In less than a month, there will be new entry and exit checks when visiting countries within the EU. From October 12, non-EU citizens will need to give fingerprints and a facial scan when crossing into the EU. Ahead of this, travel experts are warning that millions of Britons could face delays or ruined holidays if they aren't aware of these coming changes.

These extra checks, combined with the fact that most people still don’t know about these upcoming rule changes, could create “double red tape” at the border, just as families head off for an October half-term getaway. A recent Government survey found that two-thirds of UK travellers are unaware of these changes.

Yasmin Peskel, a travel expert at motor yacht company, Blue Cruise, has highlighted that travellers who show up unprepared could cause knock-on delays for hundreds of others, with the potential for missed trains and flights at major hubs like Dover and St Pancras.

She explained: "If airports and ports aren’t fully prepared, and people don’t know what’s expected of them, you’ve got a perfect storm of long queues, confusion, and families missing departures. Awareness is everything right now."

However, disaster can be averted if you prepare ahead of time when travelling, with Yasmin suggesting arriving at the airport, train station, or port, earlier than usual.

Airlines typically recommend arriving two or three hours before a flight, but with the new EES registration process, it could be worth adding an extra hour, or perhaps more if travelling with children.

This extra time means that even with long queues, you'll likely still make it to your flight in time without any added stress of having to rush through the airport.

You should also ensure that you have all your travel documents to hand and that you're prepared to follow the instructions of the biometric tests.

A smooth process for one person helps to keep the whole line moving, while delays from fumbling with paperwork could ripple through the queue.

When crossing the border into the EU, you should expect to be asked more questions than in the past, as the EES will be used to non-EU citizens' 90-day allowance in the EU.

Border officers will likely ask about your trip, accommodation, or how long you plan to stay, and clear, straightforward answers will help keep the process moving.

Yasmin adds: “The EES is a fundamental change to how we enter the EU. If people take it seriously and prepare, they’ll get through it fine. But if they treat it like the old system, the risk of starting your holiday in chaos is very real.”