The European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to come into effect in October 2025, and some believe that travellers could face longer border wait times as a result. The system will impact UK travellers entering the EU, who will be required to scan their passports or other travel documents, and their biometric data, including facial scans and fingerprints, instead of the previous passport stamping. This means that non-EU travellers will have to scan their passports or other travel documents at a self-service kiosk each time they cross into the EU from a non-EU country.
Once registered, your digital record will be valid for three years, meaning you will only need to provide biometric data again when entering or exiting during that period. However, airports and travel operators have expressed concerns about potential delays and bottlenecks, particularly at high-traffic points like the Port of Dover and Eurostar terminals, Euronews reported.
Eurostar is set to have 50 kiosks for EES checks, the Eurotunnel will have over 100, which may add about 5 minutes to journey times, and the Port of Dover will have 24 kiosks as well as mobile agents to streamline the process.
The UK Government said it is working with the EU to fund the setup of the necessary technology at key travel points, and the Eurostar, Eurotunnel, and the Port of Dover are receiving funds to install kiosks for this purpose.
However, only 10% of border crossings are reportedly expected to have the necessary equipment when the system starts, leading to fears of long wait times at busy entry points.
The UK’s Government campaign, Travel Aware, which provides important information and advice for UK citizens travelling abroad, wrote: “When EES starts, you’ll need to register at border checkpoints like ports and airports. This might cause longer queues.
“At some ports in the south of England (Dover, Eurotunnel and St Pancras – where the French operate juxtaposed immigration checks in the UK), there may be increased wait times while EES registration is completed before passengers leave the UK.
“Passengers travelling through one of these ports should check with their travel operator before they leave to travel, to find out when to arrive at the port and any potential impacts to their journey.
“Make sure you are prepared in case you need to queue for a long period.”