Passengers Crossing the Channel Will Not Face New Biometric Checks
Passengers traveling from the UK to France via the Channel will not be subjected to new biometric checks in the near future, despite an upcoming deadline for the full implementation of the EU’s entry-exit system (EES). This information has been confirmed by ports and transport operators.
Airlines and airports across Europe had previously expressed concerns about potential chaos during the Easter holidays. The EU is set to require biometric data from all eligible travelers—primarily non-EU citizens, including British nationals—at the border starting 10 April. However, a phased rollout of the system has already led to long delays at some airports.
Despite these challenges, it has become clear that passengers using Eurotunnel’s Le Shuttle service, cross-channel ferries, or Eurostar will not face any changes. This is due to delays in France developing the necessary technology to collect and process biometric information.
Sources from the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel have stated that France has yet to provide the required technology. As a result, wet-stamping of passports will continue at the French border, which is located in England for outgoing cross-Channel train, Shuttle, and ferry passengers. Only lorry drivers, coach passengers, and ferry foot passengers—who have been checked by French border officials since November—will undergo the EES formalities.
Even though there appears to be a delay in the system’s implementation, the EU’s website still states that visitors to the Schengen area must provide biometric information upon entry after 10 April. The Home Office has advised UK travelers to allow extra time for checks, but Eurostar and Eurotunnel have confirmed that passengers should continue arriving at the time indicated on their travel tickets.
Phased Introduction of EES
The EES was introduced in October as a phased launch, years later than originally planned. However, its rollout has varied across different borders in Europe. At some airports, such as Lisbon and Brussels, passengers have experienced hours of delays, with border officials insisting on biometric checks, including fingerprinting and facial recognition. In other airports, machines have been installed but remain unused.
Getlink, the company that owns Eurotunnel, has invested at least £60m in kiosks at Folkestone and Coquelles in France to prepare the Shuttle for the EES launch last autumn. Meanwhile, Eurostar spent approximately £10m at London St Pancras for automated kiosks that are currently sealed off.
The Port of Dover has restructured its road layouts and built new facilities in preparation for EES. A spokesperson for the port said they were “working closely with our French border agency partners to ensure a smooth introduction of EES for tourist passengers,” which includes waiting for current issues with the French technology to be resolved and conducting thorough testing at Dover.
Operational Steps and Continued Efforts
Eurotunnel mentioned that EES would take another operational step on 10 April, with the Police aux Frontières beginning the creation of EES files. However, this stage will not involve the collection of biometric data. A spokesperson noted that LeShuttle customers would not notice any changes.
Eurostar said it was “working closely with the French and EU authorities as they continue to introduce the next stages of the system.” It added that “enrolments are currently being completed manually by French border officers in London St Pancras.” The company has added extra lanes at the border but emphasized that its focus is “in line with the authorities’ priority to maintain border fluidity as the rollout progresses.”
The EU has informed border officials that they can exercise discretion to relax the rules if queues become too long, until at least the end of July. Despite this, European airlines and airports remain anxious about the scaling up of EES during the holiday period.
Concerns from Industry Representatives
Trade bodies such as A4E, representing most large European airlines, and ACI Europe, representing airports, issued a joint statement citing “persistent operational challenges” and predicting increased delays from Easter. They urged the European Commission to consider a full suspension of EES if needed, arguing that long queues at borders are becoming the norm and are undermining air travel.
Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, one of Europe’s largest airlines, claimed that EES was causing queues of up to four hours at some airports. He described the system as “a shit show and a shambles” and a punishment for Brexit, suggesting that the full introduction should be postponed until October.
The European Commission has not yet responded to requests for comment.
