From Sunday, British and other non-EU citizens will be subject to new biometric checks when entering the EU’s Schengen area under the Entry-Exit System (EES). Travellers will have their photo taken and fingerprints scanned, while traditional passport stamping will continue until full implementation.
To avoid congestion, the system is being rolled out in phases. Initially, only coaches and HGVs at Eurotunnel and Dover will undergo checks, with gradual expansion to other passengers, including Eurostar travellers at St Pancras. Dedicated machines and infrastructure have been installed at key cross-Channel points to streamline the process.
The European Commission stated that EES will make EU border travel “smoother and safer,” enabling authorities to instantly access records of overstays or irregularities. UK authorities have launched a public information campaign and will monitor the rollout closely to minimize disruption, especially at busy ports.
The phased introduction aims to allow freight operators and professional drivers to adjust, with calls for pre-registration apps to reduce delays. The new checks will cover Schengen countries, including Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland, but exclude Ireland and Cyprus. Passport stamping is expected to be fully phased out by April ahead of the summer travel season.