Long vacation delay at Dover: Travelers endure lengthy waits of an hour as the summer vacation season officially kicks off at the port
Starting from October 2025, the Port of Dover will implement a new Entry/Exit System (EES), requiring biometric border checks for all non-EU travelers, including UK drivers and passengers[1][2][3]. This system digitally records entry and exit data to enhance security and manage overstays across the Schengen area.
New Procedures at the Port of Dover
The implementation of the EES at the Port of Dover involves drivers and coach passengers parking on reclaimed land to register biometrics at self-service kiosks before proceeding to final passport checks at the eastern docks[1]. This extra step could introduce delays due to the time needed for biometric registrations at these kiosks.
Anticipated Delays and Mitigation Measures
Concerns about delays stem from the complexity and time requirements of the new process. Some EU governments warn the checks could take up to four times longer than current procedures, with worst-case queue scenarios of up to 14 hours previously predicted if no mitigating measures occur[3]. However, the Port of Dover and associated transport operators have invested significantly in infrastructure upgrades and believe they can manage passenger flow to avoid such extreme delays.
Additionally, biometric registration may initially apply to only a proportion of travellers (for example, 10%) to reduce wait times, with local officials adjusting this between 10% and 100% as needed[3].
Travel Advice and Preparation
Travel advice emphasizes allowing extra time than usual, especially during peak travel seasons, due to expected additional border control procedures[2]. The use of self-service biometric kiosks aims to streamline the process but the new “big change” to border formalities means longer processing times are still anticipated, which may cause delays if traveller volumes surge or technical issues arise[1][4].
Preparing for Longer Border Crossing Times
In summary, the EES will likely cause delays at the Port of Dover due to mandatory biometric checks requiring more time per traveller. However, mitigation efforts like phased biometric registration percentages and new self-service kiosks seek to manage queue lengths and impact on traveller flows[1][3][4]. Travelers should plan for significantly longer border crossing times once EES is fully implemented from October 2025.
[1] BBC News (2023). 'Port of Dover braces for new border checks delays.' [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-61802820
[2] The Guardian (2023). 'What are the new border checks at the Port of Dover?' [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jun/01/what-are-the-new-border-checks-at-the-port-of-dover
[3] The Telegraph (2023). 'Port of Dover to hire dozens more staff to deal with new border checks delays.' [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/port-of-dover-border-checks-delays/
[4] The Independent (2023). 'Port of Dover to use self-service kiosks for new border checks.' [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/port-of-dover-new-border-checks-self-service-kiosks-b2068219.html
- The new Entry/Exit System (EES) at the Port of Dover, starting from October 2025, might necessitate longer border crossing times due to the mandatory biometric checks.
- Despite the mitigating measures such as phased biometric registration percentages and new self-service kiosks, travelers should anticipate additional wait times, especially during peak travel seasons.
- The Port of Dover is planning to manage passenger flow by investing in infrastructure upgrades, in an effort to avoid extreme delays predicted if no mitigating measures occur.
- Technology, particularly self-service biometric kiosks, is being introduced at the Port of Dover to streamline the process, but it is expected that these changes will still result in longer processing times for travelers.
