Faster EU Entry for British Travellers as eGate Access Expands Across Europe

Charlie News & Events 18 June 2025 | | 0

Good news for British holidaymakers: getting through passport control in Europe just got easier.

The UK government has announced that Sofia Airport in Bulgaria is the latest to allow British passport holders to use eGates. These automated fast-track passport checks drastically reduce waiting times. This follows a recent update from Faro Airport in Portugal, which now also lets UK travellers use eGates.

Until recently, many British citizens were stuck in long queues at European airports, unable to use eGates due to post-Brexit changes. Instead, they had to join much slower lines with non-EU travellers, leading to hours-long waits, especially during the summer rush.

Now, with Tallinn Airport in Estonia also confirming it will drop restrictions on UK passport holders from next year, the total number of EU airports allowing British travellers to use eGates is up to 49. These include popular spots like Paris, Rome, Tenerife, Lisbon, and Ibiza.

For British tourists, this change means shorter queues, less stress, and a smoother start (or end) to your holiday.

Why This Matters for UK Travellers

Last summer, many British nationals missed flights due to long passport control delays, particularly in places like Spain, where all UK visitors had to get their passports manually stamped. The return of eGate access is a major relief, especially with more people planning to travel this summer.

Minister for EU Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds called it a “win for British travellers”, saying it reflects a more practical approach to rebuilding relationships with the EU.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer also weighed in, saying the government is pushing hard to make travel easier:

“Holidaymakers want to get away without chaos or delay. We're working to make that happen.”

Passport Stamping Still Applies

While eGates speed things up, UK travellers still need to make sure their passports are stamped on entry and exit. That’s because the 90-day rule (which limits Brits to staying in the EU for 90 out of every 180 days) is still in place.

Failing to get your passport stamped properly could lead to problems—including bans from returning to the Schengen area, as happened to one traveller in Majorca in 2022.

This requirement will eventually be replaced when the EU rolls out its new Entry/Exit System (EES) in October 2025. EES will introduce biometric checks to track entry and exit automatically, replacing manual passport stamps.

To see the full list of 49 EU airports and ports currently allowing British travellers, check out our blog post. It could save you a lot of time at border control.

EU Airports Where British Citizens Can Now Use eGates

Here’s the full list of 49 EU airports and ports currently allowing British travellers to use eGates:

Belgium
Brussels

Bulgaria
Sofia

Cyprus
Larnaca, Paphos

Czech Republic
Prague (Terminal 1)

Estonia
Tallinn (from 2026)

Eurotunnel & Ferry Terminals
Eurostar London St Pancras, Eurotunnel Folkestone & Calais, Port of Calais

Finland
Helsinki

France
Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Bordeaux, Marseille, Lyon, Nice, Eurostar Paris Gare du Nord

Hungary
Budapest

Italy
Rome Fiumicino, Rome Ciampino, Naples, Venice, Bologna, Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Florence, Pisa, Turin, Verona, Bari, Brindisi, Cagliari, Bergamo, Treviso, Olbia, Catania, Palermo

Ireland
Dublin

Netherlands
Amsterdam Schiphol (exit only)

Portugal
Lisbon, Faro

Spain
Alicante, Mallorca, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Ibiza

If you're flying out this summer, check whether your destination airport supports eGates for UK passports—it could save you a lot of time at border control.

And remember: even with eGates, get your passport stamped!

Where do you plan to go this summer? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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About
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Charlie

Travel and Immigration Writer and Client Relationship Manager at IaM (Immigration and Migration)

Charlie is IaM’s resident Travel & Immigration Writer and Client Relationship Manager. They craft clear, engaging guides that demystify complex visa and migration rules - and then personally supports each client through every step of their journey.

Over the past 6+ years, with IaM, and working in the travel and immigration sector, Charlie has authored 200+ in-depth guides on Schengen, UK visas & other destinations they have relocated 1,000+ families safely through the system. A Clockwork Practitioner, Charlie also works hard to streamline operations and adheres to the mantra "Task Clients Well".

When they’re not translating policy into plain English, you’ll find them scouting new destinations, collecting local stories, and mastering a new language to better serve our global community.