Wednesday, June 18, 2025
British tourists travelling to Europe this summer are set to benefit from a major breakthrough in cross-border travel, as the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Portugal, France, and Italy have jointly embraced e-gate technology to streamline airport entry for UK passport holders. This new system, made possible through a recent UK-EU agreement, allows British travellers to bypass long immigration queues by using automated passport control gates at key airports. The rollout marks a significant shift in post-Brexit travel procedures, enhancing efficiency, reducing congestion, and ensuring a faster, more convenient arrival experience for millions of holidaymakers heading to Europe’s most popular destinations.
UK Holidaymakers to Enjoy Faster Border Checks in Europe as E-Gates Roll Out Across Popular Tourist Hubs
UK travellers heading to Europe this summer are in for a smoother journey through border control, as a new agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union allows British passport holders to use fast-track e-gates at select European airports. This change is set to significantly reduce long queues and streamline the arrival process for British tourists, particularly during the peak holiday season.
One of the first destinations to benefit from this policy is Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, where the new e-gate access for UK citizens is being introduced ahead of the busy summer months. British travellers arriving in Sofia will now be able to scan their passports electronically, bypassing traditional manual checks that have been in place since Brexit.
This improvement follows a diplomatic agreement reached last month between UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and EU officials, which marks a notable shift in travel convenience for British citizens post-Brexit. Until recently, travellers from the UK were subject to full manual inspections at European borders, often causing delays, especially at larger and busier airports.
Under the revised rules, British passport holders will now be treated similarly to other non-EU travellers who are part of fast-track arrangements, gaining access to e-gates at select entry points across the EU. These automated gates significantly speed up the border process by verifying biometric data and passport credentials electronically.
Beyond Bulgaria, the roll-out of e-gate access is expanding to several other high-traffic destinations across Europe. Airports in cities such as Lisbon, Rome, and Paris already offer this service to UK visitors, with additional locations expected to adopt the system in the coming months. Portugal has been among the early adopters of this change, welcoming British holidaymakers with more efficient entry procedures at key travel hubs.
The move is seen as a win-win for both British travellers and European airport authorities. For UK tourists, it provides a faster, less stressful experience when entering their holiday destination. For EU countries, it helps reduce congestion and improves overall airport efficiency during a period when tourism numbers are rebounding strongly post-pandemic.
In addition to easing travel this summer, broader structural changes to EU border protocols are on the horizon. The European Union is expected to phase out its Entry/Exit System (EES) by October 2025, which currently requires non-EU travellers to receive manual passport stamps upon arrival and departure. When that change takes effect, UK citizens and other non-EU nationals may benefit from a more digitised and streamlined border process across the Schengen Area, removing yet another layer of travel bureaucracy.
For now, the newly expanded e-gate access represents a major milestone in post-Brexit travel relations between the UK and EU. With more airports expected to join the list of participating locations, the days of long lines and manual passport checks may soon become a thing of the past for British tourists.
UK holidaymakers planning trips to Southern Europe, Eastern Europe, or Western European capitals this summer should check in advance whether their destination airport offers e-gate access for British travellers. As the scheme continues to evolve, real-time updates are expected to be issued by government travel portals and airline advisories.
British travellers can now enjoy faster entry into Europe as the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Portugal, France, and Italy roll out e-gate access, cutting wait times and simplifying border checks under a new UK-EU travel agreement.
With millions of Brits expected to travel abroad during the warmer months, the timing of this agreement could not be better. From beach vacations to city breaks, the e-gate rollout is poised to transform the airport arrival experience for British citizens across the continent. The success of this initiative also signals a broader willingness between the UK and EU to collaborate on practical matters of mutual interest—even in a post-Brexit era.
Tags: border control, british tourists, Bulgaria tourism, EU airports, france tourism, Italy holidays, portugal travel, summer holidays, Tourism news, Travel News, UK Travel
