EES at Eurotunnel terminals
What is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a European system for the automated management of entries and exits at the EU’s external borders for non-European travellers. It aims to modernise and secure controls by replacing manual passport stamps with electronic recording of biometric data (fingerprints and facial recognition) and travel information.
To learn more, visit the European Commission website: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/smart-borders/entry-exit-system_en
A gradual rollout of controls starting on 12 October 2025
As requested by the French authorities, EES will be gradually implemented at Eurotunnel terminals.
From 12 October 2025, the launch of EES at Eurotunnel sites will concern truck drivers, coach drivers and their passengers.
By the end of 2025, EES checks will be extended to passengers in passenger vehicles, with a gradual ramp-up phase until April 2026 to help travellers get to grips with the new system.
In April 2026, EES will be applicable at all border crossing points.
Implementation of EES at Eurotunnel terminals
In 2022, Getlink set up a dedicated internal task force to prepare for the implementation of EES at Eurotunnel’s French and English terminals. This large-scale project has mobilised all of the Group’s expertise, in close collaboration with the French authorities and technology partners, to model, test and then build EES Zones at our French and British terminals that are fully integrated into our customer journey.
Digital twins of the terminals were used to simulate passenger flows under different traffic scenarios. Each stage of the customer journey was analysed in detail to ensure minimal impact on journey times and to guarantee the quality of the customer experience, even on busy days.
The construction of EES zones at Eurotunnel terminals: The goal of creating the smartest possible border.
An investment of €80 million has enabled the development of EES zones at our terminals in Folkestone in the United Kingdom and Coquelles in France. The work, completed in April 2024 for the French terminal and August 2024 for the UK terminal, resulted in the creation of 7,000 m² of covered pre-registration areas at each site, capable of accommodating up to 53 vehicles simultaneously at the UK terminal and 59 vehicles at the French terminal. The ecosystem of technology partners working with the EES project team has enabled numerous technological advances, such as intelligent passenger guidance systems that optimise passenger routing to kiosks based on the composition of each car.
A total of 224 biometric kiosks have been installed to enable rapid passenger registration. Tests conducted with volunteer passengers have confirmed the simplicity and speed of the system.
A redesigned customer journey to ensure smooth flow
The customer experience remains a top priority for Eurotunnel. The entire journey has been redesigned to limit the impact on the time taken to complete biometric checks, with an average processing time of 2 minutes per passenger for the first registration, followed by a faster passage for subsequent crossings (simple facial scan).
Thanks to an ambitious investment strategy and the determination of its teams to develop the most intelligent and user-friendly border possible for our customers, Getlink aims to turn this new European regulatory change into a competitive advantage. Ease of use was the driving force behind the preparatory phases.
