The EU has recognised that a “big bang” approach to implementation of the EES system would probably result in significant issues and delays on the implementation date. Instead, they have provided for a six-month implementation period from 12^th October 2025 to 9^th April 2026, to allow member states to bring in the new system in a measured way. However, if a border crossing implements EES, they are required to apply it to all passengers by December 2025. 10% of frontier posts are required to implement at least partially the EES system on 12^thOctober, rising to 50% by 1^st January 2026. Full implementation at all frontier points is required by 9^th April 2026 and it is only when that full implementation has been achieved that passports will stop being stamped.

This is ‘two-way’ process as travellers have to both register their entry into the EU and also their departure so that the number of days spent in the EU can be monitored. Those who are not EU residents may only spend a total of 90 days in the EU (which can be in several countries) in each 180-day rolling period.

In particular, for entry into France, we understand that the following is likely to happen:

-         At the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras, most passengers will not be expected to register in the EES system from 12^th October. We understand that some passengers will be registered by the border control officer as they present their passport, but do not yet have any indication of what percentage of passengers will be affected. For those passengers travelling in Business Class or who have Carte Blanche loyalty cards, It is intended that those passengers will be asked to register at the EES kiosks to act as a trial prior to the kiosks being made available to all passengers later in the year. 49 kiosks have been installed in various parts of the station as there is not sufficient space for all of them to have been located next to the Eurostar entrance. Passport stamping is expected to continue in parallel to EES registration until April 2026.

-         At the Ferry terminal in Dover, we understand that coaches will be the first to be asked to complete EES registration. All passengers will be asked to leave the coach and enter their details at a kiosk and then go through passport control before reboarding their bus. No date has yet been announced for the application of EES to car passengers, although 72 kiosks have been installed for use when the procedure begins.

-         It will also be coaches, but also freight vehicles, to which EES will be applied first on the Shuttle from 12^th October. Car passengers will be required to register a few weeks later, and one source has indicated this may be from 1^st November. On arrival at the terminal, information provided at the ticket kiosk will identify whether your vehicle is required to go through the EES channel or not. We do not yet have information on when this information will be collected,t hat is whether it will be on booking the ticket or by answering questions on the terminal. The current process asks for pre-registration of passport details, but does not enquire about double nationality or EU residency so we expect there may be changes.

French border crossing points equipped with pre-registration devices for the EES system

At the following airports:

·        Roissy-Charles de Gaulle

·        Orly

·        Bâle-Mulhouse

·        Beauvais

·        Bordeaux

·        Lyon

·        Marseille

·        Montpellier

·        Nantes

·        Nice

·        Strasbourg

·        Toulouse

At the following stations:

·        Gare du Nord - France (Eurostar)

·        St Pancras Station - London (Eurostar)

·        Coquelles Terminal - France (Eurotunnel)

·        Folkestone Terminal - United Kingdom (Eurotunnel)

In the following ports:

·        Caen

·        Calais

·        Cherbourg

·        Dieppe

·        Douvres

·        Dunkerque

·        Le Havre

·        Marseille

·        Roscoff

·        Saint-Malo

·        Sete