The Port of Dover has prepared for the launch of the new European Union Entry/Exit System (EES), which will come into effect this Sunday (October 12^th, 2025).

This important change in EU border processes will modernise and secure travel across the EU’s external borders, including at Dover, the UK’s busiest international ferry port.

The EES will be introduced in two phases at the Port of Dover:

From Sunday, 12^th October 2025: We intend for all coach passengers and foot passengers travelling through the Port of Dover will be required to attend the new bespoke coach facility at the Western Docks for EES and border processing.

We advise that all coach drivers arrive at the Western Docks no more than two hours before travel, as they did prior to the EES implementation.

As has been emphasised by the EU, this will be a very gradual and phased implementation, so alongside a 10% start, we also expect that the EES rollout here will start with the passport data before the biometric element is introduced

What is EES?

The EES is an automated IT system being introduced by the European Union to register non-EU nationals travelling into the Schengen Area. It will replace the current system of passport stamping with a modern, digital process designed to improve border security and efficiency.

The new process at Dover

When traveling from Dover to France, non-EU and Third-Country Nationals, including UK passport holders, will need to complete EES registration and biometric checks with French border authorities before boarding their ferry.

This involves:

1. Passport verification – Travel documents will be scanned and registered at kiosks at the Western Docks facility.

2. Biometric enrolment – All Travellers will be required to provide fingerprints and a facial image.

Children under the age of 12 will only have to provide a photo, not fingerprints.

3. Automated record creation – The system will record each entry and exit, including the date and location of travel.

4. Subsequent Travel to the Continent -On all subsequent visits to the Port of Dover, travellers must visit the EES facilities at the Western Docks to verify their EES profile.

The registration process only needs to be completed on a passenger’s first journey after EES comes into force. On subsequent trips, it will still be mandatory for all passengers to visit the EES Western Docks facility, but the system will automatically recognise registered travellers, speeding up the border crossing process.

If a passenger does not subsequently travel again within 3 years, the registration process will have to be completed again.

Preparing for the change

The Port of Dover, working closely with the UK Government, French border authorities, Ferry operators, and travel partners, has been making extensive preparations to help ensure a smooth introduction of the new system. Passengers are strongly advised to:

• Allow extra time for their journey, especially during the initial weeks of the EES going live.
• Have travel documents ready and follow guidance from operators and border staff.
• Check with their ferry company for the latest advice before travelling.

Doug Bannister, Chief Executive of the Port of Dover, said: “The Port of Dover has delivered significant investment and infrastructure and has been working with our partners to make the transition to full EES operations as smooth as possible.

Along with our counterparts who are also implementing EES, there are still some outstanding technology challenges that we are navigating with the French provider and border authorities as we collectively work towards go-live.  We anticipate activation for cars in November, once the technology is installed and is working as expected.

We ask all passengers to familiarise themselves with the new process via their ferry operator, allow extra time, and work with us as this major European system is introduced.

The long-term benefits of EES will be improved border security and a more modern, efficient travel experience for millions of passengers each year.”

Notes to editors

• The Port of Dover is closing the gap every day between the UK and the world by connecting trade, travel, visitors and communities locally-globally, collaborating with local and international partners to create a more seamless, sustainable and tech-enabled port.
• As the UK’s busiest international ferry port and a vital gateway for the movement of people and trade, Dover handles £144 billion of trade per year, 33% of UK trade in goods with the EU and welcomes over 11 million passengers.
• Dover is an award-winning cruise port, delivering world class travel and visitor experiences to over 20 different cruise lines each year. With a growing and diversifying cargo business operating from state-of-the-art facilities, a new marina which is at the centre of the revived waterfront, plus opportunities for further expansion in the future, Dover’s proud history dating back 400 years has a new modern twist.