Starting October 6, 2024, Eurostar passengers travelling between the UK and the EU will undergo a five-step biometric check-in process, including passport, facial image, and fingerprint registration, raising concerns about potential delays and changes to travel norms.
Starting October 6, 2024, Eurostar passengers traveling from the UK to the EU will face new biometric entry requirements under the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). Departing from London’s St Pancras, travelers will need to use electronic kiosks to register their passports, facial images, and fingerprints, and answer questions about their trip. The new process involves a five-step check-in, requiring two sets of fingerprints and mugshots, and has raised concerns about potential delays and the end of “turn up and go” travel.
Simon Lejeune, Eurostar’s chief stations and security officer, addressed these concerns, affirming that the company has measures in place to prevent operational issues, assuring passengers they will not need to arrive earlier than the current advised times. Eurostar is investing €10 million in upgrading its facilities at St Pancras to streamline the process, doubling the number of check-in kiosks to 49 and increasing the number of e-gates and manual booths for smoother border crossing.
Once a passenger is initially registered, future travels within three years will not require re-scanning fingerprints, although other checks will still be necessary. Changes are also being implemented at Eurostar terminals in Paris’ Gare du Nord and Brussels to accommodate the new system.