Eurostar passengers are set to encounter a significant change in their travel routine from next month, as new EU border checks requiring mandatory fingerprinting and facial photographs come into force. The enhanced biometric controls are part of the European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES).
Rail executives are moving to reassure travellers, insisting the process will be 'smooth and seamless' and promising that additional staff and new technology will prevent lengthy queues at stations like London's St Pancras International.
What is the New EES System?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system designed to register non-EU nationals each time they cross an EU external border. The system will digitally record:
- The person's name
- Travel document details
- Biometric data including fingerprints and facial images
- Date and place of entry and exit
This move replaces the manual stamping of passports and aims to strengthen border security across the Schengen Area.
Preparing for the Change
Eurostar has confirmed it is implementing a major preparation programme to handle the new requirements. This includes installing over 49 new kiosks at London St Pancras and hiring extra staff to assist passengers through the new process.
Despite these assurances, concerns linger about the potential for disruption, especially during peak travel periods. The new checks are expected to add minutes to each passenger's processing time, a significant factor for a service that carries thousands of people daily.
The rollout of the EES system marks one of the most substantial changes to cross-Channel travel since the implementation of Brexit-related border formalities.
