UK Travelers to Face Delays as EU E-Gates Remain Inaccessible Until EES Rollout
UK Tourists to Gain E-Gate Access in EU After Entry/Exit System Launch, Says Prime Minister
There will be no legal barriers preventing British nationals from using e-gates when travelling to and from EU countries once the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) becomes operational. The long-anticipated rollout of the EES is expected to streamline border procedures for non-EU travelers, including those from the UK.
UK Pushes for E-Gate Access Across the EU
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced earlier this week that he has formally urged EU member states to permit British passport holders to use automated e-gates at border checkpoints across Europe. He emphasized that enabling e-gate access for UK citizens would significantly improve the travel experience.
"This partnership helps British holidaymakers, who will be able to use e-gates when they travel to Europe, ending those huge queues at passport control," said Prime Minister Starmer.
He described the measure as a key element of ongoing UK-EU cooperation, aimed at simplifying travel and reducing congestion at entry points.
Spain Confirms E-Gate Access for UK Travellers
Spain has already confirmed that British travelers will be able to use e-gates at its airports once the EES is fully implemented. A spokesperson from the Spanish Ministry of Interior stated that British citizens holding a valid travel document, such as a passport, will be eligible to use electronic gates at Spanish border control.
“When the EU orders the entry/exit border control system to begin operating, British citizens will be able to use electronic entry points as long as they have a valid travel document,” the Ministry source explained.
Summer 2025 Travel Still Affected by Manual Passport Checks
Despite this progress, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has cautioned that the changes will not take effect in time for the summer 2025 holiday season. According to ABTA, UK travelers heading to EU destinations in the coming months will still need to have their passports manually stamped at border crossings.
What Is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The Entry/Exit System is a new automated border control platform designed to monitor the movement of non-EU nationals entering and exiting the Schengen Area for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period).
Once operational, the system will:
Digitally register entry and exit records
Capture facial images and fingerprints
Record passport and personal details
The EU Council and European Parliament have agreed to roll out the system gradually. When fully in place, the EES will replace manual passport stamps and offer a faster, more secure way to process border crossings for millions of travelers each year.
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