The rules apply for trips to Spain, Greece, France and other EU countries
14:35, 07 Jul 2025Updated 14:35, 07 Jul 2025
People are being urged to check their passports (Image: Derek Blair/AFP/Getty Images)
London Luton Airport is warning holidaymakers to check their passports now, or risk being turned away from flights. It comes as British travellers heading to EU countries now face different regulations, after Brexit.
An update issued from the airport’s official account on X, formerly Twitter, earlier today reads: “Travelling in the EU? You’ll need to renew your passport if there’s under three months on your passport while travelling [and/or] your passport is 10 years old or more when you enter an EU country”.
While the advice comes from Luton Airport, the rules are the same no matter where you fly from, if you’re travelling with a British passport. If your travel document does not meet these requirements, you’ll likely be turned away by airline staff.
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If you’re heading abroad soon, make sure to double-check your passport well before jetting off, as renewing one can take time. His Majesty’s (HM) Passport Office indicates that processing and delivery of a fresh or replacement passport currently takes around three weeks.
However, it can take longer “if we need more information, or we need to interview you”. Should any issues arise, the Passport Office will get in touch with you directly.
Since April of this year, a new or replacement adult passport (that is, someone aged 16 or above) costs £94.50 when applying online, or £107 if using the paper form. For children these prices ate £61.50 or £74, respectively.
If you need a passport urgently, you can use the Premium Service (one day) but this will set you back £222 for an adult passport, or £189 for a child’s.
Failing to carry out one check before flying could scupper your holiday plans.
An expert warned you need to check “one thing” before you go on your summer holiday(Image: Getty)
An expert has warned Brits planning a holiday abroad to do one thing or risk having their summer plans ruined. Consumer journalist Alice Beer urged travellers to check their passport in advance.
This includes checking it for any potential damage as well as its expiry date. This needs to be done as soon as possible to allow time for a replacement travel document to arrive.
Speaking on ITV’s This Morning, Alice explained: “If you’re planning on making the most of the school holidays and getting out of here, the minute your kids break up, you have got to do one thing and check your passport. Not just your passport, all the family’s passports and you’re checking for some really key things.”
If your passport is damaged you could get turned away at the airport. HM Passport Office will consider your passport damaged if:
You cannot read any of your details
Any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing
There are holes, cuts or rips in the cover
The cover is coming away
There are stains on the pages (for example, ink or water damage)
Alice continued: “One, check they’re not damaged. I saw someone on Instagram whose airline had stuck the luggage tag on the photo page of their passport, when they came to peel it off it damaged it.
Some countries require your passport to be valid for months after your holiday(Image: Getty)
“And she didn’t know, is this good to fly, is this not? So she spent a week, she got the fast turnaround passport. Cost her a couple of hundred quid, just in case.”
On top of potential passport damage you need to be looking at its expiration date. Alice said: “So, you’re looking for how many months have I got to run, how many months do I need on my passport to go where I’m going, you’ll find that on the Government website.”
Some countries require that your passport has at least another three or six months left on it by the end of your holiday. Before flying you should therefore check the individual requirements of each country.
However, some countries, including in the EU, don’t accept a passport that is more than 10 years old. “Is my passport, more than 10 years old?” Alice said.
“This keeps coming up, time and time again. If you renewed your passport, and you’ve got a carry over of extra months, you might find your passport is currently more than 10 years old.
“That will not get you entry into some countries and you’ll simply turned down at the gate. So check your passports, check everyone’s passports for damage and for validity.”
A standard passport renewal takes around three weeks. You can apply either online or via the post.
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Online passport application
To apply online, visit gov.uk/apply-renew-passport. Key requirements include a digital photograph, a valid payment method (credit or debit card), and the old passport for renewal applications. Additionally, applicants must provide proof of identity and citizenship.
The application fee for adults stands at £94.50, while children’s passports cost £61.50.
For those requiring assistance with the online application, local Post Office branches are available to offer support. Their staff are equipped to:
Capture your digital photo
Assist with completing the application online
However, be aware that this service incurs an additional charge.
For postal applications
You can get a paper passport application from a nearby Post Office to apply by post. Keep in mind, applying via post generally takes more time than submitting an application online.
You are required to dispatch a fully completed application form along with your supporting documents, two photographs, and the necessary fee.
Post Office team members can assist in ensuring your form is accurately filled out – though you must supply your own photos. Note that this service will cost you extra. Payments can be made with cash, or through debit or credit card transactions.
Fast-track applications
If three weeks is cutting it too close with your holiday, there are two ways to apply for an urgent passport.
GOV.UK says: “You can pay to get a passport urgently if you think the standard service will take too long.” For both of these options you will need to go to a passport office for an appointment:
One day premium – This service costs £222 (or £235 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport)
One week fast track – £178 for an adult passport (or £191 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport), or £145 for a child passport (or £158 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport)
Spain is the most popular holiday destination for Brits, but there are new rules to be aware of if you are travelling in 2022 – including passport rules and EHIC cards
When planning a Spanish holiday, or any international trip, it’s crucial to stay informed about current regulations and entry criteria(Image: Drazen Zigic via Getty Images)
Spain remains the top holiday choice for UK travellers, with millions flocking there annually to bask in the sunshine, explore its vibrant cities, and savour authentic Spanish dishes. This year looks set to follow the same pattern, with travel industry insiders forecasting a record-breaking summer for overseas getaways.
When planning a Spanish holiday, or any international trip, it’s crucial to stay informed about current regulations and entry criteria. This has become especially vital following the post-Brexit changes that have been implemented.
For example, Spain, alongside other Schengen zone countries, now mandates that UK passport holders must have passports with a “date of issue” within 10 years of their arrival date. Additionally, passports must remain valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure date from the Schengen area, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Millions of people travel to Spain each year(Image: F.J. Jimenez via Getty Images)
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) states: “Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.”
British passport holders are permitted to enter Spain and the broader Schengen region for holidays, family visits, business purposes, cultural or sporting events, or short-term educational programmes, for up to 90 days within any 180-day timeframe. Upon arrival, your passport will be stamped, and it’s crucial to ensure you get another stamp when leaving.
If not, it could appear as though you overstayed the 90-day limit, potentially causing issues if you attempt to re-enter the Schengen area later in the year.
To enter Spain, you might need to present a return or onward ticket, proof of sufficient funds for your stay, travel insurance documentation, and confirmation of your hotel booking or proof of address if you’re staying at your own property. If you’re lodging with others, such as family or friends, an invitation or proof of their address may be necessary.
Importing meat, milk or products containing them into Spain is prohibited, with exceptions for items like powdered infant milk, baby food, and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons. Moreover, if you’re carrying cash or travellers cheques amounting to 10,000 euros or more, you must declare it to the authorities.
After declaring, you’ll receive a certified document indicating that the money was brought with you. Failure to produce this document could result in your money being confiscated upon departure.
An acclaimed travel expert has warned Brits to check their passports before heading to the airport this summer, after swathes of travellers are still being caught out by a little-known rule
Brits should check their passports are still ‘in date’(Image: Getty Images)
Brits heading on holiday this year have been issued a stark passport warning, even if their document is still technically ‘in date’. Swathes of passengers are still being caught out by a little-known rule that came into effect after the UK left the European Union (EU) which could leave you being denied boarding.
Simon Calder, The Independent’s travel expert, recently issued a warning ahead of the ‘peak holiday season’ – stating: “A number of people will be turning up to airports across the UK with their passport and very sadly finding out that they are not allowed onboard because they have inadvertently breached the passport validity tiles.”
The ace explained that the UK negotiated for Brits to be classed as ‘third country nationals’ following Brexit, ‘just like people from Venezuela’. “British passports can be issued for more than 10 years,” Simon added. “But, if you’re trying to get into the EU and wider Schengen area you cannot get into those countries after your passport is 10 years old.”
Don’t get caught out by the sneaky passport rules this summer(Image: Getty Images)
So, if you’re jetting off to the likes of Spain or Greece this summer, make sure your passport hasn’t passed its ’10th birthday’. You’ll also need to ensure your passport has at least three months remaining from the day you intend to return from the EU (aka the last day of your holiday).
If you’re travelling to the Schengen zone, which consists of 29 countries including Sweden, Luxembourg, Finland, Czech Republic, and Denmark – the rules are even tighter. Earlier this year, a British artist was denied boarding by Norwegian airline as her passport was issued ‘more than nine years and nine months ago’.
As previously reported, her passport’s date of issue was June 13, 2015 – and it is due to expire in August – meaning she meets both criteria laid out by the EU. However, after trying to check-in at the airport, she was directed to a staff member who stated the passport was invalid as the Schengen does not recognise ‘extensions of 10-year passports’.
The anonymous artist claims she lost around £700, and was forced to spend hundreds of pounds on an emergency passport renewal and replacement flight. According to the Guardian, the Copenhagen police department stood by its decision – and confirmed that once a passport is nine years and nine months old from the date of issue – it is invalid.
How much is a new passport?
If you’re worried your passport will be invalid by the time you fly, it might be worth renewing the document. On April 10, the fee for a standard online application made from within the UK increased from £88.50 to £94.50 for adults and £57.50 to £61.50 for children. Postal applications also increased from £100 to £107 for adults and £69 to £74 for children.
If you’re in a rush, you can pay for a Premium Service (one day) application. If this is made in the UK, it will now cost you £222 for adults and £189 for children. Overseas standard paper applications have also increased from £112.50 to £120.50 for adults and £77 to £82.50 for children.
“The new fees will help the Home Office to continue to move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation,” the government said. “The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.”
A woman was left almost crying as she was told she may not be able to make her journey to Paris as there was something wrong with her passport – but she had no idea there was a problem
11:56, 28 Jun 2025Updated 11:56, 28 Jun 2025
There was an issue with her passport (stock Image)(Image: Getty Images/Image Source)
A woman was left almost sobbing as she realised she’d made a big passport mistake when she was travelling from Sydney to Paris. Jane Lu was trying to board her flight with a passport she’d recently used on two trips to America when she was told that she may not be able to fly due to there being something wrong with it.
Over the top of the video, she wrote: “Help?! Has anyone ever had this happen?” as she explained the situation to her followers. Jane explained that she couldn’t get onto her flight because staff told her her passport was invalid due to “water damage”.
“They’re saying that I’m flying by China, and they might not let me through, and Paris might not let me through, but I’ve already flown twice with this passport to the US,” she seethed, almost in tears.
She said that because she’d gone to America twice on the passport when it was damaged, she “didn’t think it would be a problem”.
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In a follow-up video, Jane explained that she had to “sign a waiver” that said if she got turned away in Paris, she’d have to make the journey back to Australia, so she was nervous about what would happen, because she had an over-24-hour journey ahead of her.
She said that she hoped they’d be “super chill” as she arrived in Paris, and it turned out they were, as she managed to get in and could complete her business trip successfully.
In the comments, someone wrote: “I think the people at the check-in in Australia are just way too thorough. This happened to my sister. They told her she had to board the flight at her own risk as her passport had a water stain. But when we landed in Singapore, they did not even notice”.
Another defended the airport, however, saying “border security is paramount”. A woman warned her to “apply for a new passport” and to ensure she “keeps it perfect,” rather than allowing it to get water-damaged.
“What I wanna know, how do SO many people get water damage on their passports? Are ya’all taking them for a swim?” someone fumed.
A travel agent shared her advice, penning: “Travel agent here – a passport is a legal document, so, therefore, it must not have any damage. If an airline sends you to a place and you are denied entry, they receive a massive fine.
“Also, you can be detained on arrival for having a damaged passport. Much better to be denied here than to be put in jail or be turned around at the other end. If it’s damaged, it needs to be replaced.
“Some countries take this pretty seriously. I had a customer detained when their family went overseas and their kid spilt water on their passport and risked it. It’s not about intention, it’s about being safe”.
According to My British Passport, if a passport is too damaged, then the owner of the passport may not be able to fly. They share that the extent of the damage determines whether it can still be used.
Minor wear and tear might be acceptable, but if the passport cannot be read or the chip is damaged, boarding may be denied.
According to the Post Office, the HM Passport Office classifies a passport as damaged if the following conditions are met: the details are indecipherable, the laminate has lifted enough to allow the possibility of photo substitution and the bio-data page is discoloured.
One of the UK’s busiest airports has resorted to issuing a seemingly bizarre warning after unveiling its new e-gates, as the hub continues with its major £100m regeneration scheme
The airport has sparked confusion online following a now-viral TikTok video(Image: Matthew Lofthouse SWNS)
A long-awaited revamp to a tiny UK airport has resulted in a rather strange passport warning being issued to Brits.
Earlier this month, Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) revealed it had completed the first phase of its ambitious terminal expansion project, which is slated to cost a whopping £100 million. The upgrade boasts a host of new facilities including additional seating, two new lounges, an improved baggage reclaim area, and an upgraded passport control area.
The new terminal, which all arriving and departing passengers will go through, has 83 per cent more seating, a range of food and drink offerings including a Burger King and a new bar, as well as a brand new Six Eight One Premium Lounge. LBA chief executive officer Vincent Hodder said it was the ‘first major improvement to our terminal since its opening in 1968 and is long overdue’.
The refurb was first announced back in 2018(Image: Leeds Bradford Airport)
Details of the refurbishment were first announced back in 2018 as part of bold plans to create a new terminal at the south end of the runway. However, the original blueprints were axed several years later due to ‘excessive delays’. Buildings for the new extension then started in 2023.
Part of the upgrade also includes new e-gates – which have appeared to have sparked confusion online. In a recent TikTok video, LBA showed off the machines, which require passengers to scan their boarding pass before being allowed through automatic gates, stating: “Do you hear that? You don’t need your passport. You don’t need your passport. You don’t need your passport.”
The terminal now boasts 83 per cent more seating(Image: Leeds Bradford Airport)
LBA captioned the post: “You only need your boarding card (paper or digital) to go through our e-gates, NOT your passport!” However, some viewers misconstrued the post into thinking they no longer need to bring their passports along to the airport at all.
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“How would one get back [to the UK] if one never took a passport?” one person commented. Another wrote: “Oh this ain’t going to go down well when people start turning up without passports,” while a third pointed out: “Bold move from the graphic design team.” Others criticised the airport for relying on the ‘common sense’ of the public to understand the post properly.
The airport clarified in the comments section, that travellers ‘obviously’ do need a passport to leave the country, and that the post was explicitly referencing the e-gates. In a separate video, the hub joked about the confusion with a video captioned: “Can’t believe we’ve got to say this but please don’t try [and] travel without your passport…”
Speaking to the Mirror about the humorous TikTok videos, a spokesperson for LBA said: “It’s often best to take a light-hearted approach with some of the more routine airport processes that help us ensure customers are prepped and ready to travel in the best possible way. We’ve recently shared some light-heartedcontent to help customers use our newly installed security e-gates as well as responding to customers wanting to smoke after security.
“For most, travelling through an airport is a fun time. We want to ensure customers have the necessary information to help make their journey run as smoothly as possible.”
Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured.
June 17 (UPI) — A federal judge in Massachusetts on Tuesday expanded an order against the State Department’s passport policy to include all applicants who are transgender or nonbinary, saying the “passport policy violates their constitutional right to equal protection of the laws.”
Judge Julia Kobick granted a first preliminary injunction in April, which blocked the State Department’s policy for only six of seven people who originally sued. On Tuesday, the judge expanded it to plaintiffs who were added to the suit, and nearly all trans and nonbinary Americans seeking new passports or changes.
Kobick, an appointee of former President Biden, wrote that the six named plaintiffs and the new class of plaintiffs “face the same injury: they cannot obtain a passport with a sex designation that aligns with their gender identity.”
“The plaintiffs have demonstrated that they are likely to succeed on the merits of their claims that the Passport Policy violates their constitutional right to equal protection of the laws and runs afoul of the safeguards of the APA,” Kobick wrote in Tuesday’s opinion, while referring to the Administrative Procedure Act which governs how policies are adopted.
After taking office earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order, proclaiming the United States recognizes only two sexes — male and female — and that those sexes “are not changeable.” Trump then ordered government-issued identification documents, including U.S. passports, to reflect a person’s sex at birth.
“We will no longer issue U.S. passports or Consular Reports of Birth Abroad with an X marker,” according the State Department. “We will only issue passports with an M or F sex marker that match the customer’s biological sex at birth.”
Under the Biden administration, passport holders could self-select gender designation, including “unspecified” which was designated by the letter X.
The Trump administration appealed Kobick’s ruling in April. On Tuesday, Kobick wrote that forcing transgender and nonbinary people to choose between two sexes makes them more vulnerable to discrimination.
“Absent preliminary injunctive relief, these plaintiffs may effectively be forced to out themselves as transgender or non-binary every time they present their passport,” Kobick wrote.
The legal director at the ACLU of Massachusetts celebrated Tuesday’s ruling and vowed to “continue to fight.”
“This decision acknowledges the immediate and profound negative impact that the Trump administration’s passport policy has on the ability of people across the country to travel for work, school and family,” Jessie Rossman, legal director at the ACLU of Massachusetts, said in a statement.
“The Trump administration’s passport policy attacks the foundations of the right to privacy and the freedom for all people to live their lives safely and with dignity,” Rossman added. “We will continue to fight to stop this unlawful policy once and for all.”
Swathes of Brits have been stung by a post-Brexit passport rule that has sparked mass confusion – and resulted in passengers being denied boarding, despite having documentation that is still ‘in date’
Brits are still being caught out by the 2018 shakeup(Image: Getty Images)
Brits jetting off across Europe this summer risk being turned away at the gate – even if their passport is still ‘in-date’. Swathes of disgruntled passengers are still being caught out by a sneaky post-Brexit rule that could completely sabotage your next holiday. Even with soaring prices, it might be worth renewing your passport now – rather than risk being denied to fly at the airport.
According to reports, around half a dozen Brits were being turned away every single day at one UK airport due to the way the passport rules – which many feel are extremely unclear – were being applied. So, here’s everything you need to know about travelling across Europe this summer, and when you should renew your passport.
Make sure your passport meets strict Schengen rules(Image: Getty Images)
“If you are a national from a country outside the EU wishing to visit or travel within the EU, you will need a valid passport and possibly a visa,” explains the European Union. “Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU and it must have been issued within the last 10 years.”
To clarify, this means your passport must have been issued within the previous 10 years on the day that you enter an EU country. It must also be valid until the end of your stay, plus an additional three months.
However, one British artist was denied boarding by Norwegian airlines on March 23 as her passport was issued ‘more than nine years and nine months ago’. Her passport’s date of issue was June 13, 2015 – and it is due to expire in August – meaning she meets both criteria laid out by the EU.
“Upon arriving at check-in, the automated system directed me to the desk,” she said. “The staff member consulted a colleague, who stated my passport was invalid because it was issued more than nine years and nine months ago. But there is no such rule. This decision demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the actual entry requirements.”
The anonymous artist claims she lost around £700, and had to spend hundreds of pounds on an emergency passport renewal and replacement flight. According to the Guardian, The Copenhagen police department stood by its decision – and confirmed that once a passport is nine years and nine months old from the date of issue – it is invalid – as the Schengen does not recognise ‘extensions of 10-year-passports’.
Prior to October 2018, Brits renewing their passports could add up to nine extra months from their previous passport on to the expiry date. But post-Brexit, and EU countries are refusing to accept passports that have been issued more than 10 years ago altogether.
How much is a new passport?
Passport fees increased last month (April, 10) meaning a standard online application made from within the UK rose from £88.50 to £94.50 for adults and £57.50 to £61.50 for children. Postal applications also increased from £100 to £107 for adults and £69 to £74 for children.
According to GOV UK, the fee for a Premium Service (one day) application made from within in the UK is now £222 for adults and £189 for children, while overseas standard paper applications increased from £112.50 to £120.50 for adults and £77 to £82.50 for children.
“The new fees will help the Home Office to continue to move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation.,” the government added. “The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.”
Have you been stung by the passport change? Email [email protected] for a chance to share your story
ITV presenter and financial expert Martin Lewis illuminated three important checks that Brits should make ahead of the holiday season
Different countries have varying rules concerning passport expiry dates(Image: Getty Images)
Martin Lewis has urged Brits to make three crucial checks if they plan to holiday abroad this summer. The financial specialist, 53, said it all comes down to the dates on your passport and ensuring you have the right documents before heading off.
Speaking on an episode of ITV’s Martin Lewis Money Show, he said: “Now, I need to say something very important to everybody. Border control and flight checks are getting more stringent.
“There is an immigration issue going on around the world, and that means countries are getting stricter on who they let in. So, you need to be more diligent with your checks.”
First and foremost, Martin advised travellers to check the expiry dates on passports. If you have less than six months left, this could pose a big problem.
For various countries, including Australia, China, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates, your passport must be valid for at least six months from your entry date. Tourists in European and Schengen countries must also have a passport valid for at least three months after their planned return date.
However, even if your passport is valid for seven months or longer, you may still be denied entry if you do not meet another essential rule. For many nations, including European countries, a passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the holiday departure date.
Brits are advised to check the expiry dates of their passports before heading to the airport(Image: Getty Images)
Martin continued: “If your passport is over 10 years old, many countries won’t let you in. Now, how can it be over 10 years old? Because it used to be that when you renewed, if you had any spare time on your old passport, they could add that on top.
“So, you might have… 10 years, 10 months, and that can bar you too. So, you need to do both of those checks. Now, if you have done those checks, if there is a ‘yes’ to either of those, then the safest thing is to renew before you go.”
The most affordable way to obtain a passport is online through the Government’s website, costing £12.50 less than postal applications. Typically, the passport arrives in three weeks, although it may take longer if additional information or an interview is required.
In emergencies, travellers also have the option to apply for an urgent passport using the Government’s one-day premium service or one-week fast track scheme. Both schemes are subject to different criteria and cost more than the standard service.
In light of these rules, Martin continued: “If I was seven, eight or nine months away and the rule was six months, I’d probably play safe and get a new passport first anyway, so that I’ve got more on it, because it’s been so tricky.
“And it’s very similar if you are travelling to the USA or passing through the USA, you need to sort your ESTA now. There is heightened border security in the States. If you don’t have, this is your sort of online visa if you like, without one people are being denied entry. You need to be careful.”
Getting a passport usually takes three weeks, though it can take longer if extra information is needed(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
How can I get a passport urgently?
Option 1: One-day premium
The one-day premium option is for adults renewing an existing passport. Online applicants pay £222 or £235 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport. Following each application, an appointment will be scheduled, with the earliest booking available two days later.
The Government explains: “You’ll need to hand in your old passport at your appointment. Your new passport will be ready to collect from the passport office four hours after your appointment.”
Option 2: One-week fast track
This alternative option is also available for anyone looking to renew their passport, as well as in these specific circumstances:
You need to get a child’s passport
You need to replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport
You need to change the personal details on a passport (your name, place of birth or gender)
The fast track option is more economical, priced at £178 for an adult passport (£191 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport) and £145 for a child passport (or £158 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport). You can schedule an appointment as soon as the day after you submit your application. Typically, the passport arrives about a week later.
Importantly, you are ineligible to apply for either service if you are outside the UK or applying for your first adult passport. The Government also adds: “If you’ve already applied for a passport and have not received it yet, do not pay for an urgent passport.
“You will not get your passport sooner and you will be charged a £32 admin fee for each additional application.”
Holidaymakers with UK passports are facing a major change at airports after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer outlined the terms of the UK’s new ‘EU reset deal’ – and it could come into effect this year
15:08, 20 May 2025Updated 15:11, 20 May 2025
It is thought the change could come into force in the coming months (stock image)(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
A major change affecting holidaymakers with British passports is set to come into effect. Sir Keir Starmer announced the news as part of what he described as a ‘common sense’ deal with the EU, reached nine years after the UK first voted to leave the European Union.
Starmer described the deal as a “win-win” as he shook hands with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in London on Monday (May 19). “Britain is back on the world stage,” he declared. “[The deal] gives us unprecedented access to the EU market, the best of any country… all while sticking to the red lines in our manifesto.”
Since Brexit, British passport holders have been considered “visa-exempt third-country nationals” and have generally had to queue for manual checks at border control to have their passport stamped.
Brits were able to use e-gates at a limited number of airports in Spain and Portugal.
However, the EU has now agreed to ease checks on British travellers more universally.
The deal states that “there will be no legal barriers to e-gate use for British nationals travelling to and from European Union.”
When will I be able to use e-gates?
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It has not yet been confirmed when the changes will come into effect.
However, the EU plans to launch its new Entry/Exit System (EES) in October 2025, replacing the need for non-EU citizens to have their passports stamped. It is thought that more EU airports will allow UK passengers to use the e-gates after the new system comes into effect.
The system will require travellers to have their fingerprints scanned and a photograph taken so they can be registered to a database. Their data will then be stored for three years.
Those who do not provide a fingerprint scan and photo will be denied entry.
Some EU airports will still require additional checks and Brits may not be able to use e-gates here.
Brits will also still be subject to the ’90-day rule’, whereby eligible non-EU citizens can spend 90 days in any 180-day period in the EU without a visa.
Travel records will be digitised under the new EES to enforce this rule and increase border security.
The ‘landmark deal’ is also expected to “lower food prices at checkouts”, improve UK defence and put “more money in people’s pockets,” according to Starmer. Von der Leyen described it as “a historic moment […] opening a new chapter in our unique relationship.”
A deal that would allow UK passport holders to use EU e-gates at airports is being “pushed for”, a government minister has confirmed.
European relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, who is leading negotiations ahead of a UK-EU summit in London, said an agreement to stop people being stuck in border queues “would be a very sensible objective”.
Asked whether the UK would have to follow more EU rules in some areas as part of any deals, he told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg “it will mean taking a sovereign choice as to… the common standards we wish to align”.
Conservative MP Alex Burghart claimed the government’s proposed deal with the EU could mean the UK becoming a “rule taker”.
The UK and EU will hold their first bilateral summit since Brexit on Monday, described by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as a “really significant moment”.
Sir Keir is expected to announce a deal when he meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.
Announcements around trade and security have been expected to include British access to a 150 billion euro (£125 billion) EU defence fund, in what could be a boost for UK defence companies.
But reports suggest there could also be agreements on allowing British travellers to use e-gates at European airports, cutting red tape on food exports and imports, and setting up a youth mobility scheme with the EU.
Describing talks as in “the very final hours”, Thomas-Symonds said he was driven by “ruthless pragmatism” and focused on jobs, lower household bills and stronger borders.
The minister also said the government would assess whether to contribute money to EU projects on a case-by-case basis, saying it would “consider each one on its merits”.
Asked whether he was confident British travellers would be able to use EU e-gates at European airports, Thomas-Symonds said: “I’m certainly pushing for people to be able to go through far more quickly.
“I think we can all agree that not being stuck in queues and having more time to spend, whether it’s on holiday or work trips, having more time to do what you want … would be a very sensible objective.”
The minister said he was confident about a deal on food, but added “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”.
He added: “We know we’ve had lorries waiting for 16 hours, fresh food in the back not able to be exported because frankly it’s just going off, red tape, all the certifications that are required, we absolutely want to reduce that.”
Burghart told the programme his main concern was the government signing up to EU standards and becoming “a rule taker – one of the things we specifically left behind when we left the EU”.
He said the government had not ruled out “dynamic alignment”, which would see the UK and EU maintain equivalent regulatory standards on food and trade, despite the UK not being “in the room” when future decisions are taken.
He added: “As the government hasn’t ruled that out we have to assume it’s very firmly on the table and is about to happen.
“And if it is about to happen, then that is a surrender of some of Britain’s sovereignty and we won’t stand for it”.
On a deal around whether young people from the EU can come to live and work in the UK and vice versa, Thomas-Symonds insisted he was negotiating around “a smart and controlled scheme”, adding “nobody is remotely suggesting that’s freedom of movement. That’s a red line for us”.
The minister did not respond directly to questioning on whether there would be a cap on numbers or time-limited visas, such as in existing schemes with Australia and Canada,but did stress “that control element is hugely important”.
He also denied there were plans to exempt student numbers from overall migration figures and added “anything agreed – and I stress this is in sensitive final hours – will be consistent with reducing the level of net migration as we’ve promised”.
Appearing on the same programme, Liberal Democrat MP Calum Miller said he was “troubled by the sense the government isn’t seizing this moment, in the context of a changed environment, to really go further” on EU relations.
The party’s spokesperson for foreign affairs said “setting ourselves on an ambitious path towards a customs union is the best way to give some certainty to British businesses”.
Miller also claimed removing red tape between the UK and EU could be worth £25bn, and a customs union could increase the revenue further.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage claimed an EU deal that included a youth mobility scheme and extending fishing rights for the EU in British waters would mean that “to a large extent, Starmer will be betraying Brexit” and he would “get rid of it” if he was prime minister.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House, Farage said a youth mobility scheme would be “free movement of people to the under 30s” and “we know that’ll be a one-way street – way more people will come here than will go in the other direction”.
Farage suggested a deal on defence would mean “we’re going to see by the looks of it British soldiers under an EU flag” before adding “EU cooperation absolutely, under an EU flag, no”.
