LONDON: The UK Home Office has launched an awareness campaign to prepare British travellers for the European Union’s new immigration and border control system, set to be implemented soon. The system will introduce enhanced biometric checks, including fingerprint registration and mandatory photographs upon first entry into EU countries.
Under the upcoming changes, biometric verification will be required at all border crossings. Although full enforcement has been delayed due to logistical challenges and inconsistent manual checks, the public is now being informed in advance to reduce confusion and ensure smoother compliance.
Media reports suggest that British holiday homeowners in Europe could face tougher restrictions and penalties under the new regime. Violations of the EU’s post-Brexit 90-day stay rule which limits non-EU nationals to 90 days within any 180-day period may result in heavy fines of up to £8,700 and potential 10-year bans from entering the EU.
The European Commission has reportedly directed member states to strictly enforce the rule, as part of a broader post-Brexit crackdown on overstay violations. British nationals with second homes or extended travel plans in the EU are being urged to monitor their stay durations closely to avoid legal consequences.
The changes reflect a growing shift toward tighter immigration and travel control across the EU in the wake of the UK’s departure from the bloc.
