British Holidaymakers Could Use E-Gates Again In The EU

UK travellers heading to the European Union for a holiday could be allowed to use e-gates again when travelling through airports.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is reportedly due to discuss the matter with the European Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen, in June.

British officials plan on calling on the EU Member States to follow Spain and Portugal and allow British holidaymakers to be able to visit these destinations using e-gates

“We are working closely with the European Commission and member states to understand the impacts of the introduction of the entry exit system for British citizens, and our priority is always to minimise unnecessary delays for British passengers.”
UK Prime Minister's spokesperson

The rule change could help ease passport queues at airports but do little to speed up border crossing checks at Dover or Folkestone, where cross-Channel travellers have endured long delays to catch ferries post-Brexit.

Issues With the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES)

The EU plans to introduce two separate but related entry systems. The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) involves the automatic registration of visitors from non-EU countries each time they cross an external border. The second system is called European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) where non-EU citizens from visa-exempt countries have to get travel authorisation before entering EU member states.

The reintroducing of passport stamps and more stringent documentation checks for British holidaymakers post-Brexit has created havoc in checking points especially those making ferry crossings between Dover and Calais, France.

French police at the Port of Dover and at Eurotunnel in Folkestone will still need to physically check stamps on passports to ensure compliance with post-Brexit limits on the number of days British tourists are eligible to stay in EU countries.

Eurotunnel and other port authorities are worried about potential delays resulting from the new Entry/Exit system requiring biometric scanning. They fear this will cause chronic traffic congestion in Kent, as drivers and passengers will need to exit their vehicles for scanning.

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