France’s busiest airports, Channel ports and cross-Channel train terminals are now operating the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), following its official launch on October 12.
The new technology marks the EU’s biggest change to passport control in decades, replacing manual passport stamping with a digital record of each traveller’s movements in and out of the Schengen area.
Phased introduction to ease queues
France has adopted a phased rollout, meaning the system is not yet active for every passenger or at every site. The approach is designed to limit disruption as the new checks – which include biometric scans and digital registration – are introduced.
EES registration points now include self-service kiosks and tablet devices at airports, ferry ports and Eurostar/Eurotunnel terminals. These allow travellers to pre-register their details before seeing a border guard.
Officials and travel bodies say the first days of operation have been relatively smooth, although longer queues have been reported at some Channel crossings during peak periods.
Industry welcomes gradual rollout
Johan Roos, InterferryInterferry
Ferry industry body Interferry and UK travel agents’ association Abta both welcomed France’s decision to stagger implementation.
Interferry’s regulatory affairs director Johan Roos said the earlier plan to activate EES everywhere on the same day would have been “massively disruptive”. A gradual approach, he said, allows each country to “adapt to local conditions and avoid gridlock at peak times”.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer agreed that spreading implementation over six months “gives the system time to bed in while minimising impact on travellers”. It also eases pressure on operators during the busy October half-term and Christmas travel periods, he said.
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Where EES is now active
EES registration has begun at the following French-controlled border points:
Train/road terminals: Paris Gare du Nord (Eurostar), London St Pancras (Eurostar), Coquelles and Folkestone (Eurotunnel), Dover
At some sites, only coach passengers were processed in the first phase. Car passengers at Dover and Eurotunnel are expected to follow from November, using kiosks or tablets near the border booths.
Who needs to register?
EES applies to non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss citizens visiting the Schengen area for short stays – including Britons, Americans, Canadians and Australians – whether for tourism, business or second-home visits.
Foreign residents with French residency cards or long-stay visas are not registered in EES but must still use “all passports” lanes, not EU lanes, and present their visa or residence card to border officials.
Passport details (including number, nationality, and expiry date)
Facial image
Four right-hand fingerprints (left if right is not possible)
Answers to travel questions such as length and purpose of stay
Minors accompanied by adults do not have their fingerprints taken; unaccompanied minors complete the process with a border guard.
Once a traveller is registered, only a quick biometric validation is required on future trips. The system automatically logs entries and exits, replacing the need for passport stamps and ensuring compliance with the 90/180-day rule.
How the pre-registration equipment is being used
A passenger uses a kioskGetlink
At major sites, self-service kiosks are used inside terminals. At others, helpers with tablets move between vehicles or queues to assist passengers with pre-registration.
Ports such as Caen, Cherbourg and Dieppe have chosen tablet-based systems, while Dover has installed dedicated areas where car and coach passengers can pull up to use kiosks before proceeding to border control.
Airports and Eurostar terminals rely primarily on fixed kiosks, which offer multilingual instructions and on-site assistance.
A mobile pre-registration app is still under development but not yet available for France-bound travel.
Expected border impacts
The French airports body UAF said the first days of EES operation caused slightly longer waiting times, though the effect should lessen once more passengers have completed their first registration.
France’s Interior Ministry has promised an additional 1,000 police officers to reinforce border teams. The Douanes (customs) also reported having extra staff available following Brexit.
Eurotunnel operator Getlink said its terminals can now process up to 550 vehicles per hour, or about 1,500 passengers, through the new EES lanes. The company used AI modelling and traffic simulations to optimise the number of kiosks and avoid motorway congestion.
What travellers should expect
Allow extra time for crossings, especially the first since October 12.
Follow staff instructions on when and where to use kiosks or tablets.
Bring necessary documents, including proof of residence if applicable.
Expect biometric scans only once – future trips will be faster.
Looking ahead: Etias next year
Interferry’s Mr Roos noted that from mid-2026, travellers will also face the launch of Etias, the EU’s €20 online pre-authorisation system, valid for three years.
“Governments are increasing digital control over passenger movements very rapidly,” he said. “Implementing both EES and Etias within a short period is a major operational challenge for transport operators.”
