New EU border IT system ‘expected for October’

New digital border checks which would hit millions of people travelling to and from Europe are expected to come into effect in October, according to the European Commission (EC).

The long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace current passport stamping, requiring visitors from outside the European Union to register fingerprints, a photo, and passport details to enter the bloc.

Doug Bannister, chief executive of the Port of Dover, told BBC South East there was no exact date for the system launch but that the port was anticipating a 1 November rollout.

A spokesperson for the EC said: “The entry into operation of EES is foreseen for October 2025.”

The EES was due to come into use on 10 November 2024 but was delayed because the technology was not yet ready.

Under the new system, French border police check passports as people leave the UK at Dover and Eurotunnel in Folkestone, as well as at London St Pancras for the Eurostar.

Citizens of countries which are outside the EU, including the UK, will need to register their biometric information.

The new system aims to tighten border security but has led to fears of long delays.

Mr Bannister said: “We have invested heavily in creating a facility in our western dock to allow the registration process to take place out there before travellers reach the ferry terminal.”

Eurotunnel said it was ready for the new border checks to be implemented but have not been given a concrete starting date.

It added it had built a new area to process passengers at the terminal.