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31m ago

EU Biometric Border Checks Begin Oct. 12 in Phased Rollout as Carriers Warn of Delays

Early activation in Estonia contrasts with a staggered rollout elsewhere that may lengthen queues during the transition.

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Automated European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) kiosks at the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone, Britain, September 23, 2025. REUTERS/Jack Taylor
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Overview

  • The Entry/Exit System will start on 12 October 2025 and be fully operational by 10 April 2026, recording fingerprints and a facial image for non‑EU travellers and phasing out passport stamping after a transition.
  • Readiness is uneven: Estonia will use EES at all air, sea and land frontiers from day one, Luxembourg will run it at Findel airport, and Germany will begin with Düsseldorf airport before wider expansion.
  • UK departures to Schengen will handle registration at St Pancras, Eurotunnel Folkestone and the Port of Dover, where vehicle occupants must leave cars for kiosks at a new processing site after tablet plans were dropped.
  • EasyJet and Wizz Air are advising customers to expect longer waits during the rollout, with analysts warning of “double red tape” and potential disruption, while the UK government says it is working to limit impacts.
  • Co‑op research suggests 29% of UK adults would be deterred from EU trips and 60% are unaware of EES, and travel experts note eligible dual nationals can use Irish passports to avoid the new checks.