UK Nationals looking to plan their summer holidays in Europe should brace themselves for extended border checks until later on in the year. This is due to the postponed launch of the European Union’s (EU) new Entry and Exit System (EES). Rather than enjoying smooth digital processing, British travellers will need to step out of their vehicles at the border for biometric checks.
These checks will require fingerprinting and facial scans. Doug Bannister, the Chief Executive of the Port of Dover, has said that these biometric checks will be carried out manually until at least November 2025. The manual border checks will affect anyone entering the Schengen Area by car or bus.
Many have eagerly awaited the EU’s EES, which was set to enhance border control by substituting traditional passport stamping with a digital biometric approach. Unfortunately, the EU has delayed the launch of its verification application due to some development challenges.
Bannister has said that the app will not be ready until at least November 2025. After that, the EES should be properly up and running.
The biometric checks are part of the EU’s long-anticipated border modernisation efforts. However, recent updates indicate that key elements of the process will not be prepared in time for the initial launch.
In an attempt to ease delays as much as possible, the Port of Dover has reclaimed 13 hectares of land to be used for passengers exiting their cars for inspections. The extra land should help manage traffic flow throughout the upcoming peak summer travel season.
Until the EES is put in place, every UK traveller is required to complete the following checks at EU borders:
- During the initial trip, fingerprints and facial images will be taken.
- Passport numbers will be electronically connected to biometric information.
- For future trips, this data will be checked to allow entry.
- Manual stamping of passports will persist, which will increase processing times.
Even those who travel often will have to leave their vehicles for verification at each visit until the system is automated. To prevent delays and frustration during busy travel times, tourists from the UK should arrive at ports and borders well in advance, particularly at Dover.
They should also be ready for long lines and be prepared to exit vehicles for inspections. Have all necessary documents on hand, including valid passports and required travel paperwork. If travelling in groups, make sure everyone understands the process to reduce confusion. Also, try to stay informed with updates from the Port of Dover or EU travel advisory websites.
Once you sign up, returning travellers will be matched up using their biometric info and passport number, which will let them automatically track how long they stay in the Schengen zone. But until the pre-registration app is ready, biometric data will be collected only at the border, which could slow things down, especially at busy land crossings.
