Latest news with #NickThomas-Symonds
Daily Record
2 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
3 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
3 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
3 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
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Faro Airport to let Brits use passport e-gates for first time
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. 📍Faro airport. Horrendous 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. "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 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. 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. 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. 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: Other reasons include: Recommended reading: Why are passports different colours and what does each colour mean? How to claim compensation for flight delays and cancellations Does buying from duty free at the airport save you money and how does it work? 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. "It does not matter how many countries you visit. The 180-day period keeps 'rolling'."
