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The start date for the EES digital borders procedures for people using Eurotunnel by car is still unknown with the go-ahead awaited from the French authorities.

Prior to the system’s launch on October 12, Eurotunnel parent company Getlink said it would begin with freight and coach traffic on that date and passenger vehicles would follow “a few weeks later, with the exact start date to be confirmed shortly by the French authorities�.

Almost four weeks later, the firm reports that “discussions with the French authorities are ongoing�.

A spokeswoman said: “For passenger vehicles the timing of the EES launch is determined by the authorities.

“The EU framework provides flexibility, allowing the French authorities to choose the most appropriate date for managing passenger traffic.�

Those affected by the EES process are non-EU/non-EEA/non-Swiss travellers who do not live in a country of the Schengen area such as France.

Getlink reports that the system, which is operated by the French border police at Folkestone and Calais, “is running smoothly, quickly and efficiently for our lorry drivers and coach passengers�.

The French government was among several EU governments that reported not being ready for EES by a previous planned start date on November 10, 2024. 

However, it was hoped the new phased-start process, approved by the EU in summer 2025, would help ease the system in without technical hitches or excessive waiting times for travellers.

The uncertainty comes as the Port of Dover also confirmed on Monday November 3 that the rollout to those travelling by car was on hold despite previous statements that November 1 was the planned start date for cars.

The port stated: "Whilst Port of Dover’s facilities will be ready for November 1, we are being guided by French authorities as to when we will activate.�

They also said they had asked for “two weeks notice� once the exact date is given, implying that the start for cars was not imminent.

An autumn launch for EES is thought partly to have been chosen to avoid teething problems during the busy end-of-year holiday period, however, the longer the rollout to cars is delayed, the closer the period comes.

The EU’s ‘phased start’ rules also do not permit putting off ramping up the use of EES indefinitely, requiring use of the system to gradually increase to full operation over six months (by April 10, 2026).

The rules state, among other points, that at least 10% of all relevant border crossings must be being logged by mid-November and 35% of crossings by mid-January (and half or more French border crossing points must be operating EES by then).

The rules also allow for just a two-month period (until mid-December) when border points may operate EES without taking ‘biometrics’ (facial images and fingerprints) if they prefer.

However, the rules do permit that during the six-month phase-in, certain border points may fully or partially suspend use of EES, in exceptional circumstances, such as where its use will cause very high waiting times due to unusual traffic intensity.