Eurostar has assured that UK travellers will face "no delays" at London St Pancras when the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) comes into effect on October 12, 2025.
The operator of the Channel Tunnel train contends that it is well-equipped to introduce the long-overdue EES which will require passengers from non-EU countries, including the UK, to submit biometric information, such as fingerprints and a facial photo, prior to entry into the EU.
The new system will ultimately eliminate the passport stamping.
Although people are worried that the extra checks will lead to delays in travelling, especially at major terminals such as St Pancras, the Port of Dover and Folkestone, Eurostar believes the process will be rapid.
The passengers will be served through self-service kiosks, which will take approximately 90 seconds to scan passports, collect biometric information, and respond to travel-related questions.
Those under 12 will not be fingerprinted, whilst all minors will be registered. Check-in times will not be changed, since currently they are in the 60 to 75 minutes before departure range.
While talking to PA news, Eurostar chief safety and stations officer stated: “We are ready. We have a seamless and smooth experience for our customers that will have to do EES in the months ahead.”
To improve the user experience, Eurostar has invested over £11 million to improve facilities at St Pancras with 49 kiosks, compared to the recommended number of 21 by French authorities.
Only select frequent or premium travellers would be invited to use the kiosks during the six-month phased launch.
This is supposed to be fully implemented by April 10, 2026, right after the Easter break next year.
Registered passengers will not be required to rescan their fingerprints within three years, but they will still need to continue using kiosks.
The phased rollout was hailed as a sensible way of helping travellers to get used to the new system by the travel industry body ABTA.
