Only 51% of Brits are aware of the new European Entry/Exit System (EES), which came into force at the weekend.
EES will require all non-EU citizens to have their photograph and fingerprints taken at biometric registration kiosks before they enter the EU.
The process will add two to three minutes to passport checks, with ABTA warning of longer queues at border controls and the possibility of travellers being asked for additional information.
Although the system started on October 12, it will be introduced gradually over the next six months, with full compliance from April 12 2026.
The phased rollout is designed to allow border officials to relax the rules to alleviate queues and minimise delays.
At last week’s ABTA Convention in Majorca, Luke Petherbridge, ABTA Director of Public Affairs, said most countries have put impressive systems in place to cope with the new requirements.
“They’ve had a long time to prepare for this, but it would be naïve to say there will no delays,” he said.
“The progressive rollout is designed to mitigate delays but travellers could still face longer queues and could be asked for additional information on their travel plans, such as health insurance and finances.”
Julia Lo Bue-Said OBE, CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership, said it foresees potentially overwhelming volumes of travellers during the initial rollout phase.
“This should settle over the next few weeks as staff and travellers familiarise themselves with the new procedures,” she said.
“Those travelling via the Eurostar at Kings Cross St Pancras may be affected by delays due to the implementation of automated kiosks to check-in for journeys and the Port of Dover is continuing to expand its kiosk provisions which it will roll out to try to avoid delays.”
Petherbridge said ABTA has been working closely with its members to raise awareness of the arrival of the new procedures, including running campaigns on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok.
“Among regular travellers – those who have travelled in the last 12 months – the awareness is higher at 61%,” he added.
A separate ABTA survey showed 47% of Brits are aware of the new ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) which is due to come into force in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Designed to enhance security and streamline travel for non-EU nationals, it means visitors to the 30 EU countries will need to pay a fee of €20, although those under 18 or over 70 are exempt.
ABTA said the awareness of ETIAS grows to 57% for people who have been on holiday over the past 12 months.
Petherbridge warned of fake websites selling the ETIAS document, saying there are already more than 60 fake websites circulating.
“There’s quite a lot of fraud going on, despite the fact that it is not even live and you can’t buy it,” he said.
He said agents should advise customers there will only be one official site for purchasing an ETIAS, although there will also be bonafide websites offering services that help people with their applications.
