France to Miss EES Deadline for Registering Travellers: News Digest 

France is set to miss the deadline for registering travellers in the EES system, while French lorry drivers are protesting over increasing fuel prices, and new residency changes for French citizens will take effect on April 1. Here are the headlines from French newspapers this week.

France to miss EES Deadline for Registering Travellers 

France is expected to miss the EU’s deadline to fully register all travellers under the new Entry/Exit System (EES) due to ongoing technical problems with equipment and software used to collect biometric data. The deadline, March 31, 2026, is part of a phased rollout ahead of full system operation from April 10, when passport stamping is due to end.

However, issues such as malfunctioning pre-registration kiosks, difficulties linking national systems to EU databases, and concerns about long border queues have slowed progress. Similar delays are being seen elsewhere in Europe, and authorities are considering more flexible timelines to cope, introducing partial suspensions of the EES system in busier periods while fixes are implemented.

French Lorry Drivers to Protest Against Fuel Costs This Week

Lorry drivers across France are staging nationwide protests this week, which will cause major disruption on motorways and in cities. The protesters are demanding greater government support to offset rising fuel costs, triggered by the conflict in Iran. Action began over the weekend with blockades on key routes such as the A7 near Lyon and the A71/A89 around Clermont-Ferrand, instigating a “go-slow” (snail) operation in Paris, clogging the surrounding ring road. 

Further disruption is expected in multiple regions, including Pays-de-la-Loire, Occitanie, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, with blockades of major roads and access points to public buildings. The protests follow a breakdown in negotiations with the government, whose proposed fuel discount has been widely criticised by industry leaders as insufficient.

April Changes for French Residents

From 1 April 2026, several changes take effect in France affecting energy costs, benefits, and healthcare communications. Gas prices will fall slightly, by about 0.7%, reducing costs for both heating and cooking. At the same time, the annual chèque énergie scheme opens the same day, with eligible households beginning to receive vouchers worth up to €277 between April 1 – 20 to help pay energy bills. In healthcare, the state system (Assurance Maladie) will introduce a new, clearer email format to make official messages easier to recognise and navigate.

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