Biometric registration for travelers entering the EU is set to begin on October 12, 2024, though enforcement will not be fully mandatory until April 12, 2026. Border officials have been granted the discretion to relax these new requirements temporarily to manage potential congestion at ports.
New biometric kiosks, worth millions of pounds, will be launched in the UK at Eurotunnel, Eurostar, and the Port of Dover in mid-October. For the initial phase, compliance will be required only for a small number of travelers, while a grace period of 90 days will allow for operational adjustments under the guidance of French border authorities.
The new system mandates that all non-EU citizens must have their fingerprints and photographs taken before entering the EU, with this biometric data stored in a central database for three years. The processing will occur under the supervision of immigration officers, impacting passengers arriving by air and those using the Channel crossing.
Concerns about increased wait times have been raised due to the unique logistics of Channel travel, where customs checks must be completed prior to boarding trains or ferries. Operators have indicated support for transitioning to a phased implementation rather than a sudden rollout. Eurotunnel has made substantial investments, including €80 million for infrastructure to support the biometric system, which involves dedicated kiosks and automated number plate recognition.
Passengers will be expected to spend approximately two minutes at the kiosks, while Eurostar estimates a total processing time of around 10 minutes. Although passengers are advised to arrive earlier than usual, confusion may arise from differing questions asked at various kiosks, complicating the travel experience. The Port of Dover has also prepared infrastructure aimed at managing traffic flow, which is designed to minimize congestion.
Starting in October, registration will initially apply to coach passengers and freight vehicles, with private vehicles due to follow in November.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/sep/25/biometric-checks-to-visit-eu-to-get-phased-rollout-from-october