The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is warning British holidaymakers travelling to Europe to brace for possible delays at borders following an April law change.

Ahead of the Easter holidays, the FCDO has warned Brits to prepare for extra checks at the border and to allow additional time to get through airport security when travelling to the EU. This is due to the rollout of the EU’s Entry Exit System (EES), which has been gradually introduced since October and will become fully operational at the external borders of 29 European countries from April 10.

The EES is designed to improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries, and requires Brits to register their fingerprints and a facial photo at European borders on entry.

From Friday 10 April, EES is set to be fully implemented at all EU airports and ports. The FCDO said British travellers don’t need to do anything in advance as everything takes place at border control on the day of travel, free of charge.

To register for EES for the first time, a photo of your face will be taken and your passport scanned. Adults and children aged 12 and over will also have their fingerprints scanned.

For travellers using Eurostar at St Pancras, Eurotunnel LeShuttle at Folkestone, or the Port of Dover (known as “juxtaposed ports”), EES registration takes place before leaving the UK. Otherwise, registration happens on arrival in the destination country.

EES checks should take only a few minutes per person, but the FCDO has warned that longer waits at border control are possible, including for journeys back to the UK.

As such, travellers are advised to allow plenty of time to complete these checks, particularly if they have connections or onward transport booked.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said: “The EU’s Entry Exit System will be a significant change for Brits travelling this Easter.

“Always check with your transport operator in case extra time may be needed, both for your return to the UK and travelling to the EU.

“We continue to engage with the European Commission on taking steps to help minimise disruption for Brits as much as possible. The government has also provided more than £10 million for Eurostar, Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover for those needing checks before departure.”

Although EES requires checks on each entry and exit to the Schengen area, once registered, future visits will be more straightforward.

Once registered, travellers will only need to scan their passport and confirm their identity by having either a photo taken or a fingerprint scan. Registration is valid for three years, or until the passport expires, whichever is soonest.

Entries and exits, or entry refusals will be electronically registered in the EES, but in Cyprus and Ireland – despite being countries of the EU – passports will still be stamped manually.

Listed are the 29 European countries where the EES will be fully in operation from April 10:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czechia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland