EasyJet warns passengers of November rule change affecting 'most people from the UK'

The new EU system being rolled out in countries like Spain, Greece and France may cause longer queues at border control and could affect airport transfers, EasyJet warned

EasyJet has alerted passengers about an upcoming rule change affecting most UK tourists and warned that it may affect customer's airport transfers. The EU is set to introduce its new Entry/Exit System (EES) in November.

The new digital system will change the way that tourists from outside of the EU, including Britain, are processed when they enter countries in the Schengen area, such as Spain, Greece, Portugal and France. Instead of having their passport manually stamped at the border, data will be recorded electronically.

This means that when a person from the UK first travels abroad to the Schengen area after EES is launched, they will have to register their fingerprints and have their photo taken. EasyJet warned passengers that this may cause 'longer queues at border control while this new system is being implemented'.

Read more:Spain issues weather warnings as UK tourists warned 'take extreme precautions'

The airline said: "The EU is introducing new border checks with an automated system. So, replacing manual passport stamping with the digital recording of your data instead.

"It means you'll need to give fingerprints and have your photo taken too. In many countries you’ll be able to use the e-Gates, if those are available. It'll apply if you’re travelling on a passport issued outside of the EU or Schengen Area and are entering or leaving the Schengen Area, so most people travelling from the UK."

The notice went on to say: "There may be longer queues at border control while this new system is being implemented and as people go through it for the first time.

"If you have a transfer included in your package or have booked a private transfer, we're working closely with our transfer partners to make sure they know about the extra time at border control for your airport pick up and drop off. This might mean that your return transfer will pick you up earlier than you'd expect."

EES is being launched to keep a better record of visitors from outside of the EU, particularly anyone who overstays their 90-day visa-free limit, and is intended to eventually cut down wait times at border control.