EU entry-exit questions lifted for Eurostar passengers due to fears of long delays

Days after the launch of the EU entry-exit system (EES), controversial questions asked to departing passengers London St Pancras International But eurostar Trains have been removed.

Under the digital border scheme, “third country nationals” such as the British traveling to the EU and the wider Schengen area are photographed and fingerprinted at the border. In the case of Eurostar, as well as the Folkestone and Lechtal car-carrier operations port of doverThe formalities take place while on British soil.

Forty-nine entry-exit system kiosks have been installed at St Pancras station for passengers to enter their details. in the beginning They were programmed to ask four “acceptance” questionsThe passenger is expected to:

The first two are “Schengen questions” which apply to all potential third country nationals. But the other two are specific conditions imposed by France. Although the rules are not new, they have largely been dormant for years.

Eurostar passengers who answered truthfully that they did not meet these conditions – for example that they were planning to book a room once in France, or that they were relying on a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) – could then be questioned more closely by border police.

There were concerns that long delays could soon occur, and some passengers could be turned away.

But a top official at the Channel Tunnel train operator has revealed that French authorities have caved in to pressure and agreed to sidestep questions during the roll-out.

Eurostar chief station and security officer Simon Lejeune told the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee: “We know those questions have caused significant confusion, particularly within the kiosk process.

“We are very pleased that, through discussions with the French Ministry and our partners, it has been agreed that those questions can be technically removed from the kiosks during the initial six-month introduction phase of the new system.”

Mr Lejeune described the French interpretation and implementation of Schengen requirements as “quite strict”.

He said: “A sense of pragmatism is returning. Inquiries are becoming less systematic and more targeted, which is a positive development.”

Currently only a few passengers are being screened for entry-exit system formalities at London St Pancras International Paris Gare du Nord. They are not using kiosks, but are being assessed by individual officers who have fingerprint panels and cameras installed at their work stations.

Mr Lejeune said: “I was observing a transaction time of 50 seconds. This is for full biometrics as well as passport checking and stamping for EES-eligible passengers.

“Very exciting, and this is without the kiosks that do pre-registration, which we will be rolling out in the next few weeks.”

French questions also apply to passengers boarding trains to Brussels and Amsterdam that do not stop in France.

The Port of Dover has confirmed that questions to passengers have also been removed until at least April 2026 as part of the EES process.

No “Schengen questions” are being asked Eurotunnel Terminal in Folkestone.

The Border Protection and Asylum Minister has said there are no plans to introduce fingerprinting for routine arrivals to the UK.

Alex Norris told The Independent’s Daily Travel Podcast: “We are confident in our system and do not anticipate major changes.”

Listen to the latest podcast on the entry-exit system, featuring the UK Border Minister