Every British visitor to Europe faces being fingerprinted and having their faces scanned under draconian post-Brexit restrictions enforced by the European Union next year, MPs have warned.
Before they can travel, UK people must also provide a comprehensive number of personal details, including information about existing health conditions and where they intend to go on the continent.
The news came on the heels of a weekend that saw long lines form at the Port of Dover even before the new laws went into effect, providing a taste of how things might look in the summer of 2024.
The EU Entry-Exit System (EES), which many regard as retaliation for Brexit, is an automated system for registering visitors from the United Kingdom and other non-EU nations each time they cross an EU external border.
The EU had planned to implement it in October, but it has now been moved back to next year and could be in effect as early as May 2024.
According to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), they will need to apply in advance for a visa-style permission.
All non-EU tourists will be charged €7 (about £6) and will be expected to enter personal information online, including their names, residences, condition of health, criminal records, reasons for travel, and the place where they plan to stay on the first night.
Decisions on whether or not to provide permits will take anywhere from a few minutes to 30 days.