Customs checks for travelers using Dover, Eurostar, and Eurotunnel services will commence.
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to commence on October 12, 20XX, marking a significant change in border control procedures for travellers entering and exiting the Schengen area.
To facilitate this transition, a total of 224 biometrics kiosks have been installed at Eurotunnel terminals, with 106 at Folkestone and 118 at Calais. Similarly, at the Port of Dover, 12 self-registration kiosks have been allocated for coach passengers and 72 for car passengers.
In preparation for the EES rollout, Eurostar will double the number of border staff and manual booths. Passengers can rest assured that there will be "specially-trained staff available at all times" at the new booths. Eurostar is also allowing passengers to board trains earlier to avoid delays at the border.
Initially, only freight and coach traffic will be subject to digital checks at the Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover, starting from October 12. From November 1, other traffic, including car passengers, will also be subject to the new system.
The EES system is designed to register the traveller's name, biometric data, and the date and place of entry and exit. During this period, travellers will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border when entering and exiting, which will be matched against stored data.
Facial scans and fingerprint data taken during the first registration are stored in the EES database for three years. It's important to note that the new system requires Europe's border crossings to have dedicated infrastructure installed.
Some EES kiosks will be installed at various other places around the London St Pancras station due to lack of space in their usual location. Eurostar will initially require some frequent travellers and those with premium tickets to use the kiosks during the rollout period.
The implementation of the EES will be a phased process over six months. From October 12, 2025, the EES system will directly check third-country nationals who are authorized for short stays in the Schengen area, including both visa-exempt travelers and travelers with a short-stay visa, at entry into the Schengen area.
The operator expects kiosk checks to take an average of 90 seconds per passenger, aiming to streamline the border crossing process for all travellers. Travellers will need to scan their passports or other travel documents at a self-service kiosk each time they cross an EU external border.
Travellers are advised to familiarise themselves with the new procedures to ensure a smooth transition. The EES is a registration system for UK, US, and other non-EU travellers, marking a significant step towards enhancing border security and control within the Schengen area.
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