Transport Secretary engages with EU Commissioner on EES border checks ahead of summer holidays

by London-TV in Business

The Transport Secretary has today (Monday 13th July) spoken with the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism about supporting holidaymakers through the EU’s enhanced security checks, during the summer holidays.

During a productive meeting, Heidi Alexander and EU commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas discussed the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). The Transport Secretary raised concerns over travellers looking to getaway and the two counterparts agreed to work together constructively to ensure travel across the border is as seamless as possible in the summer and through the autumn.

The meeting comes after the government announced £20m of funding to increase the number of booths for passport checks at Port of Dover, on top of £10.5m already invested at Dover, Eurotunnel and Eurostar to prevent disruption. This £20 million in support will also help increase capacity for processing vehicles, reducing wait times and easing congestion in future years.

Industry partners have also, this morning, welcomed the Transport Secretary’s engagement, support and personal interest in their work to prepare for the peak period. Doug Bannister, CEO at the Port of Dover, said he was “really grateful for all the support” from government.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:

“We want everyone to have the summer holidays they deserve – and today’s meeting shows everyone is pulling in the same direction.

“I was reassured that the EU commissioner for transport understood the concerns of holidaymakers and recognised the need for us to work together to make sure journeys are as seamless as possible during the busiest travel period of the year.”

EES – a requirement for all non-EU passengers entering and exiting Schengen countries – was first introduced in phases in October 2025. Since April, passengers should be registered at the border by scanning their passport, plus having their photo and fingerprints taken.

The majority of these checks will be done in EU Member States but take place in the UK for those using the ferry through the Port of Dover or taking the train into the EU and has been put in place to boost border security.