The new rules will be most visible in St. Pancras and at British ferry ports such as Calaisand at Le Shuttle terminal Folkesteenbecause in both cases the French border is on British soil.
But Simon Lejeune, chief stations and safety officer at Eurostar, said at a media briefing on Tuesday: “We are confident it won't be a mess because we have the right setup.
“We are not going to ask our customers to come earlier. We are confident, and our modeling supports this, that we will continue to operate within the current check-in times from start to finish – and we are looking to reduce these.”
This means that passengers should normally arrive at St. Pancras station between 45 and 60 minutes before the departure time of their Eurostar-area train, and 90 minutes in advance during peak times, such as school holidays.
Poetry in motion: the statue of Sir John Betjeman in St. Pancras
Ross Lydall
What is the EES system and how does it work?
EES is the long-delayed IT system that collects biometric data from travelers from 'third countries', such as the post-Brexit UK, which are not part of the EU or the wider border-free Schengen trading area. The system is being introduced to improve security and reduce illegal migration.
It puts an end to the “wet stamping” of passports by border officials.
EES can work as an automated system – with passengers passing through e-gates after registering their biometric data and answering four questions about their journey, such as where they are staying, in an electronic booth. However, manual border gates will also be available for passengers in need of assistance, including passengers with children under 12, who are not allowed to use e-gates.
How much is Eurostar spending at St Pancras in preparation for the EES?
Around €10 million will be spent on improving check-in systems at St Pancras, mainly by Eurostar. HS1, which owns the station, also contributes.
A total of 49 check-in kiosks will be opened, up from 24 currently, and the number of e-gates will increase from eight to 11.
In addition, manual cabins staffed by French border police officers will double from nine to 18. Eurostar says the changes will create a “one-stop shop” for passengers to cross between Britain and the EU.
Where are the check-in desks located?
They can be found in three locations. The main check-in area is in the corner unit currently occupied by Benugo, opposite the station's main Network Rail ticket office and the escalators leading to the Thameslink platforms.
There will be a second stand, mainly for passengers with mobility problems and first class passengers, in the main Eurostar area in the center of the station. A third overflow area, on the first floor of the station, near Searcy's restaurant, will be open during peak hours.
The two main check-in booths are separated from the main Eurostar area due to space constraints at St. Pancras station, which reopened in 2007, but are at least on the ground floor. Staff will be on hand to assist passengers struggling with the new technology.
Eurostar passengers will receive information about where to check-in before arriving in St Pancras.
Yes. Bee North station18 new kiosks will be opened and the number of e-gates will increase from five to eleven.
In Brussels there will be ten e-gates and eight manual gates, instead of four.
Do you have to undergo a biometric check before every trip?
Yes. Although your data will be retained for three years, passengers will be required to have their faces scanned and fingerprinted every time they travel.
Can this last longer than now?
Potential – especially until passengers get used to the new system. Eurostar says its models predict no difference in overall check-in time.
It promises “zero seconds wasted on departure” and that EES procedures will be “seamlessly” integrated into existing check-in times.
But passengers will have to go through a six-stage process – logging in at the check-in kiosk, walking to the Eurostar main area, going through security, leaving the UK border, crossing the French border and boarding their train – all within the borders of the station.
Eurostar says that where a substantial number of passengers are delayed under current arrangements, it will try to delay the train. This could happen again.
Last summer, passengers took up to two hours to travel through the station at peak times – and that was under the current system.
How long will it take to “cross the border” at French border control?
Eurostar says it will be faster – around 30 seconds compared to around 50 seconds now. It will create a “staggered border” within the station, with more checkpoints separated by glass walls.
Passengers will first have to “leave” Britain – via the British border at one of six counters. A key question will be how well the French government staffs its border controls. At Folkestone there are about a dozen drive-through gates, but not all of them are in use at all times.
What happens if the system fails?
French border officials will have to find out, but it is likely that fewer checks will be allowed temporarily. Precautions such as “EES lite” have been discussed.
Children under the age of 12 cannot use e-gates. They still have to check in at the kiosk, but are not required to provide fingerprints. They will then have to use the manual gates at the border, with their parents or accompanying adults doing the same.
What about the restrictions on taking liquids on the train?
Eurostar does not have a 100ml limit that limits what passengers can take on board an aircraft as hand luggage. This fixes one issue at the security checkpoint.
Will passengers flying to the EU also undergo EES checks?
Yes, but this will happen at the airport of arrival, not on “British soil”.
How much does it cost to get EES approved?
Nothing – the system is free.
Isn't there an app for this?
Yes – one is being tested in Sweden. But it is not expected to be rolled out on a larger scale until 2025.