EU launches EES border checks but technical glitches delay biometrics at UK-France crossings

French authorities revert to manual passport stamping at Channel ports as digital kiosks fail

The European Union’s ambitious Entry/Exit System (EES) officially went live today, April 10, 2026, but the rollout has been marred by significant technical glitches at the UK-France border. While airports across the Schengen Area have begun collecting biometric data, French border officials at the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel Folkestone, and London St Pancras were forced to postpone the digital switchover just hours before the deadline.

Despite a £10.5 million investment from the UK government to prepare these "juxtaposed" ports, engineers reportedly failed final acceptance tests for the biometric software. As a result, the automated kiosks intended to process millions of British holidaymakers remain offline at key departure points.

British/French channel crossings revert to "Light Phase"

To prevent total gridlock during the Easter and spring holiday period, the French Police aux Frontières (PAF) has implemented a temporary "light" processing phase at all Channel crossings.

• Manual stamping: Travelers will continue to have their passports stamped by hand to track the 90-day stay limit.

• No fingerprints: The planned collection of fingerprints and facial images has been suspended at these specific locations until at least late April.

• Peak wait times: Even with manual processing, Eurotunnel and ferry operators have warned that inconsistent system connections could lead to delays of 60–90 minutes during peak hours.

Biometrics live at European airports

The glitches appear localized to the complex "juxtaposed" controls where French officials operate on British soil. Travelers flying directly from the UK to destinations like Spain, Italy, or Germany will likely encounter the full EES process upon arrival.

"We are well aware that despite the agreed timeline, a few member states are still encountering technical difficulties," said Arianna Podesta, European Commission spokesperson. "We are in close contact with these states to ensure the system becomes fully operational as soon as possible."

What travelers need to know before traveling between France and the United Kingdom

The advice remains to allow extra buffer time at the border. While you may be "waved through" with a traditional stamp at Dover today, you will still need to provide biometrics eventually. Once the technical glitches are resolved, your first successful EES registration will create a digital profile valid for three years.

This profile will eventually allow for faster transit, but for the start of the 2026 season, travelers should expect a mix of old-school stamping and new-world digital hurdles.