Travel experts have given an update on half-term holidays as new EU rules that will create queues at the borders are set to come into force. Concerns have been raised over the potential for long queues at these sites after the EU implements its Entry/Exit System (EES), which is planned for November 10 after years of delays.

Travellers from non-EU countries such as the UK will need to have their fingerprints scanned and a photograph taken to register them on a database the first time they enter a member state, with the data stored for three years. UK ports will receive £10.5 million of new Government funding to prepare for enhanced European Union (EU) border checks, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.

The money will be used to support new facilities and technology at the Port of Dover, the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone and London’s St Pancras station for Eurostar services. These are the three UK locations where French border checks are carried out before people embark on cross-Channel journeys.

A spokesman for Discover Ferries, the UK industry body for ferry travel, said: “The ferry sector welcomes the news that the UK Government is working with EU partners to ensure the smooth roll-out of the new EU Entry / Exit System (EU EES). Funding infrastructure developments at Port of Dover shows real support for the travel industry and the potential to waive biometric registration during busy periods will help alleviate disruption during a ‘soft launch’ period.

“With target launch date announced as 10 November 2024, we’d like to reassure passengers that the EU EES will not affect travel now or during the half term holidays and that passengers will be able to travel via UK ferry ports to France, Spain and the Netherlands, as usual.

“When the EES is introduced later this year, biometric data including fingerprints and facial scans will be collected for all British and non-EU travellers to Europe’s Schengen zone when crossing the border at ports, train stations and airports. Ireland is part of the Common Travel Area and won’t be affected by the EU EES and citizens of the UK and Ireland can continue to travel freely between both countries.

“We can reassure passengers that the Port of Dover is already developing infrastructure to facilitate EU EES, including the expansion of the French border processing area at the port’s Western Docks and the hiring of additional staff to help passengers with the new requirements. These measures will ease potential disruption and give the British public more confidence to travel.”

The DfT said new funding will “reduce the risk of queuing and disruption”, with the three UK sites receiving £3.5 million each. Migration minister Seema Malhotra said: “While EES checks will be a significant change to the EU border, we are working hard with the European Commission, member states and ports to ensure we are well prepared, and minimise any disruption for Brits travelling into Europe.

“This additional funding for ports will ensure they have the right technology and processes in place, so that EES registration can take place as smoothly as possible.” Future of roads minister Lilian Greenwood said: “Nobody wants to see excessive queues at our ports, which is why we’re providing this funding to ensure our borders are as prepared as possible for the upcoming change – despite EES being an EU initiative.

“Since coming into Government, we have been reviewing plans and closely supporting ports to make sure they have the right processes in place so that EES registration can be smooth and queue times kept to a minimum.” The Port of Dover will use the funding to expedite work on its project to infill a marina for use as a site for EES processing.

Chief operations officer Emma Ward said: “We are doing all that we can to be ready with the facilities that will be used by French border officials operating the new system.” Eurostar chief safety and stations officer Simon Lejeune said: “With support from the Government, we have enhanced our facilities and upgraded our technology to meet the new requirements.

“Eurostar will be fully prepared and compliant by November, ensuring a smooth transition for all our passengers.” Yann Leriche, chief executive of Eurotunnel owner Getlink, said: ““The Group has invested more than £70 million since the beginning of the process, designing and building a new dedicated EES zone on each terminal, making sure that when the new regulation is introduced people will travel through the Channel Tunnel just as easily as they do today.”

The funding is a combination of £9 million from the DfT and £1.5 million from the Home Office.