Overview

• Eurostar has installed 49 Entry‑Exit System kiosks at St Pancras to capture facial images, fingerprints and passport data for UK passport holders before departure to the Schengen area.
• During registration, passengers will be asked about accommodation, a return ticket, sufficient funds and insurance, with any “no” answer triggering referral to a French border officer who could delay or refuse entry.
• After a media demo, Eurostar said the final question will be corrected from “medical insurance” to “travel insurance,” even as the European Commission maintains medical cover is not an EU requirement and France applies its own rule.
• Eurostar will phase in EES use: business and premium travellers from 12 October, standard class from 12 January, with full operation targeted by 12 April and a possible 90‑day extension if needed.
• Motorists using Eurotunnel’s LeShuttle at Folkestone will not face the kiosk questions because that terminal relies on face‑to‑face border checks rather than e‑gates.