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Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Brits STILL face chaos at Faro airport as huge queues form at passport control despite new post-Brexit deal allowing UK holidaymakers to use e-gates
British tourists have begun using e-gates at Faro Airport after a deal was struck with the UK Government – but they are still facing queues of nearly half an hour. The Portuguese airport has started the rollout of e-gate access to British arrivals after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed an agreement with EU leaders last month. Since Brexit, Britons arriving at EU airports have generally been forced to queue for manned desks to have their passports stamped, rather than use automated gates with facial recognition technology – leading to long waits, particularly during peak periods. But the UK Government confirmed on May 19 that British passport holders will be able to use e-gates at more European airports as part of the new UK-EU deal. It hopes the deal will smooth over 'legal barriers to e-gates use for UK nationals', once a new stamp-free biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) launches in October. Now, UK arrivals at Faro Airport have confirmed the e-gates are operational for Britons - although one said he still had to queue for about 25 minutes yesterday. He told MailOnline the e-gates were working but 'not enough', adding: 'The EU queue had periods where there were zero people and they opened it up to UK citizens. 'Considering the loyalty UK holiday makers have to Portugal it's a bit of a shame we're still treated like second-class citizens. But Portugal are leading the way - still some work to do.' Travellers arriving at Faro Airport in recent weeks – before the e-gates were opened to UK arrivals - have complained about long waits to get through the border, with the issue highlighted by the English-language publication Portugal Resident last month. It reported that passport control delays of up to three hours were 'yet again leaving travellers tired, angry and questioning the Algarve's readiness for peak tourism'. Agência de Promoção de Albufeira (Apal), the local tourism agency, said in a statement last month that it had 'deep concern' about the long queues. Francisco Vieira Pita, director of ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, claimed a security system update was to blame for the delays, adding that the airport operator had been working 'closely with the relevant authorities to minimise the impact on passengers' experience'. The Faro Airport website currently warns passengers from the UK that passport controls on arrival at Portugal 'may take up more time, as the passport will have to be stamped and there are additional questions that may be asked by the border control officers.' There is also a note to travellers saying: 'Non-Schengen flights may experience delay due to border control. We recommend arriving at the airport earlier.' But in the latest development last Thursday, Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, whose brief includes EU relations, said at the despatch box that the new UK-EU deal 'makes life easier for holidaymakers'. The Prime Minister's official spokesman added later that day: 'Yesterday, Portugal opened e-gates at Faro Airport to British citizens, which will mean millions more Brits going to the Algarve will be able to use e-gates in time for the summer holidays.' He added: 'We're obviously continuing to work with other countries and other airports to ensure Brits can use more e-gates as soon as possible and that work continues. 'It's obviously good news to see a very significant airport, I think for British holidaymakers, opening e-gates to British citizens yesterday.' When he unveiled the deal last month, Sir Keir said that 'for holidaymakers wanting to get out this summer, they will want to know that they can do so easily and without delay and chaos'. The Prime Minister called on 'all EU members states to help make this a reality without delay'. Taking a question about steps 'to improve relations with the EU', Mr Thomas–Symonds told the Commons last Thursday: 'The historic deal that we signed with the EU on May 19 is in our national interests – good for bills, borders and jobs. 'It slashes red tape and bureaucracy, boosts British exporters and makes life easier for holidaymakers. Indeed, I'm delighted to confirm this morning that Faro Airport in Portugal will start the rollout of e-gate access to UK arrivals this week.' Faro Airport (pictured) is a popular hub for British travellers visiting the Algarve on holiday The issue over British tourists queuing abroad has been described as one of the most visible impacts of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. British passports can currently be used at e-gates in the EU at only a limited number of airports in Spain and Portugal. Meanwhile the EU is planning to launch its long-delayed EES in October. This will replace the need for people arriving in the EU from non-member countries such as the UK to have their passports stamped. Instead, they will need to have their fingerprints scanned and a photograph taken to register them on a database, with the data stored for three years. But there are fears this will cause queues at EU airports, as well as at the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel's terminal in Folkestone and London's St Pancras railway station, where French border checks are carried out before people embark on cross-Channel journeys. The Government also announced last month that UK cats and dogs will be able to travel 'more easily' by 'eliminating the need for animal health certificates for every trip'. This is through the introduction of so-called pet passports.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Portugal holidaymakers given major update for summer holidays
Passengers flying into Faro airport will now face shorter queues after one big change at passport control Holidaymakers heading to Portugal this summer have been handed some good news after the government confirmed eGates at Faro Airport are now open for use by British travellers. The move comes after the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer struck a deal with EU leaders last month. It means tourists to the Algarve region can now move swiftly through the electronic gate system which will scan UK passports and replace the need for stamping them. Previously passengers had to queue for manned immigration booths to have their document stamped thanks to post- Brexit regulations. The result has been and lengthy queues and delays for thousands of Brits. Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister for EU relations, told Parliament on Thursday, June 5, that UK tourists arriving at Faro over the coming days will be able to use eGates. He said it will make 'life easier for holidaymakers '. He said: "The historic deal that we signed with the EU on May 19 is in our national interests. "Good for bills, borders and jobs. It slashes red tape and bureaucracy, boosts British exporters and makes life easier for holidaymakers. "Indeed, I'm delighted to confirm this morning that Faro Airport in Portugal will start the rollout of e-gate access to UK arrivals this week." The EU plan to introduce the Entry/Exit system (EES) in October 2025. It will mean passports no longer need to be stamped. Instead fliers will need to have their fingerprints scanned and a photograph taken to register them on a database, with the data stored for three years The UK Government website says: "If you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area using a UK passport, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints or a photo, when you arrive." It adds: "When EES is introduced, you will need to create a digital record on your first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport on arrival. "You will be required to submit your fingerprints and have your photo taken at dedicated booths." British passports can currently be used at e-gates in the EU at only a limited number of airports in Spain and Portugal. The change at Faro Airport, one of the busiest in Portugal, will be a relief to those heading to the country. There have been chaotic scenes at with pictures of of 'nightmarish' queues at passport control in recent weeks. We reported on three hour queues at the hub with fears the airport was not ready for the peak summer season. The horror queues prompted the APAL - Agência de Promoção de Albufeira, the town's tourism promotion agency - to say they had they had 'deep concern' about the long queues and delays at the airport. APAL warned that these issues jeopardised the region's image and economic health.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Major summer holiday update for Brits on when they can skip EU airport queues
Under the terms of the Labour Government's Brexit "reset" agreement with Brussels, talks are continuing on ways to "smooth border management" between the UK and EU UK holidaymakers could soon breeze through EU airport e-gates, as a minister has indicated that British travellers might be granted access to the automated border control systems in the near future. The potential move comes as part of the Labour Government's Brexit"reset" agreement with Brussels, which aims to facilitate smoother border management between the UK and the EU. Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds expressed optimism about the development on Thursday, June 5, stating: "We hope it is as soon as possible because part of the agreement is the [European] Commission saying there's no legal impediment to the use of e-gates." He emphasised the benefits of such systems, telling Euronews: "I want people who are going on their summer holiday from the UK to have the ease and use of that." The discussions around e-gate access for Brits come after the announcement of the comprehensive UK-EU agreement on May 19, which also includes commitments to defence cooperation, streamlined processes for food trade, and measures addressing irregular migration. Already, Portugal's Faro Airport has begun offering e-gate access to British citizens, with expectations from Downing Street that the technology will be widely used by British tourists, reports the Express. Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, responsible for EU relations, highlighted the benefits of the deal at the despatch box on Thursday, remarking that it "makes life easier for holidaymakers". The Prime Minister's official spokesman has rolled out some promising news for holidaymakers, announcing: "Yesterday, Portugal opened e-gates at Faro Airport to British citizens, which will mean millions more Brits going to the Algarve will be able to use e-gates in time for the summer holidays." The spokesman added: "We're obviously continuing to work with other countries and other airports to ensure Brits can use more e-gates as soon as possible and that work continues." Recounting recent positive developments, he noted: "It's obviously good news to see a very significant airport, I think for British holidaymakers, opening e-gates to British citizens yesterday." Sir Keir Starmer had previously highlighted the benefits of such agreements, stating when the deal was revealed last month: "for holidaymakers wanting to get out this summer, they will want to know that they can do so easily and without delay and chaos". The Prime Minister urged "all EU member states to help make this a reality without delay." Since Britain's EU departure, UK nationals have faced increased queues and are no longer able to use e-gates in most countries within the Schengen zone. The Government has indicated that the new aggreement will dismantle "legal barriers to e-gates use for UK nationals", coinciding with the launch of a stamp-free biometric Entry/Exit System (EES), slated for introduction in October. Addressing Parliament on fostering better relationships within the EU, Mr Thomas-Symonds told MPs: "The historic deal that we signed with the EU on May 19 is in our national interests - good for bills, borders and jobs. "It slashes red tape and bureaucracy, boosts British exporters and makes life easier for holidaymakers. Indeed, I'm delighted to confirm this morning that Faro Airport in Portugal will start the rollout of e-gate access to UK arrivals this week."
Powys County Times
5 days ago
- Powys County Times
Faro Airport to let Brits use passport e-gates for first time
A popular holiday destination in the European Union will become the first to allow British travellers to skip queues and use passport e-gates after a new UK-EU deal was struck. Faro Airport in Portugal will start this rollout ahead of the peak summer season in the Algarve. This announcement comes after a UK-EU deal where the government shared that British passport holders will be able to use e-gates at more European airports. Since Brexit, British travellers arriving at EU airports have generally been forced to queue for manned desks to have their passports stamped. @jazzyav1 📍Faro airport. Horrendous ♬ original sound - jazzyav1 This is instead of using automated gates with facial recognition technology, which has led to long waits in peak periods, The Daily Mail reports. British passports can currently be used at e-gates in the EU at only a limited number of airports in Spain and Portugal. Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister for EU relations, told Parliament today (Thursday, June 5) that UK tourists arriving at Faro over the coming days will be able to use e-gates. He said: "The historic deal that we signed with the EU on May 19 is in our national interests. "Good for bills, borders and jobs. It slashes red tape and bureaucracy, boosts British exporters and makes life easier for holidaymakers. @mammaferv_ If you're planning to take a trip to Portugal specifically Fara Airport, Ensure you bring comfortable shoes and snacks!! It took us 3 whole hours to get through passport control 👀👀 and given it was an evening flight I really just wanted food and sleep! #faroairport #portugal🇵🇹 #travel #passportcontrol #travelnightmares #travelchaos #warning #beprepared #ryanair #easyjet ♬ original sound - ✨Hard Bass Ninja 420✨ "Indeed, I'm delighted to confirm this morning that Faro Airport in Portugal will start the rollout of e-gate access to UK arrivals this week." EU plans to roll out new entry system in 2025 The EU plans to introduce a new Entry/Exit system (EES) in October 2025, which will remove the need for people from non-member countries to have their passports stamped. The UK Government website says: "If you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area using a UK passport, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints or a photo, when you arrive." It adds: "When EES is introduced, you will need to create a digital record on your first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport on arrival. "You will be required to submit your fingerprints and have your photo taken at dedicated booths. UK passport renewal guide You will not need to provide any information before travelling to a Schengen area country, and this data will be kept for three years. There are concerns this will cause queues at EU airports when first rolled out, as well as at the Port of Dover and Eurostar terminals. What countries are in the Schengen area? The countries that make up the Schengen area are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. What are the rules for travelling to the EU or Schengen area? According to the UK Government website, you do not need a visa for short trips to the EU or countries in the Schengen area if both of the following apply: Liquid rules at airports explained you're staying for 90 days or less in a 180-day period you're visiting as a tourist or for certain other reasons Other reasons include: studying a short course getting medical treatment travelling for business for your UK employer, for example to attend a business meeting or conference journalism or other media activities Recommended reading: You can travel to more than one country in a 180-day period, but how long you can stay in individual countries depends on their rules. The website adds: "Your total stay in the Schengen area must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days.
STV News
5 days ago
- Business
- STV News
Travel chaos to ease for some British holidaymakers as new e-gates open
Relief may soon be on the way for British holidaymakers, as new e-gates have been rolled out for UK arrivals at one of Portugal's most popular airports. Faro airport in Portugal's Algarve has become the first country to allow UK passport holders to use the e-gates system, after the Prime Minister agreed a deal with Brussels. Previously, travellers have had to queue to have their passports stamped when arriving in the country due to post-Brexit regulations, causing long queues and delays. Portugal's Algarve region is a popular holiday destination for British tourists. Nearly ten million British passengers travelled through Faro airport last year, about 45% of the airport's capacity, according to the prime minister's official spokesperson. Last week, Portuguese media reported delays of up to two hours at Faro airport, with large queues at passport control. On Thursday, the Minister for European Union Relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, said: 'The historic deal that we signed with the EU on May 19 is in our national interests – good for bills, borders and jobs. 'It slashes red tape and bureaucracy, boosts British exporters and makes life easier for holidaymakers. 'Indeed, I am delighted to confirm, this morning that Faro Airport in Portugal will start the rollout of e-gate access to UK arrivals this week.' Seamus McCauley, head of public affairs at travel company Holiday Extras said the move was a 'clear and positive message.' 'Faro is already the UK's fifth most popular holiday destination this year,' he told ITV News, 'So it's fantastic to see it leading the way as the first EU airport to implement our new e-gate agreement – and will mean UK nationals will be able to pass through border control quicker, spending less time in queues at the airport. 'At a time when some popular destinations are introducing tourist taxes or facing anti-visitor protests, Portugal is sending us a clear and positive message. 'UK holidaymakers are not only welcome – they're wanted. So I know where I'll be heading this summer.' The prime minister's official spokesperson said the governemnt was continuing to work with other airports in other countries, to ensure Brits could use more e-gates across Europe. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
