British tourists face passport-stamping queues in the EU until at least October as the introduction of a new e-gates system for British nationals traveling to and from EU member states has been delayed until October, with access being phased in over six months until April 2026.
The introduction of a new e-gates system for British nationals traveling to and from EU member states has been delayed until October, with the government phasing it in over six months.
An e-Gate, also known as an automated biometric processing (ABP) gate, is a secure and efficient way to process travelers through immigration.
These electronic gates use facial recognition technology to verify the identity of passengers.
They are designed to reduce wait times and improve security by minimizing human interaction with sensitive information.
E-gates can be found in many airports worldwide, offering a convenient option for eligible travelers to clear customs and immigration quickly.
According to the detailed text of the agreement, both the UK and the EU agree that there will be ‘no legal barriers to e-gate use’ for British nationals. However, the government has conceded that the system will not be implemented until October, with access being phased in over six months until April 2026.
This means that British holidaymakers will still have to endure passport-stamping queues at airports, despite the introduction of e-gates. The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) has stated that the deal ‘won’t impact this summer’ and will rely on confirmation from EU member states when ‘wet stamping’ of passports will end.
Under the new system, non-EU citizens, including UK nationals, will be required to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, when entering the Schengen area. Each visit after that will verify the biometrics, and if the digital file is clear of any impediments to travel, travelers will usually not need to go through a passport control officer.
UK nationals refer to individuals holding British citizenship, either by birth, descent, or naturalization.
They can hold a full British passport and enjoy the rights and privileges associated with it.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were approximately 67 million UK nationals in 2020.
This group includes people born in the UK, as well as those who have acquired citizenship through their parents or by naturalization.
The Spanish government has confirmed that British travelers will be able to use electronic gates at Spanish airports once the system is up and running. Other EU countries have also expressed their willingness to allow UK citizens to use e-gates, but the exact terms of this arrangement are still unclear.
The introduction of the EES system has been delayed three times due to concerns over its impact on border control during the Olympics in Paris last year. Technical problems with each member state’s system for interfacing with the agency eu-Lisa have also caused delays.
- theguardian.com | Britons will not be able to use e gates in EU until October at earliest
