The government has announced a £10.5 million funding package to help the Port of Dover, Eurostar, and Eurotunnel prepare for the EU’s new Digital Entry/Exit System (EES), the government has today (27 August 2024), announced £10.5 million to support preparations.

This system will require travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries to register at the border by providing fingerprints and photographs.

To minimize queuing and disruption, the funding will support the installation of EES technology and necessary site preparations. Each port will receive £3.5 million.

Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood said:

Nobody wants to see excessive queues at our ports, which is why we’re providing this funding to ensure our borders are as prepared as possible for the upcoming change – despite EES being an EU initiative.
Since coming into government, we have been reviewing plans and closely supporting ports to make sure they have the right processes in place so that EES registration can be smooth and queue times kept to a minimum.

At the Port of Dover, the funds will accelerate the Granville Dock Project, converting the existing marina at the Western Docks into an EES processing site. Eurotunnel and Eurostar will use the funds to install additional kiosks, conduct thorough testing, and support staff recruitment and training for a smoother EES rollout.

The ports are making significant progress and are on track for a smooth transition. This funding is part of the government’s broader plan to prepare for EES, following the Home Office’s expansion of the border control zone at the Port of Dover to allow more space for processing passengers.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra will visit the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel today to see the ongoing EES preparations said:

While EES checks will be a significant change to the EU border, we are working hard with the European Commission, member states and ports to ensure we are well prepared, and minimise any disruption for Brits travelling into Europe.
This additional funding for ports will ensure they have the right technology and processes in place, so that EES registration can take place as smoothly as possible.

Emma Ward, Chief Operations Officer, Port of Dover, said:

The funding is a welcome step towards the significant investments we are making to support government plans to prepare for the introduction of the EU’s EES scheme.
We are doing all that we can to be ready with the facilities that will be used by French border officials operating the new system whilst we continue to work with the UK government to deliver more seamless travel between the UK and EU.

Simon Lejeune, Eurostar Chief Safety and Stations Officer, said:

To ensure our customers continue to enjoy a seamless Eurostar experience as we prepare for the implementation of EES, we have made substantial investments in our station infrastructure.
With support from the government, we have enhanced our facilities and upgraded our technology to meet the new requirements. Eurostar will be fully prepared and compliant by November, ensuring a smooth transition for all our passengers.

Yann Leriche, CEO, Getlink (Eurotunnel) said:

Getlink started working 2 years ago on the adaptation of its terminal for the new EES regulation – the focus has always been on customer satisfaction, delivering the most competitive crossing time and experience at the border for non-EU travellers.
This funding will be used to test and add new technology on the UK terminal, that will be deployed during peak periods, providing more kiosks, if needed, in addition to the 106 already installed in the UK, plus the recruitment and training of staff whose focus will be to assist EES passengers.
The Group has invested more than £70 million since the beginning of the process, designing and building a new dedicated EES Zone on each terminal, making sure that when the new regulation is introduced people will travel through the Channel Tunnel just as easily as they do today.