Starting from 12 October 2025, Eurostar passengers traveling to Europe will be required to answer four key questions before departure, including whether they have travel insurance, according to reports.
The other questions will inquire whether passengers have booked an overnight stay, if they hold a return ticket, and whether they have sufficient funds to cover their trip expenses.
These questions will be asked at new kiosks installed as part of the EU’s delayed Entry/Exit System (EES), which is being rolled out across the Schengen Area. The rollout begins on 12 October and includes the Eurostar terminal at London’s St Pancras International.
The Schengen Area covers most EU countries, excluding Ireland and Cyprus, and also includes Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
The EES Rollout
The EES will be phased in over six months, with certain passengers at specific entry points required to register at the new booths starting 12 October. However, a report in The Independent clarifies that only passengers at Eurostar’s London St Pancras terminal will be asked about their travel insurance status.
While the EU generally does not require travelers from non-EU countries, including the UK, to have travel insurance to enter the Schengen Area, the French authorities have made it a requirement. Until now, passengers have rarely been asked to show proof of coverage.
The report also indicates that passengers traveling to Brussels and Amsterdam will be asked the same question, as they will enter the EU through France.
Clarification on the Question
A Eurostar spokesperson clarified that travelers will be asked about travel insurance, not specifically medical insurance. They also noted that the English translations of the questions are provisional and are set to be reviewed and updated by the French Ministry of the Interior.
Impact on Eurostar Passengers
Eurostar has introduced 49 new booths at St Pancras, initially to be used for processing business and premium passengers. This additional procedure is expected to add about 10 minutes to the check-in time, meaning passengers should plan to arrive 75 minutes before their departure.
Passengers will be notified 30 days in advance, either via the Eurostar app or their train ticket, which kiosk area to use.
It is also noted that Eurostar does not own the booths, as they are the property of the Ministry of the Interior.
Eurotunnel Passengers Not Affected
Motorists using the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle from Folkestone to Calais will not be required to answer these questions. Passengers traveling through the Channel Tunnel will continue to be processed manually, as this route is not part of the EES registration system.
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