EES Border Checks: What UK Drivers Need to Know

The UK government is actively working with European Union officials to make sure that the new Entry/Exit System border checks cause as little disruption as possible for people travelling to Europe this summer and into the autumn.

The Entry/Exit System, known as EES, is a new EU scheme that will require travellers from non-EU countries, including the UK, to have their fingerprints and photographs taken at the border the first time they cross into the EU. Once registered, subsequent crossings should be quicker, but the initial registration process is expected to add time to border procedures, particularly at busy crossing points such as Dover and the Channel Tunnel.

The Department for Transport has confirmed that the Transport Secretary has been speaking directly with the relevant EU commissioner specifically to address concerns about delays during the busy summer holiday period. The focus of those discussions is making the process as seamless as possible, both for the peak summer rush and as the system settles in through autumn.

If you are driving to Europe this year, the practical advice is to allow considerably more time than usual for your crossing, especially in the school holiday weeks when demand is highest. Booking the earliest possible departure slot in the day and arriving at check-in well ahead of the minimum requirement could make a real difference. It is also worth monitoring updates from the port or tunnel operator you are using in the weeks before you travel, as arrangements may change as the system rolls out.

For everything else you need to keep your car in good shape before a long European drive, from service checks to tyre and fluid advice, Garage.co.uk covers the practical side of getting your vehicle holiday-ready.