Car passengers at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel will not face full biometric checks this month after technical failures forced a last-minute postponement of the new EU border system.
The European Union’s Entry-Exit System (EES) was scheduled to become fully mandatory on 10 April 2026. However, French authorities conceded just days before the deadline that the technology remains unstable. While the system is already recording data for coach passengers and lorry drivers, private motorists will continue to have their passports manually checked and stamped for now.
Software glitches and connectivity issues on the French side triggered the delay. Officials found that hardware installed at the UK’s “juxtaposed” controls could not reliably communicate with central EU databases. This failure has prevented the full launch of fingerprint and facial-scan requirements for millions of British holidaymakers.
Technology failing at the finish line
Port authorities in Kent confirmed that the rollout for cars is now on hold indefinitely. The Port of Dover stated that it must wait until current issues with French technology are resolved. They also insisted on thorough testing at the Dover Western Docks before any new live launch.
Eurotunnel, which manages the LeShuttle service from Folkestone, echoed these concerns. The operator told passengers that biometric collection will only start when they receive a formal go-ahead from French and EU regulators.
“We are working closely with our French partners to ensure a smooth introduction,” a spokesperson for the port said. This work includes resolving software failures in the pre-registration kiosks that were intended to speed up the process. Dozens of these terminals, which cost the Port of Dover an estimated £40 million in preparation, currently sit idle or operate in a limited capacity.
What happens at the border now?
Despite the delay in fingerprinting, the border experience is still changing. Since 10 April, French border police (Police aux Frontières) have started manually registering car travellers into the EES database. This means that while your photo might not be taken, your details are still being entered into a new digital ledger.
- Manual entry: Officers will ask drivers more questions to create a digital profile. This includes verifying the purpose of travel and ensuring the 90-day limit has not been exceeded.
- Paper stamps stay: Passport stamping remains the primary way to track the 90-day stay limit until the digital system is fully operational. This is a temporary measure to bridge the gap.
- Peak time flexibility: The EU is allowing a 90-day grace period where border checks can be simplified if queues become too long. This could be extended for another 60 days to cover the summer peak.
Toby Howe, from the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum, warned that this “light” version of the system could still cause friction. He noted that even without biometrics, the extra data entry means passengers will spend more time at the booth. “For the foreseeable future, passengers must provide additional information,” he said. “This registers them into the EES but without the fingerprints for now.”
Warnings of Kent gridlock
The delay brings a sense of relief to local leaders who feared immediate gridlock on Kent’s motorways. However, the underlying technical problems have caused widespread frustration. Business leaders have warned that uncertainty makes it impossible for travel firms to plan effectively.
The Union des Ports de France recently wrote to the French government about these risks. They warned that the current equipment could lead to “massively lengthened turnaround times” and “security risks” at ferry terminals. Unlike airports, where passengers wait in lounges, port delays quickly lead to tailbacks on the M20 and A20. These queues threaten both local residents and the flow of international trade.
A digital border in stages
The EES aims to replace the “hit or miss” nature of physical passport stamps with a robust digital record. Once the system works, it will store a traveller’s facial image and four fingerprints for three years. This should eventually make future crossings faster for frequent visitors to the Schengen area.
This latest setback is part of a series of postponements. The EU had originally planned to launch the system in 2024, but technical hurdles have repeatedly pushed the date back. Critics argue that the infrastructure was never designed for “juxtaposed” borders where French checks happen on British soil.
Looking further ahead, the EU still plans to introduce the ETIAS travel authorisation in late 2026. This scheme will require British citizens to pay a £6 (€7) fee and apply for permission to enter the EU online. For now, the French Interior Ministry says engineers are working to fix the EES connectivity issues. A new date for car biometric checks will follow only after successful joint testing between British and French officials. Passengers are advised to allow extra travel time during the upcoming bank holiday weekends regardless of the delay.
