France Streamlines Biometric Kiosks at UK Borders for Faster Traveler Regis

Published Date : 10/17/2025 

France has temporarily removed certain admissibility questions from the Entry-Exit System (EES) kiosks at UK checkpoints to expedite traveler registration for the new biometric-based border scheme. 

The Entry-Exit System (EES) kiosks at London’s St Pancras railway station have temporarily removed certain questions in order to speed up traveler registration for the European Union’s biometric-based border scheme, launched last Sunday.

International railway service Eurostar has installed 49 self-serve biometric kiosks for EES pre-registration at St Pancras station, which connects London to Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. Aside from submitting biographical data, fingerprints, and facial images, the kiosks also required third-country nationals traveling to the Schengen area, including British citizens, to answer four “admissibility” questions.

The questions asked whether the passenger had a return ticket, sufficient funds for their stay, booked accommodation, and medical insurance. The first two were requirements for entering the Schengen area, while the second two were conditions imposed by France.

According to the rules, Eurostar passengers who answered truthfully that they did not meet the conditions were to be sent for closer inspection by border police. The procedure, however, has sparked concerns that Eurostar passengers will face long delays or even be turned away, The Independent reports.

“We know those questions have caused significant confusion, particularly within the kiosk process,” says Simon Lejeune, chief stations and safety officer for Eurostar. “We’re very pleased that, through discussions with the French ministry and our colleagues, it’s been agreed that those questions can be technically removed from the kiosks during the initial six-month introduction phase of the new system,” he adds.

EES kiosks have also been installed at other UK checkpoints connecting the country with the European continent, including the Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone (supplied by IN Groupe). The Port of Dover has confirmed it will not introduce admissibility questions until at least April 2026, which is the deadline for the full EES rollout. Folkestone is also not including the questions.

The Travel to Europe app from iProov and Inverid has launched to ease the process with biometric pre-enrollment, but needs to be integrated into the various national solutions for EES.

The EES tracks non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals crossing the borders of Schengen countries. The digital border management scheme captures face and fingerprint biometrics and passport data, recording dates and locations of travel to enhance security and curb overstays.

As of Thursday, the system has recorded over 300,000 movements across participating countries despite struggling with slowdowns and rule infractions.

French border authorities have taken a strict approach to implementing the EES requirements. The questioning, however, has become less systematic and more targeted, as France takes a more pragmatic approach, Lejeune told the UK Justice and Home Affairs Committee earlier this week.

Border officers at the London St Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord railway stations are currently only selecting a few passengers to undergo EES procedures. The travelers are being inspected manually by officers equipped with fingerprint panels and cameras instead of the biometric kiosks.

Eurostar has observed transaction times of 50 seconds, including biometrics registration, passport checks, and stamping, according to Lejeune. “So quite encouraging, and that’s without the kiosks that do that pre-registration, which we’ll be introducing over the next few weeks,” he says. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What are the admissibility questions at EES kiosks?

A: The admissibility questions ask whether the passenger has a return ticket, sufficient funds for their stay, booked accommodation, and medical insurance.

Q: Why were the admissibility questions removed from the EES kiosks?

A: The questions were causing significant confusion and potential delays, leading to their temporary removal to expedite the registration process.

Q: Where are the EES kiosks installed in the UK?

A: EES kiosks are installed at London’s St Pancras railway station, the Port of Dover, and the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone.

Q: What is the purpose of the EES?

A: The EES tracks non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals crossing the borders of Schengen countries, capturing biometric data to enhance security and curb overstays.

Q: When will the full EES rollout be completed?

A: The full EES rollout is expected to be completed by April 2026. 

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