The UK government announced it will spend £10.5 million ($13.9 million) to assist ports in preparing for the European Union’s post-Brexit security checks on UK citizens entering the bloc. These measures aim to mitigate the risk of queuing and disruption.
The EU is set to introduce a digital border system known as the Entry/Exit System (EES) this autumn, replacing manual passport checks with biometric authentication. Under the new rules, travelers from the UK and other non-EU countries will need to register at the border, including having their faces scanned and fingerprints taken. This process will create a digital record linking a travel document to a person’s identity.
Earlier this year, the new Labour government in the UK expressed concern about the country’s unpreparedness for the new checks and warned of potential disruptions. The funding will help ports implement the necessary technology, including installing kiosks and recruiting and training staff to handle the new procedures.
The government has emphasized its commitment to collaborating with the European Commission, member states, and ports to ensure a smooth transition and minimize disruption for UK citizens traveling to Europe.
The Port of Dover, the Eurotunnel at Folkestone, and the Eurostar at St Pancras station in London will each receive £3.5 million to facilitate the changes.
It’s important to note that the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016 and officially exited the bloc on January 31, 2020. The country remained within the European single market until 2021.
