Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas Symonds confirmed Keir Starmer’s deal with the EU was delivering benefits already – allowing holidaymakers to zip through eGates instead of lengthy passport queues
Holidaymakers from the UK can skip lengthy passport queues at a major European holiday destination from today, after Keir Starmer cut a deal with the EU.
Faro Airport in Portugal will start the rollout of eGate access to UK arrivals this week, the minister for EU relations has said.
Taking a question about steps “to improve relations with the EU”, Nick Thomas-Symonds – a minister in the Cabinet Office – told the Commons: “The historic deal that we signed with the EU on May 19 is in our national interests – good for bills, borders and jobs.
“It slashes red tape and bureaucracy, boosts British exporters and makes life easier for holidaymakers.
“Indeed, I’m delighted to confirm this morning that Faro Airport in Portugal will start the rollout of e-gate access to UK arrivals this week.”
Starmer described the deal as a “win-win” as he shook hands with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in London last month. “Britain is back on the world stage,” he declared. “[The deal] gives us unprecedented access to the EU market, the best of any country… all while sticking to the red lines in our manifesto.”
The PM went on to explain the impact of the “new partnership between an independent Britain and our allies in Europe” on voters’ daily lives.
“Let me set out why it is good for Britain,” he said in a speech posted to X.
“Today’s deal will […] help British holidaymakers. We’re confirming that they will be able to use e-gates when they travel to Europe, ending those huge queues at passport control.”
Since Brexit, British passport holders have been considered “visa-exempt third-country nationals” and have generally had to queue for manual checks at border control to have their passport stamped.
Brits were able to use e-gates at a limited number of airports in Spain and Portugal.
However, the EU has now agreed to ease checks on British travellers more universally.
The deal states that “there will be no legal barriers to e-gate use for British nationals travelling to and from European Union.”
It’s yet to be confirmed when the rest of the rollout will go ahead.
But the EU plans to launch its new Entry/Exit System (EES) in October 2025, replacing the need for non-EU citizens to have their passports stamped. It is thought that more EU airports will allow UK passengers to use the e-gates after the new system comes into effect.
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The system will require travellers to have their fingerprints scanned and a photograph taken so they can be registered to a database. Their data will then be stored for three years.
Those who do not provide a fingerprint scan and photo will be denied entry.
Some EU airports will still require additional checks and Brits may not be able to use e-gates here.
Brits will also still be subject to the ’90-day rule’, whereby eligible non-EU citizens can spend 90 days in any 180-day period in the EU without a visa.
Travel records will be digitised under the new EES to enforce this rule and increase border security.
The ‘landmark deal’ is also expected to “lower food prices at checkouts”, improve UK defence and put “more money in people’s pockets,” according to Starmer. Von der Leyen described it as “a historic moment […] opening a new chapter in our unique relationship.”
