Just how many more airports will be offering this service to UK passport holders, and when this service will be implemented, has not been detailed.
British PM, Sir Keir Starmer, told the BBC that he has “called on all EU members to co-operate without delay”:
According to the UK government this deal will end “the dreaded queues at border control”, with EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds adding that this would give British travellers "more time to spend on holiday or work trips [...] doing what you want, not being stuck in queues."
British passport holders currently fall into the same “visa exempt third country nationals” when travelling to the EU, along with travellers from Canada, Australia and New Zealand among others. This has meant that travellers from the UK have had to join the “other nations” queues which has led to reports of prolonged delays in being processed through passport control.
The new announcement from the British government means that in some airports in the EU will allow UK travellers to instead use e-gates which are usually reserved for EU citizens which should speed up the process. UK Passport holders are already able to use this service in Italy and also in Lisbon and at Amsterdam Schiphol.
My wife and I have been travelling to Portugal for 25 years 2 & 3 times a year over the past 2 years access via border control at faro airports has progressively worsend . We are due to return in June if the situation has not improved we are thinking we are not longer welcome so will cancel our accommodation and flights and find alternative places to spend our mony
By David Clayton from UK on 20 May 2025, 19:58
FARO. Why is Faro airport so bad. They have the E gates installed for several years now but rarely use them. Having checked with security, maybe one month a year in the summer.
Time for change?
By Hugh IN The Alentejo from Alentejo on 21 May 2025, 10:58
Always knew that after EES system would probably use the E Gates since passports would not normally have to be stamped, The ‘deal’ does not change this, nor can we use the gates BEFORE the EES system and then it depends on individual country regulations. The EU has secured a good deal. We have not and been sold a pup!!! To David who has commented. Am sure most Portuguese are Brit. friendly (unlike Spain). We have a long history. Faro is a very busy airport so guess lots of flights arriving together will be a problem. Bournemouth Airport cant cope with 3 flights arriving within minutes of one another. Enjoy your holiday!
By ros from UK on 21 May 2025, 11:16
There are plenty of egates at Faro and Lisbon that British people can already use in theory but the border service clearly don't want to use them either because of some kind of industrial action or other reasons.
By Penelope Kimber from Algarve on 21 May 2025, 13:30
I live in VDL 6 months of the year & 6 months in France.
Faro airport is shocking no matter where you are from.
yesterday was around a one hour process.
if you are elderly, infirm or have young children this is going to seriously impact you decision to return.
every line was a problem.
this needs addressed urgently.
By Derrick Louden from UK on 21 May 2025, 17:08