Latest news with #VixAguilera
Edinburgh Live
07-08-2025
- Edinburgh Live
TikTok travel expert warns British tourists of new passport rule coming in days
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Travel expert Vix Aguilera, an ATOL and ABTA protected UK travel agent, has issued a crucial warning to all British passport holders planning European trips from 12th October onwards. In a TikTok video, she detailed changes to eGates, the automated self-service border control systems. "A new EES [Entry/Exit system] is going to apply to all non-EU citizens visiting the Schengen area and basically it will replace the need to queue and get a stamp," she started. The shift will require travellers to provide facial recognition and fingerprints at a new self-service kiosk instead. "You will be giving your biometric data upon arrival to the country," Vix clarified. "This is then going to be stored on a central database and linked to your UK travel guru advised that this record will remain valid for three years, meaning you only need to undergo the process once when you first enter." Now this is the interesting bit - it's going to be rolled out from 12th October in a phased approach," Vix added." So although every country is within their rights to do it straight away to cut down on the need for extra queues, reports Bristol Live. "She continued: "The way they are going to be doing this is by staggering it, so from days one to 29 there's going to be no minimum requirement and after that there's going to be 10% of passengers required to scan etc. " However, according to travel expert Vix, there's no need for immediate worry as airport security staff will be on hand to guide travellers through the new process upon arrival. "You just turn up to the eGates then have yourself directed by staff," she also warned not to mix up these changes with the forthcoming ETIAS - European Travel Information and Authorization System - a new requirement for visa-exempt nationals visiting 30 European countries. "That's not going to be rolled out until the latter end of 2026 - and that will require a pre-travel authorisation," she who will be impacted by the change on October 12? Vix continued: "Obviously if you are travelling from this date, if you are going to a Schengen area, and if you are a non-EU citizen and you are looking to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. "One TikTok user expressed their appreciation for the clear explanation: "Thank you for explaining this so well. I was confused thinking it's the ETS, and since I'm travelling in December, worried that it being new might give me issues, but this is good info to have. "The reason behind these changes? The UK government's website, which provides further details, explains: "EES is designed to improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries, and reduce illegal migration in the Schengen area. It will automate border control checks to help the EU stop visitors overstaying. " The statement further explains: "The checks may take a few minutes, so be prepared to wait during busy times. If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International, EES checks will be completed at the border, before you leave the UK. You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. ". The countries affected include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Edinburgh Live
07-08-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Travel expert issues warning to Brits heading to Europe after October 12
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A travel expert has issued a warning to all British passport holders who are planning a trip to Europe from October 12th onwards. Vix Aguilera, who is an ATOL and ABTA protected UK travel agent, took to TikTok to detail changes being made to eGates, which are automated self-service border control systems. "A new EES [Entry/Exit system] is going to apply to all non-EU citizens visiting the Schengen area and basically it will replace the need to queue and get a stamp," she began. The alteration will see travellers instead required to provide facial recognition and fingerprints at a new self-service kiosk. "You will be giving your biometric data upon arrival to the country," Vix explained, reports Bristol Live. "This is then going to be stored on a central database and linked to your UK travel agent advised that the record will remain valid for three years and therefore you only need to carry out the process once when you first enter." Now this is the interesting bit - it's going to be rolled out from October 12th in a phased approach," Vix added." So although every country is within their rights to do it straight away to cut down on the need for extra queues. "She went on to note: "The way they are going to be doing this is by staggering it, so from days one to 29 there's going to be no minimum requirement and after that there's going to be 10% of passengers required to scan etc. " However, according to travel expert Vix, there's no need for immediate worry as airport security staff will be on hand to guide travellers through the new process upon arrival. "You just turn up to the eGates then have yourself directed by staff," she also warned not to mix up these changes with the forthcoming ETIAS - European Travel Information and Authorization System - a new requirement for visa-exempt nationals visiting 30 European countries. "That's not going to be rolled out until the latter end of 2026 - and that will require a pre-travel authorisation," she who will be impacted by the change on October 12? Vix continued: "Obviously if you are travelling from this date, if you are going to a Schengen area, and if you are a non-EU citizen and you are looking to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. "One TikTok user expressed their appreciation for the clear explanation: "Thank you for explaining this so well. I was confused thinking it's the ETS, and since I'm travelling in December, worried that it being new might give me issues, but this is good info to have. "The reason behind these changes? The UK government's website, which provides further details, explains: "EES is designed to improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries, and reduce illegal migration in the Schengen area. It will automate border control checks to help the EU stop visitors overstaying. " The statement further explains: "The checks may take a few minutes, so be prepared to wait during busy times. If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International, EES checks will be completed at the border, before you leave the UK. You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area". The countries affected include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Edinburgh Live
07-08-2025
- Edinburgh Live
British passport holders urged to check important new rule before travelling in Europe
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A travel expert has issued a crucial alert to all British passport holders planning a European getaway from 12th October onwards. Vix Aguilera, an ATOL and ABTA protected UK travel agent, took to TikTok to outline changes coming to eGates, the automated self-service border control systems. "A new EES [Entry/Exit system] is going to apply to all non-EU citizens visiting the Schengen area and essentially it will eliminate the need to queue and get a stamp," she started. The shift will require travellers to provide facial recognition and fingerprints at a new self-service kiosk instead. "You will be submitting your biometric data upon arrival in the country," Vix clarified. "This will then be stored on a central database and linked to your UK travel guru advised that this record will be valid for three years, meaning you only need to go through the process once when you first enter." Now this is the intriguing part - it's going to be rolled out from 12th October in a phased approach," Vix continued." So although every country is within their rights to implement it immediately to reduce the need for additional queues, reports Bristol Live. "She further explained: "The way they are going to be doing this is by staggering it, so from days one to 29 there's going to be no minimum requirement and after that there's going to be 10% of passengers required to scan etc. " But according to Vix, there's no cause for immediate alarm as airport security personnel will be on hand to help travellers navigate the new procedure when they arrive." You just turn up to the eGates then have yourself directed by staff," she Vix warned against mixing up these alterations with the forthcoming ETIAS - European Travel Information and Authorization System - a fresh requirement for visa-exempt nationals visiting 30 European countries." That's not going to be rolled out until the latter end of 2026 - and that will require a pre-travel authorisation," she who will be impacted by the change on October 12? Vix added: "Obviously if you are travelling from this date, if you are going to a Schengen area, and if you are a non-EU citizen and you are looking to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. "One TikTok user expressed gratitude for the clear explanation: "Thank you for explaining this so well. I was confused thinking it's the ETS, and since I'm travelling in December, worried that it being new might give me issues, but this is good info to have. "The rationale behind these modifications? The UK government's website, which offers additional details, explains: "EES is designed to improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries, and reduce illegal migration in the Schengen area. It will automate border control checks to help the EU stop visitors overstaying. " The statement notes: "The checks may take a few minutes, so be prepared to wait during busy times. If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International, EES checks will be completed at the border, before you leave the UK. You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. ". The countries included are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Daily Mirror
06-08-2025
- Daily Mirror
British passport holders urged to do one important thing before October 12
A change is set to be implemented at self-service border control systems later this year, and British passport holders have been issued a warning about what they need to do A travel expert has issued a warning to all British passport holders planning a European getaway from October 12 onwards. Vix Aguilera, an ATOL and ABTA protected UK travel agent, took to TikTok to outline alterations being implemented to eGates, which are automated self-service border control systems. "A new EES [Entry/Exit system] is going to apply to all non-EU citizens travelling to the Schengen area and essentially it will replace the need to queue and get a stamp," she warned. The change will require travellers to submit facial recognition and fingerprints at a new self-service kiosk instead. It comes following a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain. Sharing details of the new change, Vix explained: "You will be giving your biometric data upon arrival to the country. This is then going to be stored on a central database and linked to your UK passport." The travel agent noted that the record will remain valid for three years, and therefore, you only need to complete the process once when you first enter, reports Yorkshire Live. "Now this is the interesting bit - it's going to be rolled out from October 12 in a phased approach," Vix continued. "Although every country is within their rights to do it straight away to cut down on the need for extra queues." She added: "The way they are going to be doing this is by staggering it, so from days one to 29 there's going to be no minimum requirement and after that there's going to be 10% of passengers required to scan etc." The positive news, according to Vix, is that airport security personnel will be available to guide you through the procedure when you arrive. Therefore, for now, you don't need to undertake any advanced preparation. It's important to read up on how the system works beforehand though. "You just turn up to the eGates then have yourself directed by staff," she explained. Vix proceeded to caution, however, that you shouldn't mistake this for ETIAS - European Travel Information and Authorization System - a fresh travel requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to 30 European countries. That's not going to be rolled out until the end of 2026, and it will require a pre-travel authorisation. READ MORE: Family's £4k easyJet holiday 'ruined' as soon as they open hotel room door So, who does the October 12 change impact? "Obviously, if you are travelling from this date, if you are going to a Schengen area, and if you are a non-EU citizen and you are looking to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period," Vix clarified. One TikTok user praised the guidance and commented: "Thank you for explaining this so well. I was confused thinking it's the ETS, and since I'm travelling in December, worried that it being new might give me issues, but this is good info to have." Why is this alteration being introduced? The UK government's website, which offers additional details, explains: "EES is designed to improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries, and reduce illegal migration in the Schengen area. It will automate border control checks to help the EU stop visitors overstaying." It adds: "The checks may take a few minutes, so be prepared to wait during busy times. "If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International, EES checks will be completed at the border, before you leave the UK. "You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area." The Schengen area comprises the following countries: Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland
