The Port of Dover and Eurotunnel confirm that full biometric passport checks under the EU's Entry/Exit System will not be implemented until after the summer peak.
London, United Kingdom Jul 15, 2026 ALN: The UK-France border has been identified as a potential bottleneck for the EU's new biometric passport checks, known as the Entry/Exit System (EES). As European ports and airports grapple with the rollout, both the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel have announced that full checks will not be operational until after the peak summer travel period. This delay raises concerns not just for travelers but also for the broader implications on border management and international travel.
Despite the April 2026 deadline for EES implementation, UK border crossings have yet to reach full capacity for checks. Officials from both Dover and Eurotunnel confirmed that the anticipated biometric checks will not commence until the summer rush subsides. This postponement is significant, as it reflects ongoing challenges in adapting to the new system while managing existing passenger flows.
The Port of Dover's management has expressed concerns over severe congestion expected this summer, primarily due to high passenger volumes and the complexities of border control. A spokesperson for Eurotunnel stated that there will be no biometric capture at its Folkestone and Coquelles terminals during the peak season. The decision to delay full implementation is rooted in the desire to maintain operational efficiency and avoid overwhelming the current systems in place.
“LeShuttle customers will continue to travel as normal throughout the peak season, with no change to the process through its terminals,” the spokesperson noted. This assurance aims to provide some level of comfort to travelers who may be anxious about potential disruptions due to new border measures.
The EES files for non-EU travelers, which were introduced in April, will still be processed at the border. Passengers will remain in their vehicles while border police create a digital EES record without biometric data. This interim measure allows for some level of compliance with EES guidelines while avoiding the complications of biometric checks during the busy summer months.
“Eurotunnel has invested significantly in its infrastructure to ensure readiness for EES, including biometric capture. We are currently conducting live operational trials and await confirmation from French authorities regarding the timing of the next phase,” the spokesperson added. This highlights the ongoing efforts by transport operators to adapt to the evolving landscape of border control.
The Port of Dover has invested £40 million in new infrastructure, including 84 self-registration kiosks. However, the necessary back-end technology for file creation is still pending. This investment reflects the UK's commitment to enhancing its border facilities in anticipation of the EES implementation, but also underscores the complexities involved in integrating new technologies into existing systems.
“Summer at the Port of Dover is always busy, and we have thorough plans in place well in advance,” a spokesperson stated, emphasizing the collaborative efforts with French authorities and Kent County Council. This collaboration is crucial for ensuring that both sides of the border are prepared for the influx of travelers and the associated challenges.
Chief Executive Doug Banister previously warned of potential severe congestion, stating that queuing cars could spill onto public highways unless adjustments are made to EES procedures. Such warnings highlight the need for proactive measures to manage passenger flow effectively, particularly during peak travel times.
Travelers are advised not to arrive more than two hours before their scheduled ferry departure and to use main roads like the A20 and A2 to avoid local congestion. This advice aims to mitigate some of the expected delays and ensure smoother travel experiences for passengers. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen as the summer travel season progresses.
Currently, only coach passengers and freight drivers are subject to fully EES-compliant border checks at Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover. Coach passengers must disembark and go through border police checks, while car passengers will continue with the traditional passport scanning process. This partial implementation of EES reflects the transitional phase that many border control systems are currently navigating.
The UK government has recently allocated £20 million to enhance passport check facilities at the Port of Dover, supplementing previous investments aimed at improving border processing. This financial commitment underscores the importance of maintaining efficient and effective border management systems, especially in light of the anticipated surge in travel.
Eurostar terminals at London Saint Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord have also not begun full EES implementation due to similar technical issues. Self-check-in kiosks have been installed but remain non-operational. This situation reflects a broader trend across various transportation hubs in Europe, where the integration of new border technologies has faced delays and challenges.
The EU's Entry/Exit System has been gradually introduced since October 2025, with full implementation at Schengen external borders starting in April 2026. Countries can temporarily suspend checks if queues become unmanageable, a situation that has already been observed at several Italian airports. This flexibility indicates an awareness of the potential strains that the new system may place on border operations, especially during peak travel seasons.
The EES aims to track non-EU short-term visitors entering and exiting the Schengen area, replacing the manual stamping of passports with biometric data collection. This system is designed to enhance security and streamline border processes, but its effectiveness will largely depend on the successful integration of technology and the ability to manage passenger flow during busy periods.
As the summer travel season approaches, travel organizations warn that the situation may worsen, leading to longer wait times at busy border crossings. Given the complexities involved in the EES rollout and the existing challenges at the UK-France border, travelers are advised to stay informed about the latest developments and plan their journeys accordingly. The successful implementation of the EES will require ongoing collaboration between border authorities, transport operators, and travelers to ensure a smooth transition to this new system.
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