Readers’ experiences of the EU’s new EES border checks vary depending on where in France they are travelling to and from – as you can see below. Help us build a picture of any problem airports or places where queues are minimal. Share your experience in the comments section.
In recent weeks France has stepped up its rollout of the EU’s new EES biometric border checks. These are new border checks that non-EU/Schengen visitors must go through when they enter or leave an EU or Schengen country. They involve giving facial and finger print scans and replace manual passport stamping.
Non-EU nationals who are resident in France or other Schengen countries are not subject to the checks, however many readers have testified to the fact that residents are still likely to get caught up in the queues.
The checks are far from being fully implemented in France, even if the EU had planned for them to be fully operational by April 2026.
As The Local previously reported, EES has been delayed for passengers arriving in France by Eurostar, Eurotunnel and ferry due to a technology issue. There have also been delays rolling out the EES kiosks at certain airports like CDG in Paris. So many travellers may not have noticed any real difference but problems appear to be growing. We reported earlier in May how queues at certain airports were growing longer due to the queues.
We are asking readers to help build a picture of what’s happening on the ground at ports and airports around France. Experiences seem to vary depending on where people travel to and from and the time or day of travel.
Please help other readers by sharing your own experiences in the comments below. We are especially interested in the experience of non-EU residents in France who have to show their carte de séjour.
Bergerac airport
One reader named Ryetee had a positive experience at Dordogne Périgord airport in Bergerac. She said:
“Hats off then to the border team at little Bergerac airport. On the way out last week, the officer asked me immediately. He saw my UK passport, [asked] whether I had a Carte de Séjour and smilingly informed me that, now, I needed to show it on outward journeys too, before wishing me a pleasant trip.
“Three days later on my return they had three desks open one of which was clearly labelled for European residents, despite which some passengers, who did not qualify, tried to use that lane.
“The officer concerned politely explained that they did not qualify but helpfully then proceeded with their EES registration which noticeably slowed down that lane. The woman who obviously was the officer in charge at that time spotted this, spoke to the officer at the counter and then walked down the queue for that counter redirecting non-qualifying passengers to their correct queue.
“Problem sorted and European residents whisked through without added delay.”
Marseille airport
Although Marseille has reportedly had issues with some flights, one reader named Christopher who is a resident in France, reported a positive experience. He said:
“I flew out of Marseille to Manchester and back late April.
“At French passport control there were separate queues for EU and non-EU passports and no problems.
“When I showed my Carte de Séjour with my UK passport I was waved through. On my return, the passport officer said “Welcome back”, which was a nice touch.”
Another reader named Leon also travelled through Marseille. He said: “I flew back to Marseille. When my plane arrived they were doing the EES checks and fingerprints. I have a carte de séjour and had to use the same call as non-EU residents. But it was fine and only slightly longer than usual.”
Dieppe port
A reader named Dick reported a smooth journey at the Channel port of Dieppe in Normandy. He said:
“We travelled from Newhaven to Dieppe on April 12th as foot passengers. The biometric data was taken after we landed (a pity they couldn’t do it on the boat) There was a delay but not significant and we still got the scheduled bus to the station. On the return 4 days later our biometrics were checked. Once again, no significant delays. I have no idea what happened to vehicle users but as I’m going out again by motorbike next week I guess I’ll find out. Watch this space…”
Ouistreham port in Normandy
Dominica wasn’t happy about her experience travelling through the Channel port of Ouistreham. She said:
“Something really needs to be done at the ferry ports. Ouistreham has no lane for French nationals, so we all have to queue with everyone else. It takes hours. There are also no lanes for those travelling with pets whose check-in time is very much longer than those of us with no pets. Extremely frustrating.”
Bordeaux airport
Experiences at Bordeaux airport appear to be mixed.
“Bordeaux airport is the worst – chaos since the start of this system,” said one traveller, whilst others have posted pictures of long queues.
But one reader named Meg told us: “Flying out of Bordeaux in the evening on Friday 10th was surprisingly smooth (as was coming back on Sunday evening). I’d been worried about delays, but the EES checks all seemed to go smoothly, queues moved well, and the border officers knew that EES didn’t apply to people with a resident’s card.”
TELL US your own experience in the comments section below, with details about where and when you travelled to and from in France. Thanks to all readers who have left comments.
