As the EU rolls out new border entry rules, UK tourists have been issued an update on when a popular holiday hotspot will launch the new system.

From Sunday, October 12, the rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES) began in the Schengen area.

It will see third-country nationals including Brits having their fingerprints and photographs taken at the EU border, which will create a digital record valid for three years.

Participating countries have until April 10, 2026, to ensure the system is fully operational in their airports.

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Some countries such as Czechia and Liechtenstein have launched the EES fully from October 12 - although this did result in waits of up to an hour at passport control on Sunday as passengers arrived from the UK, Turkey and further afield at Prague airport.

Others are launching the EES gradually to minimise disruption. In Spain, Madrid's Barajas Airport was the first to begin using the technology on Sunday.

Majorca is one of the most popular destinations among British holidaymakers and Palma Airport is set to launch the EES in November, Majorca Daily Bulletin reports.

This means Brits heading to the island for October half-term shouldn't notice any changes yet.

As the EES rollout takes place in the winter months disruption should be kept to a minimum for British travellers. However, those heading to winter sun destinations like the Canary Islands could face longer queues as the destination remains popular all-year round.

The purpose of the EES is to boost border security and to monitor how long UK travellers and other third-country nationals, who either hold a short-stay visa, or do not need a visa to stay for the 90-day period, spend in the EU. Brits without a visa are able to stay for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.

The EES applies to 29 countries in the Schengen area. It does not apply to Ireland and Cyprus. The EES is being rolled out in the following countries: