Anyone done EES on a Brittany ferry yet?

Lambeth Cali · Mar 21, 2026

Has anyone experienced this yet on a ferry crossing?
I thought I read somewhere that Brittany ferries were doing it before departure so not when you get off the boat.

A bit like the passport control on uk side for channel tunnel. This seems a good idea while you’re waiting to board.

colintfcolintf · Mar 21, 2026

Not yet, but will in September

BeachBound · Mar 21, 2026

Lambeth Cali said:
Has anyone experienced this yet on a ferry crossing?

Nope, but we'll be heading out in less than a week, so it would be good to know what to expect!

Here's what Brittany Ferries have on their website:

From 12 October, most passengers departing the ship will proceed straight to border control booths as usual. One in ten of these will be subject to biometric controls. This will be upscaled gradually in the following six months.
Agents with iPads will choose vehicles in lanes for the most significant change: logging biometric data (which means taking a photo and fingerprints). These will checked with the person presenting at the border on EU entry and exit
Those travelling on foot or in groups may be asked to pass via kiosks in the ferry terminal before boarding. Here they can pre-register before proceeding to a border control point

I'd definitely be interested to know how much they've managed to 'upscale' these processes since October. It could be a nice addition to our customary security check.

Lambeth Cali · Mar 22, 2026

@BeachBound
I’m pretty certain that was the trial. As of now I think 100% have to do it. It often takes an hour+ to get off in Santander. This could easily take 3+hrs.

BeachBound · Mar 22, 2026

Lambeth Cali said:
@BeachBound
I’m pretty certain that was the trial. As of now I think 100% have to do it. It often takes an hour+ to get off in Santander. This could easily take 3+hrs.

I've been sat in a queue for more than an hour in Santander before. Not fun in the summer heat. It would be great if an even longer wait tcould be avoided.

I've not found any info on checks at Portsmouth or Plymouth. I'd assume that's not possible without a juxtaposition deal with France in place (similar to the one they have over in Dover) as described in this article from 2024:

Third council in biometrics warning

A third council has warned it faces potential fallout from new entry checks at UK borders earmarked for October. Portsmouth City Council, which owns the international...

www.themj.co.uk

It seems as though the trial aims to ramp up to 100% of passengers checked by the end of the month, but they do have wiggle room to suspend checking if the queues get too extreme.

It's already 5h30 without stopping for us to get to Portsmouth so I'm not sure I want to be having the checks on the English side either. The joys.

Lambeth Cali · Mar 22, 2026

I don’t think it’s reciprocal as UK not collecting biometric stuff.

BeachBound · Mar 29, 2026

Traveled from Portsmouth to St Malo yesterday in the Cali with six of us. Didn't have to do any EES (only the usual passport check), but an announcement on the ferry as we were landing seemed to imply it was being done with foot passengers.

Lambeth Cali · Apr 16, 2026

Anyone done this yet? This week??

Lambeth Cali · Apr 16, 2026

Just read that Europe has 6 weeks of jet fuel left.
What do ferries run on!? I’m wondering if we’re going to Spain this summer after all!? How much diesel will there be in Spain and how much will it cost??

Daveb999 · Apr 19, 2026

I went through Santander port today (from Portsmouth). I was lucky and was off pretty quickly. People were being chosen at random for the checks. I had to do it, everyone in van out, face check then both hands for fingerprints. They had roughly 20 booths open.

I got through very quickly which was great but I can see it impacting times a lot if off the ferry further back as it takes much longer than the older system.

Daveb999 · Apr 19, 2026

Lambeth Cali said:
Just read that Europe has 6 weeks of jet fuel left.
What do ferries run on!? I’m wondering if we’re going to Spain this summer after all!? How much diesel will there be in Spain and how much will it cost??

Filled the Cali up from almost empty for £78 in Santander.

chockswahay · Apr 19, 2026

Lambeth Cali said:
Just read that Europe has 6 weeks of jet fuel left.
What do ferries run on!? I’m wondering if we’re going to Spain this summer after all!? How much diesel will there be in Spain and how much will it cost??

Ferries run on red diesel

Lambeth Cali · Apr 20, 2026

Daveb999 said:
I went through Santander port today (from Portsmouth). I was lucky and was off pretty quickly. People were being chosen at random for the checks. I had to do it, everyone in van out, face check then both hands for fingerprints. They had roughly 20 booths open.

I got through very quickly which was great but I can see it impacting times a lot if off the ferry further back as it takes much longer than the older system.

Thanks Dave. That’s very helpful

Lambeth Cali · Apr 20, 2026

chockswahay said:
Ferries run on red diesel

And airships run on helium but it all apparently comes via the Strait of Hormuz!!
I hope you’re right and they’re not impacted.

CaliforniaCylus · Apr 20, 2026

chockswahay said:
Ferries run on red diesel

Many of the BF boats are LNG

chockswahay · Apr 20, 2026

CaliforniaCylus said:
Many of the BF boats are LNG

Two to be precise

CaliforniaCylus · Apr 20, 2026

chockswahay said:
Two to be precise

At least four. Santona Salamanca St Malo and 1 other

chockswahay · Apr 21, 2026

CaliforniaCylus said:
At least four. Santona Salamanca St Malo and 1 other

I stand corrected, you are right. A quick look on Gemini confirms 4 including hybrid and 10 using diesel

Lambeth Cali · Apr 21, 2026

Is any of them the Pont Aven?

Barbara · Apr 21, 2026

Lambeth Cali said:
Just read that Europe has 6 weeks of jet fuel left.
What do ferries run on!? I’m wondering if we’re going to Spain this summer after all!? How much diesel will there be in Spain and how much will it cost??

try this site