UK holidaymakers can now use eGates at 14 major destinations

The opening of a raft of eGates at airports across Europe means less queues for British tourists this holiday season
Holidaymakers heading to popular destinations can breathe a sigh of relief with the news that a host of eGates have now officially opened in time for the summer season.
It should mean less queueing for Brits abroad, who, until now, have had to line up for manned immigration booths and have their documents stamped. Portugal announced the opening of their eGates at Faro Airport at the start of the month after the Prime Minister Keir Starmer struck a deal with EU leaders.
‌
And now France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and eleven other EU countries have officially reopened fast-track eGates for British tourists. According to Travel and Tour World, passengers will now be able to breeze through 14 airports using the electronic system which will scan UK passports and replace the need for stamping them.
‌
Exiting border control through these automated gates was something Brits could do before Brexit. After leaving, that access was restricted.
British travellers were then reclassified as "visa-exempt third-country nationals" and initially lost their ability to use e-gates at many European airports.
Until now, UK holidaymakers have only been able to use eGates at limited airports in Spain and Portugal. It's led to reports of 'nightmare' queues before peak summer season - July and August - has even arrived.
At Faro Airport, prior to the opening of the eGates, we reported on passengers waiting for three hours at the hub to have their passports stamped.
This week Sofia Airport in Bulgaria also opened for British fliers. And Tallinn Airport in Estonia has also relaxed the ban and will now allow Brits to use the gates.
‌
The amendment to the eGate regulations now mean 49 destinations will allow Brits through their security system, the Sun said, with popular countries such as Paris, Rome, Lisbon and Tenerife on the list.
There had been fears that gates would not reopen for Brits before this summer with initial timescales set at October 2025 with the roll out taking place over six months from then.
Where Brits Can Use eGates This Summer
France: Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Bordeaux, Marseille, Lyon, Nice Italy: Rome Fiumicino, Ciampino, Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Venice, Naples, Florence, Bologna, Pisa, Cagliari, Catania, Palermo, Bari, Brindisi, Bergamo, Treviso, Verona, Turin, Olbia Spain: Alicante, Mallorca, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Ibiza Portugal: Lisbon, Faro Germany: EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg (shared with France) Belgium: Brussels Airport Netherlands: Amsterdam Schiphol (exit only) Cyprus: Larnaca, Paphos Ireland: Dublin Hungary: Budapest Czech Republic: Prague (Terminal 1) Finland: Helsinki Bulgaria: Sofia Estonia: Tallinn (starting next year) Eurotunnel/Eurostar: Folkestone Terminal, Calais Terminal, Port of Calais, Eurostar Paris Gare du Nord, London St Pancras

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mirror

an hour ago

• Daily Mirror

Brit woman missing after hiring boat on holiday island pictured

A British woman reported missing after she hired a boat on a popular Spanish holiday island has now been named as Mary Gavin, 39, as the authorities issued her photograph. Mary had hired a motorboat from the port of La Savina, Formentera, in the Balearic Islands, to "take a spin" along the holiday island's coast. The Brit did not say where she was heading but left the port at around 6.30pm on Wednesday.

Scotsman

2 hours ago

• Scotsman

Holidaymakers reveals top 10 items they pack when they go abroad, research by TUI River Cruises reveals

Even though (36 percent) are keen to travel abroad every year, a staggering three quarters of the nation are put off by not being surrounded by the comforts of home and familiarity as (75 percent) stated it was important to be surrounded by familiarity when abroad. Nearly half (43 percent) say that being around smiley staff and friendly crew means the most to them and a third (37 percent) say that being taken care of is the most important thing when they are abroad, allowing them to make them feel more at home. With (33 percent) stating that friendly crew and staff make them feel more relaxed whilst they are abroad on their holidays. It's no surprise that three quarters (75 percent) want familiarity of home when they are on an abroad holiday, so TUI River Cruises has invited TV Presenter, Anthea Turner to spot all of those home from home comforts she can get onboard a TUI River Cruise this summer. With Anthea sailing the Danube, she felt like she was able to travel in comfort and premium style whilst visiting famous landmarks in Hungary, Slovakia and Austria along the way. With TUI River Cruises, every aspect of your holiday is taken care of. Providing all-inclusive river cruise holidays with full end-to-end service, including flights, a selection of cabins, entertainment, exceptional food and drinks and transfers. The river cruise line provides choice and flexibility with its three- to eight-night sailings and various river offerings from the cultural Danube and festive Rhine to the sunny Nile. Anthea Turner hopped onboard TUI River Cruises to try out the All Inclusive river sailing with Twinings Tea bags and afternoon tea all in tow. Whilst sailing, she tried out a range of varied excursions from the Walking Tour of Passau where she was able to explore the Baroque-designed St Stephen's Cathedral and Italian-inspired buildings which are surrounded by cobbled stone lanes, for the first time. Anthea Turner, TV Presenter says: 'A river cruise is a brilliant way to explore different cities in a relaxed environment. I was able to explore the grand cities along the Danube in the comfort of familiarity onboard TUI Skyla. From branded tea to hearty British classics onboard, TUI River Cruises has Brits covered so they can relax and unwind and visit the scenic sights along the river in style.' Surprisingly, two out of five Brits (39 percent) don't even know where they want to go on holiday before they book it. To help the nation choose the right river cruise for them, with the familiar comforts from home, TUI River Cruises has created the 'Which river cruise is for me?' tool, which showcases all of the different options customers can get with TUI River Cruises if they're interested in history, cities or scenic wonders, there's a river cruise for everyone. Showcasing the vast destinations from the sunny Nile to the scenic Danube, excursions, length and offerings, customers have a vast range of variety available at their fingertips 10 HOME FROM HOME OBJECTS BRITS NEED WHEN THEY GO AWAY: 1 . Contributed Anthea Turner has teamed up with TUI River Cruises exploring the European cities along the river Danube and the home from home comforts onboard TUI Skyla. Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 2 . Contributed Anthea Turner has teamed up with TUI River Cruises exploring the European cities along the river Danube and the home from home comforts onboard TUI Skyla. Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 3 . Contributed Anthea Turner has teamed up with TUI River Cruises exploring the European cities along the river Danube and the home from home comforts onboard TUI Skyla. Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 4 . Contributed Anthea Turner has teamed up with TUI River Cruises exploring the European cities along the river Danube and the home from home comforts onboard TUI Skyla. Photo: Submitted Photo Sales Related topics: Holidaymakers

Wales Online

2 hours ago

• Wales Online

Flights are 'almost always cheaper' on two days of the month

Flights are 'almost always cheaper' on two days of the month A travel expert has revealed the best time to book a holiday, including the perfect time to get the cheapest flights and hotels - and it's not as far in advance as you might think There's nothing better than saving money on a holiday (Image: Getty ) Booking holidays can really add up, so any chance to get a good deal is very welcome. Dawn Morwood, co-director of Cheap Deals Away, has spent years monitoring the fluctuating pricing tactics of airlines and hotels, and has some useful advice on saving some cash. It's all about the timing. While you might think booking as far in advance as possible, this actually isn't usually the best approach, says Dawn. ‌ "I've seen people book flights 10 months early thinking they've got a bargain, only to watch the same route drop by £200 per person just weeks before departure," she said. "Airlines use dynamic pricing, which means they're constantly adjusting based on demand predictions." ‌ But likewise, waiting until the last minute to arrange your holiday can be just as detrimental, with the likelihood of snagging a late deal becoming slimmer, reports the Express. "The days of rocking up to the airport and getting a massive discount are largely gone," said Dawn. "What you're more likely to find are inflated prices, limited availability, and having to compromise on everything from departure times to accommodation quality." Article continues below It can be difficult to figure out if you're getting the best deal (Image: Getty ) Budget airlines and holiday operators are most likely to put up their fares closer to the departure date, Dawn added. "The travel industry has its own rhythm, and understanding that can make the difference between a bargain and a disappointment," she said. According to Dawn, the ideal time to book short-haul flights to European destinations is six to eight weeks prior to departure. For long-haul journeys, it's best to secure your holiday booking eight to 12 weeks in advance. Article continues below However, these guidelines vary with the seasons. Those planning a summer getaway are advised to book their short-haul European trips 10 to 12 weeks ahead of time. "But for a city break in February, you can often get away with booking just four to six weeks ahead and still secure excellent deals," Dawn added. The most attractive deals are typically found when there's some flexibility around departure dates, airports, and even destinations. "Tuesday and Wednesday departures are almost always cheaper than weekend flights," Dawn said. "And flying from alternative airports can cut costs dramatically."