EU e-gates for UK citizens: What’s changing?

British travellers could soon face shorter airport queues in Europe, as the UK and EU move closer to a deal that would allow UK passport holders to use e-gates across European airports.

The agreement—expected to be discussed at an upcoming UK-EU summit in London—would mark a significant step in easing post-Brexit travel restrictions. If finalised, the deal would reduce the need for passport stamping and speed up border checks, improving travel conditions for millions of British holidaymakers this summer.

What are EU e-gates?

E-gates (short for electronic passport gates) are automated border control systems at many European airports. They scan your passport, verify your identity using facial recognition, and let you pass through without seeing a border officer—provided everything checks out.

These gates are primarily available to EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens, enabling faster and more efficient entry.

UK EU E-gates now

Since Brexit, British citizens are no longer part of the EU or the European Economic Area. This means:

• UK travellers can no longer automatically use EU e-gates in many countries.

• They often have to stand in separate queues and get their passports manually stamped upon arrival.

• This has led to longer wait times and frustration, especially during peak travel seasons.

Some EU countries (like Portugal and Spain) have independently decided to allow UK passport holders to use e-gates, but this is not consistent across all EU member states.

What’s changing?

As of May 2025, the UK and EU are reportedly close to reaching a deal that would:

• Allow British passport holders to use e-gates across the entire European Union.

• Reduce or eliminate the need for manual passport stamping at airports.

• Significantly cut down airport queue times for British holidaymakers.

This proposal is part of a broader negotiation package ahead of a major UK-EU summit in London.

Are UK EU E-gates guaranteed?

Not yet. As of now:

• The deal is still under negotiation, and the final terms are not confirmed.

• It may depend on additional agreements, such as those related to security, data sharing, or border technology.

• It’s also connected to other topics in talks, like a youth mobility scheme and a veterinary agreement to ease trade.

EU-UK Summit 2025: Key points

The first EU-UK summit since Brexit is taking place in London, bringing together top leaders from both sides. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host António Costa (President of the European Council), Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission), High Representative Kaja Kallas, and Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.

According to the EU Council, here is the agenda they will follow:

• Renew strategic ties post-Brexit

• Strengthen cooperation on peace & security in Europe

• Align on foreign and security policy

• Deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, mobility, science, and youth exchange

Since leaving the EU in January 2020, the UK’s relationship with the EU has been governed by key agreements—the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the Withdrawal Agreement, and the Northern Ireland Protocol. Together, these form the legal and diplomatic foundation for cooperation on trade, border controls, citizens’ rights, and regulatory alignment.

What about the EU’s new entry system?

From October 2025, the EU plans to launch an Entry/Exit System (EES), replacing passport stamps with biometric checks (fingerprints and face scans). This could work alongside e-gates, potentially making them even more efficient—but also requiring one-time biometric registration by UK citizens.

But there's a catch: Country-by-country rollout

Even after EES is introduced, each EU country will decide whether to allow UK passport holders to use e-gates.

Some countries already permit limited e-gate use by UK travellers (e.g., Spain), usually followed by manual passport stamping.

The UK government is now in talks with individual EU nations to expand e-gate access after October.