E-Gates to Reopen: Brits Get Green Light at EU Airports
After years of queue-induced groaning and envious glances at speedy EU passport holders, UK travellers are finally getting a long-overdue travel upgrade. In a post-Brexit shake-up that might actually please holidaymakers, British passport holders will soon be able to use electronic passport gates at EU airports again. Yes, the fast lane is back on the table.
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This welcome news comes as part of a fresh UK-EU agreement aimed at smoothing over some of the travel chaos that’s been the norm since 2020. While it's not quite a full reunion tour with the EU, it’s a solid nod to better cooperation—and a huge relief for anyone who’s ever been stuck in a sweaty, snaking passport queue at Malaga or Milan.
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But don’t pack your bags just yet—this isn't happening tomorrow. The plan is tied to the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), which is expected to launch in October 2025. That system will use facial and fingerprint biometrics to log travellers entering and exiting the Schengen Zone. The silver lining? Faster, stamp-free processing once it’s all set up.
Of course, there’s a small catch: from next year, UK citizens will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) visa waiver. It’s similar to the US ESTA, costs €7, and lasts three years. Annoying? Slightly. But not exactly a deal-breaker.
All in all, it’s a promising step towards making European holidays a bit less stressful and a lot more seamless. So whether you’re dreaming of Parisian pastries, Greek sunsets, or a spontaneous Barcelona weekend, your journey from passport control to piña colada just got a little bit smoother. Cheers to that!
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