Over 1 in 5 Brits would be put off European holidays due to new EU border system - poll

Research by Co-op Insurance has revealed that over one in five - 22 percent - of Brits would be put off travelling to countries in Europe once the new EU digital border system is introduced in November.

Nearly half (45 percent) percent of those who would be put off by the new system do not like the idea of having biometrics data on file for three years, while 38 percent are concerned about long delays. 

This comes as the Foreign Office issues a warning to UK residents travelling to the EU from November 10, with officials saying that queues at borders are expected when the system starts. 

The new registration process, the Entry/Exit System (EES), is expected to strengthen the security of the external Schengen border.

It will apply to those travelling to the Schengen area, which encompasses all EU countries except from Cyprus and Ireland. The non-EU States of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein are also part of the area.

The EES will require most citizens of countries outside the EU to create a digital record and register their biometric details, such as providing fingerprints and having their photo taken when they enter the Schengen area. British travellers will need to do this on their first visit to the EU after EES is introduced, but should only take a few minutes for each person to complete. 

Their record will be checked on the point of entry, verifying either their fingerprint or photograph. If British travellers then choose to travel into the Schengen area within a three-year period of creating their digital record, they will only need to provide either their fingerprint or photograph at the border on entry and exit. 

The EES is part of the EU’s wider work to strengthen their border security, with the implementation of the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) due in 2025. Those travelling to the Schengen area will need to submit information about themselves and their travel plans and pay a fee of seven euros (£5.91) to apply for authorisation to travel before they leave for the Schengen area.

In the Co-op research, based on 2,005 adults and data for the period January-August 2024 v January-August 2023, those aged 44 and under are more likely to be put off going to Europe due to long delays at the border than those aged 45 and over. 

More than a quarter (28 percent) of 18 to 44-year-olds admitting the new system would dissuade them from travelling to the continent, compared to just 17 percent of over 45s. 

Of those deterred, almost two-fifths (38 percent) said it was due to the potential long delays at border control caused by the new system. With many Brits already saying that security is the most stressful aspect of going on holiday, such delays could serve to heighten anxiety. 

When asked specifically about the impact of going through security at airports, alongside feelings of being "stressed", 23 percent said  stressed, 19 percent said anxious and 18 percent said nervous.

Other stressful aspects of airports include feeling like you have forgotten something and the weight of suitcases.

In addition to the over 45 percent admitting they do not like the idea of having their fingerprint on file for three years, just under a third are concerned about data protection.

In contrast, of those not put off by EES, over a quarter (28 percent) actually welcomed the changes that the new border system will introduce. 

Currently, almost one in eight (11 percent) of Brits travel to Europe three times a year, with the latest data from Co-op Insurance showing a 15 percent increase in the number of European travel insurance policies already sold this year compared with last year.

As a result, with such concerning numbers of Brits feeling "put off" by the new EES system, there could be a profound impact on the numbers travelling to Europe from the UK. 

Charles Offord, Managing Director at Co-op Insurance said: “Ahead of these border security changes, it’s important for travellers to be aware of what to expect so they can plan their journey accordingly.”

Referring to the challenges and stresses that come with travelling, Offord added: "Our data shows that many travellers are anxious about navigating the new Entry/Exit system, with many even deterred from travelling to the continent. However, most will not be put off from visiting, and we want to make sure holidaymakers heading to EU countries after November 10th are prepared for the changes so that they can make their trips as stress-free as possible.”

The UK Government has been working closely with the European Commission, member states, local authorities, and the travel industry to ensure ports are prepared. It has been supporting ports and carriers to make sure they have the right technology and processes in place so EES registration can take place as smoothly as possible.