[MAIL] Travellers from the UK could find themselves facing delays and extra paperwork once the new, blue coloured passports are introduced, EU officials have warned.Theresa May hailed the decision to ditch the European Union burgundy design to revert to navy from October 2019 as an expression of the UK's renewed 'sovereignty and independence'.
But offficials in Brussels said holders of any colour of British passport could see their travel rights diminished after Brexit unless there were further negotiating concessions.
One senior official told The Guardian 'depending on how negotiations go on all free movement issues after Brexit' there was a significant risk that Britons would lose the right to use a fast-track citizens lane when travelling on the continent. They may also be obliged to use a new visa waiver scheme the EU travel information and authorisation system (Etias).
The scheme is modeled on the US Esta scheme and could require British travellers to Europe to register in advance and also pay a small administration fee. One expert warned it is unlikely Britain will retain fast-track privileges unless there is further shift in the prime minister's red lines on immigration.
'At the moment, it looks absolutely certain that we won't be able to go through the European citizens lane because the legal code in the Schengen borders code says it is only for citizens or people with free movement rights,' said Steve Peers, a professor of law at Essex University.
Since the decision to revert to blue passports, the Home Office has confirmed UK could have had blue passports at any time and had voluntarily adopted an EU recommendation to introduce burgundy passports.
1415 Agincourt rules apply.
Nice Chunnel you have there. Be an absolute shame to have to shutter it, due to a lack of passengers.