As new digital border control system rules comes into force next month, British tourists are being warned to prepare for longer waits and ‘additional obstacles’ at the airport.
The entry/exit system (EES) is set to begin on October 12 for arrivals into the European Union, which will require non-EU passport holders and those crossing Schengen borders to provide biometric data and fingerprints.
The European Union website insists the new system will make border checks ‘more modern and efficient,’ but one air travel expert has highlighted potential issues the ESS could cause.
Oliver Ranson from Airline Revenue Economics, explained that in the usual circumstances, ‘people don’t have to queue for too long’.
But he added: ‘The problem is, when things do start to go wrong and when new systems like the entry and exit system are introduced, unexpected niggles can make the overall arrivals process very gnarly very quickly.’
However, a ‘superpower’ document held by millions across the UK could help travellers bypass queues at the EU border.
According to The Independent’s travel expert Simon Calder, Britons who hold an Irish passport should present the document when travelling to European countries.
He said: ‘If you have the wisdom and fortune to have an Irish passport, use that at all times. It has a superpower no other document has: unfettered access to both the UK and the European Union, with no need to get an online permit in advance.’
A ‘superpower’ document held by millions across the UK could help travellers bypass queues at the EU border
To be eligible for an Irish passport, individuals must first obtain Irish citizenship through birth, descent, or naturalisation, and then apply online using the Passport Online service.
However, if you or one of your parents were born in Ireland before 2005, you can apply for an Irish passport without needing to apply for citizenship.
But if you or one of your parents were born on the island on or after 1 January 2005, your right to citizenship depends on your parents’ citizenship at the time of birth and residency history before the birth.
Those with Irish grandparents who were born on the island can apply for Irish citizenship by decent.
Citizenship can also be acquired through naturalisation, which requires you meeting certain criteria, such as having lived legally in Ireland for five years or having a spouse/civil partner who is an Irish citizen.
For those applying for citizenship online, you will be asked to submit the required supporting documents and your passport photo by post to the Passport Service in Dublin.
The Passport Service will then process your application and send your passport to you directly, according to the Irish Immigration Service.
The Irish government’s Passport Service did indeed issue a record-breaking 1,080,000 Irish passports in 2022, surpassing the previous high of 935,000 in 2019.
According to The Independent ‘s travel expert Simon Calder, Britons who hold an Irish passport should present the document when travelling to European countries
Speaking about passport holders from other EU countries, Calder said: ‘For all other EU passports, register with the European document outbound (and show it when you arrive). Coming back, register the British document (and show it when you arrive).’
Meanwhile, holidaymakers jetting off this summer should be aware of some simple issues with their passports that could prevent them from flying.
Chris Harrington, managing director at transfer company Hoppa, shared his advice for those going away this summer.
The travel expert emphasised the importance of making sure your passport isn’t too damaged.
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The ‘superpower’ document allowing some Brits to skip queues at EU border
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