Eurostar to begin voluntary EES checks in October before main January launch

"Eurostar has confirmed that it will begin its rollout of the EU's new biometric border checks on October 12th, but only for certain passengers and on a voluntary basis. The big launch will come in 2026. A spokesperson for Eurostar told The Local that the EES (Entry/Exit system) will begin at London St. Pancras International station, Paris Gare du Nord, as well as in Lille and Brussels from October 12th, in line with the EU's phased introduction."

"However not all passengers will be required to carry out the EES checks - which include taking facial scans and fingerprints - from that date. Only premier and "carte blanche" customers will be included and the checks won't be mandatory to begin with. Eurostar told The Local that Premier and Carte Blanche club members (Carte Blanche is reserved for frequent Eurostar travellers) will be asked if they want to go through the EES checks when they arrive at the station. It won't be until January 12th that Eurostar enforces the EES border checks for all passengers."

"The new EU border system will represent a major change for travellers to the Schengen area. First-time visitors non-EU visitors will have to provide biometric details, including fingerprints and a facial scan, complete a short questionnaire and scan their passports. Once non-EU travellers are registered then only minor EES checks will be required the next time they pass through a EU/Schengen external border."

The EES rollout will start on October 12 at London St. Pancras, Paris Gare du Nord, Lille and Brussels as part of the EU's phased introduction. Initial checks will be voluntary and limited to Premier and Carte Blanche passengers, with staff asking those members if they wish to use the system. Full enforcement for all Eurostar passengers begins on January 12. Non-EU first-time visitors will submit fingerprints, a facial scan, a short questionnaire and passport scans; data will be stored for three years and used to track entries and exits to enforce the 90/180-day rule. Legal residents and long-stay visa holders are exempt; short-stay visa holders must register.

Read at www.thelocal.fr