Dover and Eurotunnel Delay EU Entry/Exit System Rollout at Channel Crossings

The Port of Dover and Eurotunnel have announced fresh delays in implementing the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric border checks, citing technical issues with French technology just days before the planned full launch on April 10.www.biometricupdate.com French authorities requested the postponement to allow for resolution of setbacks and thorough testing, ensuring a smoother experience for passengers, according to a Dover spokesperson. This follows previous delays at these key routes for UK travelers to the EU, with manual passport stamping likely to continue into the summer.www.traveltourister.com

The EES, which began a phased rollout on October 12, 2025, across 29 Schengen countries, requires non-EU visitors like those from the UK to provide fingerprints and facial scans at kiosks upon entry.www.thetimes.com While the system has processed over 45 million crossings and flagged security risks, it has caused queues of up to 7 hours at airports like Lisbon and Paris CDG during peak times. At Channel sites, simulations at Eurotunnel's Coquelles terminal showed processing dropping to 180 cars per hour from 400, raising fears of 2-4 hour waits during the Easter rush.www.visahq.com

Travelers are advised to add 60-90 minutes to arrival times at Dover post-April 10 and prepare for potential disruptions, with ferry operators like DFDS and P&O considering stricter cut-off times. The EU allows a 90-day partial suspension plus a 60-day extension, potentially pushing full operations beyond summer, while passport stamping persists in the interim. UK warnings highlight traffic chaos risks at these borders amid the holiday peak.