to use the Channel Tunnel have been alerted to anticipate extended waiting times, and substantial processing facilities are being established at Dover and London St Pancras to manage the flow of people. The forthcoming Entry-Exit System (EES) aims to bolster security across Europe by meticulously monitoring who enters and exits the EU. Although its introduction has faced several postponements, the EU has recently voted to commence its deployment from October, with a six-month window for all member states to adopt the system, reports Bristol Live . Assita Kanko, the Belgian MEP overseeing the EES initiative, said: "The safety of Europeans can no longer be postponed. Reliance on paper stamps at borders, while criminals operate digitally, is unacceptable. The EES is not just a security measure but also aids legal travellers more efficiently, with fewer queues and increased certainty." UK passport holders will be required to scan their passports and provide fingerprints and a photograph the first time they travel to Europe. This process will need to be repeated every three years or when your passport expires. For those travelling via the tunnel or ferry, these checks will be conducted in the UK. If you're flying, the checks will take place upon landing. Motorists heading to the continent will need to step out of their vehicles to provide the necessary information. Once fully implemented, another system, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias), will be enforced from 2026. To enter Europe, you'll need to purchase a visa waiver, costing approximately £6 every three years.
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Daily Record
14 hours ago
- Daily Record
Benidorm tourists warned they could face £425 fine in new crackdown
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Scotsman
14 hours ago
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I discovered the magic of cruising Northern Europe and you will too
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The serene Lake of Love is believed to have been frequented by water nymphs and it's where Victor Hugo is said to have visited for a clandestine encounter with a lover. | Marion Ainge The serene Lake of Love is believed to have been frequented by water nymphs and it's where Victor Hugo is said to have visited for a clandestine encounter with a lover. White swans glide beneath the sacred, three-arched, stone Beguinage Bridge which leads to a place of silence, formerly populated by the pious, female Beguines and now a convent. From the Boniface bridge, we see half- timbered houses and the Church of Our Lady, reflected in the water. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In this 'Venice of the North', a network of canals, central to the trade and industry for centuries, threads through the magical Medieval city. | Marion Ainge Our Liverpool sailing is ideal for those based in the north of the UK. Embarkation is seamless. 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Scotsman
16 hours ago
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I discovered the magic of cruising Northern Europe and you will too
Marion Ainge is transported to the magic of of Bruges, Normandy, Amsterdam and Scilly Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Will someone hold my lollipop? Our walking tour group sniggered, not unkindly, at this question as our Belgian excursion guide handed over his flag post and offloaded his backpack to search for some maps. I'm on an Ambassador cruise and after docking at Zeebrugge, we're now in Bruges. It's around 26 degrees and guide Peter is going at some pace. We grab a gulp of water when we can and jog to catch up after taking a photo. The serene Lake of Love is believed to have been frequented by water nymphs and it's where Victor Hugo is said to have visited for a clandestine encounter with a lover. | Marion Ainge The serene Lake of Love is believed to have been frequented by water nymphs and it's where Victor Hugo is said to have visited for a clandestine encounter with a lover. White swans glide beneath the sacred, three-arched, stone Beguinage Bridge which leads to a place of silence, formerly populated by the pious, female Beguines and now a convent. From the Boniface bridge, we see half- timbered houses and the Church of Our Lady, reflected in the water. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In this 'Venice of the North', a network of canals, central to the trade and industry for centuries, threads through the magical Medieval city. | Marion Ainge Our Liverpool sailing is ideal for those based in the north of the UK. Embarkation is seamless. Additional passengers embark in Belfast making an Ambition sailing of almost full capacity. Both Ambassador's Ambition, which accommodates up to 1200 guests, and sister ship Ambience offer a traditional cruising experience in the small ship category and it's easy to get around. My home for nine nights is a 'suite' treat. The Junior Suite comprises a spacious, deep balcony, walk-in wardrobe (great for all my shoes!) with shelves and basket storage, sitting area, welcome bottle of wine and bubbly, mini-fridge, bathroom with double shower and comfortable bed. The average age is 60-70 with younger cruisers and many in their 80s and 90s. Solos have regular meet ups. The ever- smiling, helpful crew members are at the ready to help in any way they can. Repeat cruisers are delighted when, as is often, crew members remember their names. It's a happy ship. Ambition Junior Suite | Marion Ainge In the Buckingham and Holyrood restaurants, solo tables are provided and food is of an excellent standard with plenty of variety and choice. The buffet-style Borough Market offers a more casual dining style. In speciality restaurant, Saffron, the fragrant flavours of Indian cuisine are divine. The semi al-fresco Lupino's presents a pleasing mezze of Mediterranean dishes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Buckingham Restaurant Ambition | Marion Ainge On the sun deck, there are two pools and at the Green Sea Spa, which offers the ultimate in relaxation therapy, my Reviving Facial leaves my skin refreshed and glowing. On sea days, there's plenty to do with fitness classes, yoga, games, cards, table tennis, quizzes, a library and much more. In the bars, entertainment includes cabaret, game shows and karaoke. The Palladium tiered theatre's entertainment includes guest lectures and showcases such as excerpts from West End shows. From Normandy's Honfleur, I join the excursion to Giverny, just 50 miles north west of Paris and the former home and captivating gardens of French Impressionist painter Claude Monet, which attract around 700,000 visitors per season. The walls display his paintings, including the famous 'Water Lilies'. I jostle for a place on the blue, fragrant wisteria-draped bridge to view the water lilies on the pond and photo- bomb the picture-book scene. Then, as I wander the colour-splashed five acres tended by 15 gardeners, huge, open yellow tulips, hot pink peonies and royal purple iris beg admiration. Monet's house and garden, Giverny | Ambassador In Netherlands capital, Amsterdam, with a population of around 950,000 and 1.4m cycles, there are more bikes than people! Our canal boat drifts past colourful houseboats, historic, narrow, multi-storey. gabled buildings and bridges. Special residents, a colony of stray cats are fed, watered and cared for in four of these houseboats. If you fancy a coffee in the city, just be aware that a 'Coffee Shop' sign might not be what you think. These are licensed to sell and serve soft drugs such as cannabis and marijuana. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Marion Ainge | Marion Ainge A tender takes us to my favourite destination of the cruise. St Mary's, the largest of the the Isles of Scilly, is a mini-paradise of natural beauty and tranquillity. Hugh Town boasts three, soft, golden-sanded beaches, glittering, clear waters, tiny back streets with flower-filled gardens, artisan shops plus a few hotels/B&Bs and inns. Covering little more than 2.5 square miles with a population of just 1800, on the day of our visit, the tiny town comes alive. Thousands of spectators and rowers flock to St Mary's for the finals of the World Pilot Gig Championship. St Mary's, Isles of Scilly | Marion Ainge In the Palladium Magic of the Musicals' show, the talented cast convey the energy and spirit of Africa in the Lion King. The vocal power, passion and intensity they put into the excerpt from Les Miserables, 'Can you hear the people sing?' is exceptional. As they take their bow, I hope the young cast can hear the people cheer! Factfile:
