Sir Keir Starmer said his deal with the EU would bring an end to “huge queues at passport control” by allowing UK citizens to use e-gates, which are currently restricted to European travellers in most countries.
And the Prime Minister was forced to admit that Britons will also face delays when a tougher entry system is introduced by the EU later this year, forcing them to provide fingerprints and a facial scan.
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These post-Brexit rules have caused queues which can sometimes be hours long at EU holiday hotspots. Heralding an agreement with Brussels chiefs on economic and security co-operation on Monday, Starmer said: “Today’s deal will also help British holidaymakers, confirming that they will be able to use e-gates when they travel to Europe, ending those huge queues at passport control. And I call on all EU members to help make this a reality without delay.”
British citizens are still expected to be forced to sign up to the EU’s new entry/exit system (EES), which is due to take effect in October and will make travellers queue up to provide biometric data the first time they go to the continent once it is in force.
European Council President Antonio Costa (L), UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer (C) and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen (R) attend a press conference at the UK-EU summit at Lancaster House (Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images)It is understood that the UK will continue to push the European Commission for a carve-out to avoid chaos at ports and airports EES is introduced.
Mark Tanzer, chief executive of the travel association ABTA, said: “The agreements around e-gates and pet passports will make it easier for travellers, cutting down on queues and pre-holiday admin. There are, of course, more border changes coming down the line, including the EU entry/exit system planned for October 2025. It is vital we continue to see good co-operation between the UK and EU on the introduction of this scheme, to make it as streamlined as possible for UK travellers.”
Neil Swanson of TUI added: “I’m thrilled that British holidaymakers will have access to more e-gates across Europe, making travel smoother and reducing arrival queues. Ideally, this would be in place before the peak summer season and for the launch of the EU entry/exit scheme this autumn at the latest.”
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