British Travelers to Use eGates at More European Airports Soon

Key Takeaways

• From October 2025, UK passport holders can use eGates at most major European airports, reducing wait times significantly.
• The agreement coincides with the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) launch, digitizing border checks and recording traveler biometric data.
• Pet passports will be accepted for UK cats and dogs entering the EU, removing the need for health certificates per trip.

British Travelers Soon Eligible for eGates at More European Airports

British travelers will soon enjoy a smoother and faster arrival experience at many European airports, thanks to a new agreement reached between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Starting from October 2025, UK passport holders will be widely eligible to use eGates for entry at a range of major European airports, a change expected to save time and reduce stress at border checks. For many, this marks a welcome return of the convenience that British travelers enjoyed before the United Kingdom left the EU.

The Need for Change: Why This Matters to UK Travelers

Since the Brexit transition at the end of 2020, British travelers to Europe have faced long lines at airport border controls. This is because UK nationals became “third-country nationals”—meaning they are not part of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. As a result, UK passports have had to be checked and stamped by hand, rather than just being scanned at automated gates (often called eGates). Only a few airports, such as some in Spain and Portugal, made exceptions and allowed British travelers limited access to these fast-track gates.

Many British citizens found this shift frustrating, especially compared to how smoothly border crossings had gone before Brexit. Now, with travel volumes high and tourism an important industry for both the United Kingdom and countries in the European Union, the bottlenecks have become a bigger problem. The delays have affected not just leisure travelers, but also business visitors and people who travel often for work or to see family.

“It’s been one of the most visible problems for UK tourists after Brexit,” explained a border official, “with people stuck in long queues, sometimes for over an hour, just to get their passport stamped.”

What Is Changing: The New UK-EU Agreement

In May 2025, the UK and EU announced an updated deal that will expand the use of eGates at European airports for British passport holders. Under this new agreement, most major airports in the EU will allow British travelers—regardless of their purpose for visiting—to use the same automated gates already available to many citizens from countries like the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, Australia 🇦🇺, and New Zealand 🇳🇿.

Key points of the new agreement:
– eGate use will move from being available at just a small handful of airports to being the standard at most large European airports.
– Travelers will simply scan their biometric passports (which store basic identification information in a microchip) and have their face checked with an automated camera.
– The new process should take only a few seconds per person and will help clear lines and speed up arrivals.

British holidaymakers, families, and business people are expected to be the main groups benefiting from these changes, but anyone with a valid UK biometric passport will see the difference.

The Technology Behind eGates

eGates use a mix of technology to check if a person is allowed to enter a country:
– A passport reader scans the chip in a person’s passport.
– The system checks if the passport is valid and not reported lost or stolen.
– A camera takes a live photo of the traveler’s face and compares it to the one on their passport chip.
– If everything matches and there are no warnings on file, the eGate opens—without the need to see a border officer.

This technology has been used for years at airports across Europe for EU, EEA, and specific non-EU countries. After the United Kingdom left the EU, British travelers lost most of their right to use these shortcuts—until now.

When Will This Happen? Timeline and Implementation

Although the agreement is now in place, British travelers will see these changes starting in October 2025. The reason for the wait is the upcoming launch of the European Entry/Exit System (EES), which updates how all non-EU travelers are processed at European borders.

Here’s what to expect:
– The EES will replace old systems based on stamping passports. Instead, every time a non-EU traveler enters or leaves a Schengen Zone country, their details will be recorded digitally.
– The EES will collect biometric information—meaning both a facial scan and a fingerprint scan—from most travelers, creating a digital record instead of a physical stamp.
– When a British traveler arrives at a participating European airport, they will simply use the eGate. The system will check their details, add a new record to the EES, and open the gate if everything is in order.
– Manual checks by an officer will still be possible and may happen in some cases, like first-time registration in the system or if the automated check finds a problem.

Each European country is responsible for rolling out the updated gates at its airports. In practice, this means that some airports (like Rome Fiumicino in Italy 🇮🇹, Amsterdam Schiphol in the Netherlands 🇳🇱, and major airports in Germany 🇩🇪 and France 🇫🇷) are expected to be among the first to allow British travelers through their eGates.

Smaller airports may need more time, but the goal is broad coverage across Europe as soon as the EES launches.

What About Travelers’ Privacy?

As the EES collects biometric data, some travelers might wonder how their information is kept safe. The EU says that all personal information will be stored securely under strict rules, and only authorized border officials will have access. The digital records will make it easier for officials to spot travelers who might have overstayed a previous visit or who raise other concerns.

The use of biometric checks is now common across many large countries, and for most travelers, the benefit is a much faster border crossing with fewer delays.

What to Expect at the Airport: The eGate Experience

For most British travelers, the new system will mean a much faster arrival at European airports. Instead of joining long lines to have a person check and stamp their passports, they will walk directly to a bank of eGates, scan their passports, look at the camera, and—provided all is well—walk through in seconds.

Not all travelers are experienced with eGates, so airports are likely to provide staff nearby to offer help or to check documents manually if needed. For families traveling with children under a certain age (often 12 or 14), manual checks may still be necessary, as not all eGates are set up for younger kids.

Also, travelers with older, non-biometric passports may still need to join manual lines. Most UK passports meet biometric standards if they have a small “chip” logo on the cover.

Wider eGate Access in European Airports: What Airports Are Doing Now

Even before this agreement, some European airports had opened up their eGates for British travelers as an exception. For example, airports in Spain 🇪🇸 (like Madrid Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat) and Portugal 🇵🇹 (like Lisbon and Faro) have offered eGate access for UK passports at certain busy times, hoping to reduce lines during the busy holiday seasons.

There are good reasons for airports to expand this service:
– Faster border crossings reduce the chance that travelers will miss connecting flights.
– Shorter lines improve the image of the airport and the country as welcoming and efficient.
– More efficient processing can also reduce the need for extra border staff, saving money.

Now, with the new agreement, these benefits will reach many more British travelers across all EU countries.

The Introduction of Pet Passports: Simplifying Travel for Animal Owners

In addition to improved eGate access for people, the new UK-EU deal introduces good news for British pet owners. Starting with the agreement, the European Union will accept “pet passports” for cats and dogs traveling from the United Kingdom. This means that pet owners will not need to get a new animal health certificate from a vet before every trip, which used to be the rule after Brexit.

Instead, British pet owners traveling to the EU will be able to use a single pet passport for repeated visits, just like before. This will make life easier—and often cheaper—for families and individuals who like to take their pets along on their European adventures.

Why Has This Change Happened Now?

The new deal comes after many months of talks and some pressure from travel and tourism groups, as well as affected travelers. European airports want to keep their reputation for smooth and modern service. At the same time, the United Kingdom wanted to restore some of the mobility rights lost in the Brexit process. For both sides, improving border efficiency was a practical issue—especially since long lines can sometimes discourage tourism and business travel.

Easy, safe, and reliable travel is important for the economies of the United Kingdom and EU countries. With millions of British travelers visiting European destinations each year, streamlining their arrival experience makes sense for everyone.

A summary table shows how things will change for British travelers:

What About Other Nationalities?

British travelers aren’t the only ones to benefit from special eGate access. Airports in the EU have, in recent years, opened their eGates to select nationalities with reliable biometric passports and strong border control agreements. Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, and people from some Asian countries have already enjoyed these fast-track services at many major European airports. The current policy update effectively places UK travelers in the same group for border processing.

What About the Rest of the United Kingdom?

It is important to mention that the new rules only cover British passport holders. People traveling with other types of UK travel documents, like special resident permits or older, non-biometric passports, will not be eligible for automatic eGate use at European airports and will still need to use manual lines.

People traveling from British overseas territories, or holders of other special documents, should check with their airline and the airport they plan to use before flying.

Next Steps: How to Prepare for the Change

For those planning travel to Europe after October 2025, it’s smart to check that your passport is biometric (look for the chip sign on the cover) and make sure it is still valid for your journey.

Pet owners should look out for guidance from the UK government on the new pet passport rules, which are expected to be published closer to the rollout date. Official updates and guidance can often be found on the UK government’s official site.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the move to eGate access is just one part of the wider digital overhaul happening at European airports. With the EU’s digital entry system set to launch and with border procedures changing, travelers are urged to keep up to date with official advice—especially as more details may be announced in the months before October 2025.

What Are the Benefits and Possible Challenges?

The most obvious benefit is time saved for British travelers. Shorter lines mean less stress for holidaymakers and business travelers alike. The simplified pet passport also makes it easier for families to take their animals on trips.

For airport authorities, the use of eGates maximizes efficiency and allows resources to be used where they are most needed.

Some possible challenges could include:
– Not all travelers use new technology easily; airports will need helpers to support first-timers.
– During the early weeks of the system, there may be some technical issues or queues if demand is very high.
– Travelers with older, damaged, or non-biometric passports may still face manual processing and should check in advance.

Still, the general feeling is positive, and airports across Europe are working hard to deliver the new system smoothly.

Final Thoughts: What This Means for British Travelers

In summary, the new agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union to expand eGate use at European airports represents a big improvement for British travelers. It brings back some of the convenience and efficiency lost after Brexit. With the launch scheduled for October 2025, UK passport holders—whether traveling for work, a holiday, or to see family—can look forward to a faster, friendlier arrival experience across Europe. Plus, with easier pet travel, bringing furry family members along will now be simpler.

As always, travelers are encouraged to plan ahead, check official advice, and be ready for the new process when it rolls out.

For more on changes to border controls and updates about British travelers, the use of eGates, and what to expect at European airports, look out for comprehensive coverage at VisaVerge.com and from government sources. With these changes approaching, British travelers can look to the future of European travel with greater ease and confidence.

Learn Today

eGates → Automated border gates using biometric technology to verify identity and allow quick entry for eligible travelers.
Biometric Passport → A passport containing a microchip that stores the holder’s biometric data, including facial image and personal details.
Entry/Exit System (EES) → A new EU digital system replacing passport stamping by recording entry, exit, and biometric data for third-country travelers.
Schengen Zone → A group of European countries with open borders allowing unrestricted movement without routine passport checks between members.
Pet Passport → An official document allowing cats or dogs to travel between countries without requiring new health certificates for each trip.

This Article in a Nutshell

British travelers will experience faster arrivals at European airports starting October 2025, thanks to expanded eGate access under a new UK-EU agreement. The move reduces wait times, enables biometric entry, and reintroduces pet passports for animals. This modernized, streamlined approach to border crossing promises convenience and efficiency for millions of UK travelers.
— By VisaVerge.com

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