UK Government Pledges £10.5 Million to Prepare for New EU Border Checks

The UK government has pledged £10.5 million to ensure a smooth transition when the much-delayed EU Entry/Exit System (EES) comes into force, currently expected in November 2024.

The money will be shared equally between three of the busiest crossings between Britain and the continent. The Port of Dover, the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone and the Eurostar terminal at London St Pancras International will each receive £3.5 million to install the technology required for the new checks.

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What the Entry/Exit System changes

EES is an automated IT system that registers travellers from non-EU or third countries — both visa holders and visa-exempt visitors — each time they cross an EU external border. It replaces the manual stamping of passports with a digital record of every entry and exit.

In practice, the change means UK and other non-EU travellers will have to register their fingerprints and have a photograph taken at the border. Authorities and operators have warned that, without preparation, the extra steps risk long queues and disruption at the busiest crossing points.

Where the money is going

At the Port of Dover, the funding will speed up the Granville Dock Project, which involves filling in the existing marina at the Western Docks to create a dedicated EES processing site.

At Eurotunnel and Eurostar, the money will pay for additional kiosks and support rigorous testing, recruitment and staff training. Eurostar had already unveiled plans for more self-service kiosks and e-gates at St Pancras, while Eurotunnel operator Getlink has invested more than £70 million since the process began, building a dedicated EES Zone at each terminal.

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Industry reaction and what comes next

Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said nobody wants to see excessive queues and that the funding would ensure borders are prepared, even though EES is an EU initiative. Simon Lejeune, Eurostar's chief safety and stations officer, called it a substantial investment and said the operator would be fully prepared and compliant by November. Emma Ward, chief operating officer at the Port of Dover, welcomed the step and said the port was working with the UK government towards more seamless travel. Getlink chief executive Yann Leriche said preparations had begun two years earlier, with a focus on customer satisfaction and competitive crossing times.

EES will be followed by a new visa-waiver scheme, ETIAS, currently expected in spring 2025 after several delays, for travellers from third countries entering the Schengen Area. For a fuller picture of how both systems work, see our ETIAS and EES overview.