What is SmartCheck?

SmartCheck is a clever facial verification system at St Pancras International, open to Eurostar Premier passengers and Carte Blanche and Étoile Club Eurostar members. It checks tickets and shares passport data with UK Border Force and is available to use until 12 February 2025.

From 13 February 2025, SmartCheck will no longer be available. The SmartCheck lane will become an extra priority lane for Eurostar Premier passengers and Carte Blanche and Étoile Club Eurostar members who will have access to additional passport control booths and ePassport gates via a dedicated route.

Why are we removing SmartCheck?

We’re removing SmartCheck as we continue to make some changes at the station in preparation for the launch of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES). As part of these preparations, we’re improving our border control area with new ePassport gates and extra passport control booths. This will help us ensure the border control process is as smooth as possible for passengers travelling in the coming months and after EES has launched.

Where can I use SmartCheck?

You can use SmartCheck at St Pancras International. There will be a dedicated lane next to the Eurostar Premier entrance.

How do I use SmartCheck?

You need to download the SmartCheck enroller app iProov.me (by our partners iProov) from your app store. Then, follow the steps to verify your identity and link up your ticket. You’ll need to have your passport at hand. This can be done before arriving at the station to make your trip a little bit easier.

What do I do when I get to the station?

Go to the Eurostar Premier entrance and find the dedicated SmartCheck lane. You should remove anything covering your face, such as glasses. Walk in front of the screen at a normal speed and the system will detect your face. The screen will let you know if you need to stop and seek assistance. Otherwise, you can keep walking towards the automatic doors.

What if the screen asks me to seek assistance?

If your face isn’t recognised or your ticket isn’t read, you’ll need to get a member of staff to check your ticket manually. You may also have to go through UK passport checks manually.

Do I still need my passport?

Yes. You’ll need to show your passport to the French border officers.

What do I do if I need technical support?

If you’re experiencing problems with the app, check out our help page. If you can’t use the app at the station, you’ll need to use the ticket gates and go through passport control as normal.

How is my data protected?

All of your data is processed and held with the concept of data protection by design and the UK/EU GDPR in mind. At the point of setting up SmartCheck on the app, once verified, all your information will be stored securely on your smartphone. It will only be shared with the ticket gate and passport control systems when you choose to do so, at or before the time of travel. It will then be stored for a maximum of 48 hours and deleted from our systems after you have travelled. Your data is encrypted throughout the SmartCheck process.

If I change my booking, do I need to do anything?

If you have uploaded your old ticket details on the SmartCheck enroller app iProov.me (by our partners iProov), you will need to upload your updated ticket.

I am travelling several times this month. Can SmartCheck hold several tickets?

Yes, it can. You can upload all your tickets into the SmartCheck enroller app iProov.me (by our partners iProov).

What if I’ve registered for SmartCheck but decide not to use it?

You can download the SmartCheck enroller app iProov.me (by our partners iProov) but choose not to use it. You will need to get your ticket checked at the gates or by a member of staff.

I’ve registered my ticket with SmartCheck, but I’ve since cancelled my journey. Do I need to cancel my ticket in the app?

You can, but you don’t have to. If you cancel your journey via Manage your booking or the Eurostar app, then you don’t need to do anything in the SmartCheck enroller app iProov.me (by our partners iProov).

My phone has been stolen. Will someone else be able to travel using my information in the app?

If your phone was stolen before you pressed ‘Ready to Travel’, then your information is encrypted and secure on your locked phone, so no one else can use it. If your phone was stolen after you pressed ‘Ready to Travel’, then your details will have been sent to the station and only your face would be verified by SmartCheck.