Latest news with #e-gates
The Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Germany to allow UK passport holders to use e-gates
Germany has agreed to allow some arriving UK airline passengers to use passport e-gates at its airports by the end of August, the Cabinet Office has announced. This will initially be available for frequent travellers. Access for all UK nationals will be possible once Germany has completed updates to its entry systems as it introduces the EU's long-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES). The deal forms part of a bilateral treaty signed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the latter's first official visit to the UK. Since Brexit, UK travellers arriving at EU airports have generally been forced to queue for manned desks to have their passports stamped, rather than use automated gates with facial recognition technology. This has led to many passengers facing long queues, particularly during peak periods. The issue has been described as one of the most visible impacts of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. The UK-EU summit in May agreed there is no legal barrier to UK citizens using EU e-gates. The Cabinet Office said since then, e-gate access for UK travellers has increased in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Portugal. EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said: 'E-gates can make the slog of travelling through an airport that bit easier, which is why I have been working with the EU and member states to get more airports opened up to Brits abroad. 'With £30 billion of services trade between the UK and the EU, this agreement isn't just good for holidaymakers, it's good for British businesses too, making travelling easier between Europe's biggest economies, to get deals done and boost growth.' The treaty also includes the UK and Germany agreeing to establish a taskforce aimed at paving the way for direct train services between the countries. It is hoped services could begin within the next decade. The taskforce will bring together transport experts from both governments to examine how to address barriers to a new route, such as how to establish the necessary border and security checks. It will also assess safety standards and collaborate with train operators. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'We're pioneering a new era of European rail connectivity and are determined to put Britain at the heart of a better-connected continent. 'The Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie – in just a matter of years, rail passengers in the UK could be able to visit these iconic sites direct from the comfort of a train, thanks to a direct connection linking London and Berlin.' She added that the agreement has the potential to 'fundamentally change how millions of people travel' between the UK and Germany by offering a 'faster, more convenient and significantly greener alternative to flying'. In May, the UK and Switzerland signed a memorandum of understanding in an attempt to address barriers to a rail link between the countries. A month later, Eurostar unveiled plans to launch direct services connecting the UK with Germany and Switzerland. The operator announced proposals to run trains between London St Pancras and both Frankfurt and Geneva from the 'early 2030s'. Journey times would be about five hours between London and Frankfurt, and five hours and 20 minutes between London and Geneva. Eurostar holds a monopoly in running passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel, but several organisations are developing plans to launch rival services.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Another European country to allow Brits to use much faster airport e-gates
GERMANY will let UK passport holders use e-gates at its airports this summer. It has been announced that some travellers will be allowed to use the automatic gates rather than go through lengthy passport control from August. 4 In July, the Cabinet Office announced that Germany will allow some UK airline passengers to use passport e-gates at its airports by the end of August. But the use of e-gates for all UK passengers will be possible once Germany has completed updates to its entry systems. This is part of the introduction of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) that was first proposed in 2016 - and is expected to be implemented in October 2025. The deal to let some passengers use the e-gates forms part of a treaty signed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Since Brexit, UK travellers arriving at EU airports have generally been forced to queue for manned desks to have their passports stamped rather than use the automated gates. The result has led to frustrated passengers and generally long queues - especially during the busy summer holidays. The issue has been described as one of the most visible impacts of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "E-gates can make the slog of travelling through an airport that bit easier, which is why I have been working with the EU and member states to get more airports opened up to Brits abroad. "With £30 billion of services trade between the UK and the EU, this agreement isn't just good for holidaymakers, it's good for British businesses too, making travelling easier between Europe 's biggest economies, to get deals done and boost growth." 4 However, more and more countries have allowed Brits to use e-gates since Brexit in 2020. As of this year, 48 locations, including some major European airports, have allowed those with UK passports to enter the country through e-gates. In June 2025, Sofia Airport in Bulgaria announced it would be allowing Brits to use the automatic gates. Faro Airport, which connects the UK with the Algarve, also made the announcement in spring 2025. Not only has Sofia followed suit, Tallinn in Estonia confirmed they would also remove the e-gate ban for Brits from next year. Here's more on the new airport rules to make travelling to Europe MUCH easier – what Starmer's new Brexit deal means for your holiday. But here's a recent blow to . 4
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Germany to allow UK passport holders to use e-gates
Germany has agreed to allow some arriving UK airline passengers to use passport e-gates at its airports by the end of August, the Cabinet Office has announced. This will initially be available for frequent travellers. Access for all UK nationals will be possible once Germany has completed updates to its entry systems as it introduces the EU's long-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES). The deal forms part of a bilateral treaty signed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the latter's first official visit to the UK. Since Brexit, UK travellers arriving at EU airports have generally been forced to queue for manned desks to have their passports stamped, rather than use automated gates with facial recognition technology. This has led to many passengers facing long queues, particularly during peak periods. The issue has been described as one of the most visible impacts of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. The UK-EU summit in May agreed there is no legal barrier to UK citizens using EU e-gates. The Cabinet Office said since then, e-gate access for UK travellers has increased in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Portugal. EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said: 'E-gates can make the slog of travelling through an airport that bit easier, which is why I have been working with the EU and member states to get more airports opened up to Brits abroad. 'With £30 billion of services trade between the UK and the EU, this agreement isn't just good for holidaymakers, it's good for British businesses too, making travelling easier between Europe's biggest economies, to get deals done and boost growth.' The treaty also includes the UK and Germany agreeing to establish a taskforce aimed at paving the way for direct train services between the countries. It is hoped services could begin within the next decade. The taskforce will bring together transport experts from both governments to examine how to address barriers to a new route, such as how to establish the necessary border and security checks. It will also assess safety standards and collaborate with train operators. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'We're pioneering a new era of European rail connectivity and are determined to put Britain at the heart of a better-connected continent. 'The Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie – in just a matter of years, rail passengers in the UK could be able to visit these iconic sites direct from the comfort of a train, thanks to a direct connection linking London and Berlin.' She added that the agreement has the potential to 'fundamentally change how millions of people travel' between the UK and Germany by offering a 'faster, more convenient and significantly greener alternative to flying'. In May, the UK and Switzerland signed a memorandum of understanding in an attempt to address barriers to a rail link between the countries. A month later, Eurostar unveiled plans to launch direct services connecting the UK with Germany and Switzerland. The operator announced proposals to run trains between London St Pancras and both Frankfurt and Geneva from the 'early 2030s'. Journey times would be about five hours between London and Frankfurt, and five hours and 20 minutes between London and Geneva. Eurostar holds a monopoly in running passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel, but several organisations are developing plans to launch rival services.
The Independent
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Faro Airport opens e-gates to British travellers in time for summer
Faro Airport in Portugal has started the rollout of e-gate access to British arrivals, the UK Government has announced. Downing Street expects British holidaymakers will be able to use the technology in their 'millions', after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer struck an agreement with EU leaders last month. Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, whose brief includes EU relations, said at the despatch box on Thursday that the deal 'makes life easier for holidaymakers'. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'Yesterday, Portugal opened e-gates at Faro Airport to British citizens, which will mean millions more Brits going to the Algarve will be able to use e-gates in time for the summer holidays.' He added: 'We're obviously continuing to work with other countries and other airports to ensure Brits can use more e-gates as soon as possible and that work continues. 'It's obviously good news to see a very significant airport, I think for British holidaymakers, opening e-gates to British citizens yesterday.' When he unveiled the deal last month, Sir Keir said that 'for holidaymakers wanting to get out this summer, they will want to know that they can do so easily and without delay and chaos'. The Prime Minister called on 'all EU members states to help make this a reality without delay'. Since Brexit, UK nationals have been unable to use e-gates in most Schengen area countries. Passengers from the UK face warnings that passport controls on arrival at Portugal 'may take up more time, as the passport will have to be stamped and there are additional questions that may be asked by the border control officers', according to the Faro Airport website. The Government has said the deal will smooth over 'legal barriers to e-gates use for UK nationals', once a new stamp-free biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) launches, due in October this year. Taking a question about steps 'to improve relations with the EU', Mr Thomas–Symonds 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.'
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Starmer jokes Farage was ‘first through e-gates in France' after skipping Brexit deal debate for holiday abroad
Sir Keir Starmer made a jab at Nigel Farage during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday (21 May), stating that the Reform UK leader, who is currently holidaying in France, was 'first through the e-gates'. Mr Farage missed a parliamentary debate on a Brexit reset yesterday, where the prime minister presented his new UK-EU deal, with access to e-gates being a crucial part of the agreement. Speaking to Reform UK MP Lee Anderson in the House of Commons, Sir Keir said it was 'very good' to see him standing in for the Clacton MP. Sir Keir's joke on e-gates was met with cheers from the Commons, and he followed the jab with the pun: 'Nice work if you can get it.'
