LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — June 2025
British travellers heading to Europe this summer are set for smoother journeys, thanks to a major update from 18 European nations that have reinstated eGate access for UK passport holders. With more than 49 major airports and border crossings now welcoming Brits through automated passport gates, Europe is signalling that it is ready to embrace UK tourists once again.
This move is being hailed as a breakthrough in post-Brexit travel cooperation and comes just in time for what’s predicted to be one of the busiest travel seasons in over a decade. From Lisbon to Rome, Amsterdam to Budapest, UK holidaymakers are now reaping the benefits of streamlined border control—saving time, avoiding long queues, and enhancing the overall travel experience.
Reopening the Fast Track: Which Countries Have Reinstated eGates?
The expanded eGate access spans a broad network of airports and border crossings across the EU and beyond. UK passport holders can now use eGates at:
- France: Paris Charles de Gaulle, Orly, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nice
- Italy: Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Venice, Naples, Florence, Bologna, Pisa, Turin, Cagliari, Catania, Palermo and more
- Spain: Alicante, Mallorca, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Ibiza
- Portugal: Lisbon, Faro
- Germany: EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (also serving France)
- Belgium: Brussels Airport
- Netherlands: Amsterdam Schiphol (exit only)
- Ireland: Dublin
- Cyprus: Larnaca, Paphos
- Hungary: Budapest
- Czech Republic: Prague (Terminal 1)
- Finland: Helsinki
- Bulgaria: Sofia
- Estonia: Tallinn (from 2026)
- Eurotunnel & Eurostar: Folkestone, Calais, Eurostar at London St Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord
A Reset in UK-EU Tourism Relations
This border policy shift follows years of travel friction after Brexit and the pandemic-induced restrictions. The reintroduction of eGates is more than a logistical upgrade—it is a symbolic reset of UK-EU tourism relations.
Tourism stakeholders across Europe have lobbied for smoother entry protocols, recognising the UK as a key source market. Pre-Brexit, UK residents took more than 40 million trips annually to the EU. With travel demand now soaring again, the decision to ease access for Brits is both strategic and timely.
Summer 2025: A Boom in British Bookings
The timing couldn’t be better. Airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and British Airways have ramped up their summer schedules, with routes to Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy selling out weeks in advance. Hoteliers across the Mediterranean are reporting strong bookings from the UK market, and tour operators are adjusting packages to include lesser-known eGate-ready destinations like Sofia, Prague, and Tallinn.
The ability to skip manual passport checks means more time enjoying and less time waiting, which enhances traveller satisfaction and boosts local economies reliant on tourism.
What Travellers Need to Know Now
Despite the convenience of eGates, UK nationals must remain mindful of key regulations. Until Europe’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) launches in October 2025, passports must still be stamped upon entry and exit in locations without biometric systems.
The EES will eventually use facial recognition and fingerprint scans to log non-EU visitors, replacing the manual stamp system. Until then, travellers should:
- Track their days spent in the Schengen Zone to stay within the 90/180-day limit
- Ensure passport validity meets EU entry requirements (typically valid for at least three months after departure)
- Be aware of specific entry rules in non-Schengen countries like Ireland or Cyprus
Economic Impact and Industry Response
Tourism boards across Europe have welcomed the policy update. Visit Portugal, France.fr, and Italy’s ENIT have all launched marketing campaigns targeted at British travellers, emphasising ease of travel and safety.
Meanwhile, travel tech providers are working with airports to upgrade and expand biometric infrastructure, ensuring faster transitions as more travellers adopt digital identity verification.
“This is a significant win for the UK travel market,” said a spokesperson from ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents). “We expect a surge in demand and a renewed sense of confidence among holidaymakers planning European getaways.”
Looking Ahead: Beyond the eGate
As UK tourists once again feel welcomed across the continent, the broader message is clear: European travel for Brits is back on track—with enhanced convenience, stronger cooperation, and renewed enthusiasm on both sides.
For the travel industry, this moment marks the beginning of a new tourism chapter, one that values efficiency, partnership, and people-first experiences. As automated border technology evolves and the EES system goes live, we may soon see an entirely frictionless journey for UK travellers in Europe.
Conclusion
Whether it’s sipping wine in Tuscany, sunbathing in the Algarve, or exploring the cobbled streets of Prague, British travellers can now do it all—faster and easier than they have in years. With 49 airports and border hubs ready to fast-track their journeys, the message from Europe is loud and clear: UK holidaymakers are welcome—and they won’t have to wait in line to know it.
Now’s the time to book that trip, renew that passport, and enjoy the return of seamless European holidays. The fast lane is open.
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