UK Government pledges £10.5 million to prepare for new EU border checks

The UK Government has committed £10.5 million to support preparations for the long‑delayed Entry/Exit System (EES), which is scheduled to come into force in November.

The European Union’s new digital border regime will require travellers from the UK and other non‑EU countries to register fingerprints and facial images when crossing an external EU border. The change has raised concerns about longer queues and operational disruption at major departure points.

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels

Funding will be split equally between three major locations. The Port of Dover, Eurotunnel’s terminal at Folkestone, and the Eurostar terminal at London St Pancras International will each receive £3.5 million to install and test the technology required for the new checks.

According to the European Union, the EES is “an automated IT system for registering travellers from third‑countries, both short‑stay visa holders and visa‑exempt travellers, each time they cross an EU external border”. Once introduced, it will replace the traditional manual stamping of passports.

At the Port of Dover, the government contribution will accelerate work on the Granville Dock Project. This project involves filling in the existing marina at the Western Docks to create additional space dedicated to EES processing facilities.

At Eurotunnel and Eurostar, the funding will support the installation of extra self‑service kiosks, extensive system testing, and the recruitment and training of additional staff.

Earlier in the year, Eurostar confirmed plans to expand the number of self‑use kiosks, e‑gates and staffing levels at St Pancras International ahead of the EES launch. Eurotunnel has already invested more than £70 million since the start of the adaptation process.

The Government says the three sites are on track to manage the transition smoothly once the system becomes operational.

Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said the funding is intended to prevent severe congestion at ports. She stated that the government is ensuring borders are ready for the change, even though EES is an EU initiative, and that close work with ports is ongoing to keep registration and queue times to a minimum.

Simon Lejeune, Eurostar’s chief safety and stations officer, said the operator has made substantial investments in station infrastructure and technology. With government backing, Eurostar expects to be fully prepared and compliant by November, allowing passengers to continue travelling with minimal disruption.

Emma Ward, chief operations officer at the Port of Dover, described the funding as a welcome contribution towards wider investments needed to support the introduction of EES. She noted that preparations are being made for French border officials who will operate the new system, while work continues with the UK Government to maintain smooth UK–EU travel.

Yann Leriche, chief executive of Getlink, which operates Eurotunnel, said preparations began two years ago. He highlighted the focus on customer experience and confirmed that more than £70 million has already been invested to build dedicated EES zones at each terminal, ensuring that travel through the Channel Tunnel remains as seamless as possible.

The EES will later be followed by the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a visa‑waiver scheme for travellers from so‑called third countries entering the Schengen Area. ETIAS is currently expected to launch in spring 2025 after multiple delays.