Particle.news
Download on the App Store
8 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

EU E-Gate Access for British Travellers Delayed Until October at Earliest

While a UK-EU agreement removes legal barriers for e-gate use post-EES, operational rollout and passport stamping remain unresolved, with full implementation potentially extending into 2026.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Overview

  • The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), key to enabling British access to e-gates, is delayed until October 2025, with a phased rollout through April 2026.
  • A UK-EU agreement ensures no legal barriers to British nationals using e-gates post-EES, but individual EU member states retain discretion over implementation and stamping policies.
  • British travellers will continue to face manual passport stamping and queues at EU borders until at least October, with some airports allowing e-gate use but still requiring stamps.
  • The EES will require non-EU visitors to provide biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial images, to streamline future border crossings.
  • The European Commission confirmed e-gate access for non-EU nationals, including Britons, post-EES, aiming to enhance border efficiency and travel fluidity.