EU's EES Biometric Kiosks at UK Ports: Key Info for Travelers

Published Date : 7/7/2025 

The EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to launch in October, requiring non-EU travelers to use biometric kiosks at UK ports like Dover. This shift aims to enhance border security but may lead to delays as systems adapt. The 'Travel to Europe' app offers pre-registration options, though full implementation remains pending. 

The European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to revolutionize border security across the Schengen area, with a critical rollout at the UK’s busiest port, Dover, beginning in October. This initiative, designed to track non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss travelers, will rely heavily on biometric kiosks for facial recognition, fingerprint scans, and passport verification. While the system aims to streamline immigration processes and prevent overstays, it also introduces new challenges for travelers and port authorities alike. The EES, a digital border management framework, requires all non-EU visitors to provide biometric data at entry and exit points, creating a detailed travel history for enhanced security. However, the transition to this technology has sparked concerns about potential delays, especially at high-traffic locations like Dover, where drivers and coach passengers will face a multi-step registration process. n n nPort of Dover Chief Executive Doug Bannister has warned of a “big change” in the autumn, with plans to adjust procedures to avoid long queues. Initially, the port considered handing tablets directly to vehicles, but this idea was scrapped due to safety and efficiency concerns. Instead, drivers will park on newly reclaimed land at the western docks, exit their vehicles, and register at self-service kiosks before proceeding to the eastern docks for final passport checks. Coach passengers will follow a similar routine, stopping in a dedicated holding area to use 24 self-service kiosks. Once all passengers are registered, the coach will be “sealed” and allowed to move to the ferry terminal. This process, while designed to maintain flow, may lead to bottlenecks if kiosks malfunction or travelers face technical issues. n n nThe EES’s implementation has been carefully phased to avoid overwhelming systems. EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner confirmed in June that all readiness declarations are complete, paving the way for an October start. France’s approval this summer marked the final hurdle, following earlier clearances from Germany, the Netherlands, and other Schengen countries. A formal regulation is expected to be signed this month, initiating a six-month window for full EES implementation. The phased approach, agreed upon in May, aims to prevent long queues and technical failures by spreading the rollout over 180 days. However, the system’s complexity raises questions about its readiness for the initial launch, particularly at ports like Dover, where the first wave of travelers will encounter the new procedures. n n nFrontex, the EU border agency, has developed a “Travel to Europe” app to ease the transition, allowing passengers to scan passports and take a selfie at home before arrival. While the app is set to be piloted in Sweden’s Arlanda Airport this year, it is not expected to be operational during the EES’s initial rollout. This means most travelers will rely on the self-service kiosks at ports and airports. The app, developed by companies like iProov and Entrust Datacard, is part of a broader effort to integrate digital travel credentials. However, its success depends on individual member states’ ability to integrate it with national systems, a challenge that could delay its full adoption. n n nBeyond the UK, airports in Spain and Portugal are also preparing for the EES. Spain’s Murcia International Airport, known as Corvera, is finalizing its biometric border control system, which will scan passports, fingerprints, and facial data. Similarly, Portuguese airports have begun installing new systems, though reports of delays due to increased passenger traffic and technical hiccups have surfaced. Portugal’s Internal Security System (SSI) has acknowledged the need for an “adaptation period,” citing the complexity of integrating VIS4, PASSE+, and the Borders Portal. Despite these challenges, officials are taking steps to improve service, including reinforcing network capacity and deploying additional automatic passenger control equipment at major airports like Lisbon and Porto. n n nThe EES’s rollout also introduces the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), a pre-travel authorization required six months after the EES becomes fully operational. This $8.21 fee will grant travelers multiple entries over three years or until their passport expires. While ETIAS is designed to complement the EES, it adds another layer of bureaucracy for frequent travelers. For now, the focus remains on the EES’s implementation, with travelers urged to plan for longer wait times as the system settles in. Once registered, however, repeat travelers may benefit from stored biometric credentials that streamline future crossings. n n nAs the EES takes shape, its impact on border security and traveler experiences will be closely watched. The system’s success hinges on its ability to balance security with efficiency, a challenge that will test the readiness of ports, airports, and digital infrastructure across the EU. For now, the UK’s Dover port and Spanish and Portuguese airports remain at the forefront of this transformation, setting the stage for a new era in cross-border travel. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the EES, and why is it important?

A: The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a digital border management framework for the Schengen area, tracking non-EU travelers via biometric data. It aims to enhance security, prevent overstays, and streamline immigration processes by recording entry and exit details.

Q: How will biometric kiosks work at UK ports?

A: At Dover, drivers and coach passengers will park, exit vehicles, and use self-service kiosks for facial scans, fingerprinting, and passport checks. The process is designed to prevent delays but may face challenges with technical issues or high traffic.

Q: What role does the 'Travel to Europe' app play?

A: The app allows passengers to pre-register by scanning passports and taking a selfie at home. While piloted in Sweden, it may not be fully operational during the EES’s initial rollout, leaving most travelers to rely on kiosks at ports and airports.

Q: Why are there delays at some European airports?

A: Increased passenger traffic and the complexity of integrating new systems like VIS4 and PASSE+ have caused delays. Portugal’s SSI cited an 'adaptation period' to address network capacity and technical challenges.

Q: What is ETIAS, and how does it relate to the EES?

A: ETIAS is a pre-travel authorization system launching six months after the EES. It requires a $8.21 fee for multiple entries over three years, complementing the EES by adding an extra layer of security for travelers. 

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