Navigating the EES: What Every Motorcyclist Needs to Know

What is the EES?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a digital border-control system being introduced by the European Commission (EC) for short-stay travellers from non-EU countries (including the UK) entering the Schengen Area.

Key Features:

• For third-country nationals (i.e., non-EU citizens) entering or exiting the Schengen border, the system will record biometric data (fingerprints + facial image) and travel-document details.

• Once fully in place, it will replace the older manual passport-stamp system for many travellers.

• The rollout is phased: the service begins on 12 October 2025 and continues until full deployment in all relevant border crossings by around April 2026.

  
  

How Will EES Affect Motorbikes Crossing to Europe?

What Applies to You as a Rider

If you’re a UK-based rider travelling to the continent (for example via a ferry to France, Belgium, Spain, or through Le Shuttle), then you’ll likely fall into the group of non-EU nationals for EES purposes. That means:

• On your first crossing where EES is operational, you may need to undergo biometric registration (passport scan, photo, fingerprints) at a kiosk or border-control facility.

• After the first registration, for subsequent crossings, your checks may be simpler (e.g., just passport scan + facial image) as your biometric record is stored.

• This means for bikers that inevitably, it'll be helmet off (and maybe gloves as well).

• Because the system is being introduced in phases, requirements and how/when you are asked to register will vary by location (ferry port vs tunnel vs airport) and by type of traffic (coach, freight, cars initially) during the rollout.

  
  

Specifics at Ferry Ports and Le Shuttle

• At key UK-France crossings (such as the Port of Dover and the Le Shuttle terminal at Folkestone), EES facilities have been installed.

• For instance, at Dover from 12 October, coach and foot-passenger traffic are targeted first; car and general vehicle traffic are phased in later.

• While much of the current messaging refers to coaches/freight first, motorcyclists travelling via ferry or shuttle should treat their journey similarly to car/vehicle traffic: allow extra time, follow signage, and expect to leave your bike/vehicle for biometric check.

• At Le Shuttle, a similar phased rollout applies: freight & coaches first; “passenger vehicles” (cars, vans, bikes) will follow.

  
  

Thus, as a rider, you need to anticipate additional processing at the border crossing on your departure from the UK (via the juxtaposed controls) or on entry into the Schengen country. Juxtaposed controls are border controls where the foreign country completes passport control in the UK.

What You Should Do to Prepare

Here are some practical tips tailored for motorcyclists:

1. Allow Extra Time

• Because of the new system and potential teething issues, allow more time than usual at your departure port or terminal. For example, one operator is recommending up to three hours for coach traffic at Dover.

• Even though bikes have more agility than cars, you may still need to follow the vehicle queue and undergo the kiosk process.

  
  

2. Check Your Documentation

• Make sure your passport is valid, and you travel with the correct travel insurance/green card (where required) etc.

• If you hold an EU/EEA passport or are a resident of an EU/Schengen country, you may be exempt from EES checks.

• Children under 12, for example, will not have fingerprints taken—only a photo.

  
  

3. Follow the Signage and Instructions at the Port/Terminal

• At ferry ports and shuttle terminals, dedicated EES kiosks or facilities will be set up. At Dover, there is a “Western Docks” facility for EES processing.

• You may be asked to leave your bike and go to a registration kiosk before re-boarding or proceeding to the boarding area. So be ready to pause your journey for the check.

  
  

4. Stay Updated on Your Specific Route/Terminal

• Because rollout is phased, the exact requirements for your departure location may vary. Some terminals may only enforce EES for certain traffic at first.

• Check the ferry operator’s or tunnel operator’s website for updates on EES processing. They may issue route-specific advice for motorcyclists.

  
  

5. Think About Arrival/Exit on the European Side

• The check may happen on the UK side (for “juxtaposed” controls) or at the destination country’s border post. For example:

- For travellers using the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone… the process will take place at the border before they leave the UK.

- For travellers using Portsmouth port, the process will take place at Spanish border control. That means EES for motorbikes will be done at Bilbao or Santander.

- For travellers entering Spain from Morocco, the Spanish ports are meant to have systems in place by 10th April 2026.

- On arrival in a Schengen country, you may also need to present at an exit kiosk when returning, effectively signing yourself back out of Europe!

What’s Different for Motorcyclists vs Cars/Coaches?

• While many of the publicly detailed plans focus on coaches/freight or cars, the same system applies to all vehicle traffic, including motorcycles. Thus, you are not exempt just because you’re on a bike.

• The physical process might be slightly quicker for you (less luggage, fewer passengers), but you’ll still need to interact with the kiosk and border registration facility.

• Because bikes often arrive at ports in their own lane or areas, check whether the terminal has dedicated “motorcycle/2-wheeler” queueing signs. If not, treat it as part of the general vehicle traffic.

• If you are travelling with a pillion passenger, both of you will need to undergo the registration.

• Ensure your bike paperwork, licence, insurance etc. are also in order — although not part of EES, border checks may ask to see them.

  
  

What to Expect After the First Registration

• Once you’ve completed your biometric registration under EES, your data is valid for 3 years (or until your passport expires whichever comes first) for future crossings.

• On subsequent entries/exits, you may only need to scan your passport and provide a facial image (rather than a full fingerprint registration again) unless you change your document or haven’t travelled in a while.

• As the system ramps up (towards April 2026), you may find the queues shorten as the process becomes normalised, though delays may still occur at busy times.

  
  

Key Things for UK-to-Europe Ferry/Le Shuttle Trips

• The main departure points from the UK into Schengen (via France, Belgium, etc.) are juxtaposed controls: e.g., UK side border for French authorities. That means the check happens before you board.

• So you’ll undergo EES registration before departure, not on arrival in Europe (in many cases).

• For Le Shuttle (Folkestone ⇄ Calais) or ferry from Dover, follow the steps: arrive early → check in → proceed to EES kiosk/queue → biometric registration → reload your bike and board.

• Le Shuttle Folkestone has a new 'covered' EES area for passengers to register their passports. Currently (22/10/25), it's not open to cars and motorbikes, but this will happen at some point.

• Dover port has set up their EES in the Western Docks and are slowly rolling the process out. Edit 11/11/25: Dover has delayed its rollout to sometime in 2026 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1m3yzvepepo.amp

• If you’re travelling via a ferry to a non-France Schengen country (e.g., Belgium, Netherlands, Spain etc.), still assume EES may apply; check the operator. For example, Brittany Ferries note: “EES border controls apply from 12th October in France and 12th December in Spain”.

• That means Santander and Bilbao have until 12th December to switch their kiosks on. Who knows what the delays could be like?

• On your return from Europe to the UK, depending on the route, you may also pass through EES exit registration (or a UK equivalent) — check the operator’s guidance.

  
  

Final Thoughts for Motorcyclists

• The EES is a significant change to how border crossings work for non-EU nationals (including UK bikers).

• But with good preparation, it should not be a major obstacle. Provide extra time, follow the signs, and have your documentation ready.

• This first period (from 12th October 2025) is a ramp-up phase; not all traffic will be subject to full checks immediately, but you should act as though it might apply.

• Keep checking the website of your ferry or shuttle operator for the latest info on how the facility deals with motorcyclists.

• Once your first biometric registration is done, future crossings should be easier.

  
  

Is It a Good Idea?

• It'll bring tighter border security (it's not all about small boats), both ways.

• It'll bring consistency throughout all of Europe's borders.

• The downside is there will be initial delays and confusion, putting a damper on the first day of your holiday.

• Bikers are more awkward to process, having to remove helmets and gloves, but generally more patient.

• Data security. Your personal details are going to be kept in a European system and all systems are open to data breaches.

  
  

So, as we gear up for this new chapter in motorbike travel, remember: preparation is key. Embrace the adventure, and let’s hit the road!