New Passport Checks: What You Need to Know About EES at Dover and Eurotunnel
If you’re planning to travel from the UK to France and other European countries, you might have heard about the new Entry/Exit System (EES) coming into effect soon. While this change brings new rules for travellers, it’s essential to know how it will affect you, especially if you’re driving.
The introduction of EES starts on October 12, 2025. However, if you plan to travel by car, don’t worry just yet; the biometric checks won’t apply to you immediately. According to the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel (operated by Getlink), the new system will be rolled out in stages. Initially, it will only affect coach passengers and freight.
What Is EES and How Will It Change Travel to Europe?
The EES is designed to modernize the way borders are managed in the Schengen Area (which includes many, but not all, European countries). For first-time non-EU visitors, you will need to provide biometric details like fingerprints and a facial scan, and complete a short questionnaire. Your passport will also be scanned to confirm your identity. This information will be securely stored in a central EU system for three years, helping to monitor how long you stay in the Schengen Area.
The primary goal of this system is to keep track of how many days you spend in Europe, ensuring that you stick to the rule allowing for a maximum of 90 days stay in any 180-day period.
Phased Rollout at Dover and Eurotunnel
Port of Dover: According to officials, the new checks will only apply to coach passengers starting on October 12. Car passengers can expect these checks to start from November 1, 2025. Once the system is active, coach travellers entering Dover will go through a specially designed area where they will process checks before re-boarding their coach for the ferry.
There will be 12 kiosks available for coach passengers and 72 kiosks for private car travellers. If you are a resident or citizen of an EU country, you can bypass the EES checks and head straight to the border.
Eurotunnel: For those travelling via Eurotunnel, the checks will also begin on October 12 for freight and coach passengers, but car travellers will follow a few weeks later. They have installed 224 biometric kiosks at their terminals, with plans to manage the flow of up to 550 vehicles per hour.
What About Queues and Delays?
Given the high volume of passengers crossing the UK-France border, there are concerns about long queues forming at both Dover and Eurotunnel terminals. However, authorities have assured that they will monitor the situation closely and can temporarily halt checks if traffic gets too heavy.
Preparations for Travellers
The Home Office in the UK is planning to launch information campaigns to guide British travellers on what to expect with these new checks. Eurotunnel Le Shuttle is also committed to giving instruction to passengers and freight customers about the new processes to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Conclusion
Traveling between the UK and Europe is about to become a bit more complex, but with the right information, you can prepare yourself for the new EES checks. Keep in mind that only coach passengers will be affected on October 12, while car drivers will need to get ready by November 1.
Make sure to have your biometric data ready if you’re a non-EU national, and keep an eye out for more news from official sources as the launch date approaches. Happy travels!
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Original Text – https://www.thelocal.es/20250904/dover-and-eurotunnel-reveal-start-dates-for-new-ees-passport-checks