New EU border checks start

Ferry passengers face new checks

Much delayed new European border controls are now being introduced progressively. And electronic travel authorisation will be launched in the last quarter of 2026 - though over 70s will be spared the much larger than expected adult fee of 20 Euros. The new border controls will be phased in until April 9 next year, to avoid overwhelming systems. It has been reported that checks could be suspended if queues and tailbacks at air and sea ports become to long. Travellers from outside the EU will be registered and subsequently identified using biometric technology fingerprinting and biometric facial recognition.