Portugal opens e-gates to UK tourists after Keir Starmer's EU deal slashes post-Brexit border delays
British holidaymakers will be pleased to hear that new e-gates have been rolled out for UK arrivals at one of Portugal's most popular airports.
Faro Airport, in the country's Algarve region, will be the first to allow UK passport holders to use the technology after Sir Keir Starmer struck a deal with EU leaders in Brussels.
Downing Street expects Brits to use the e-gates system in their millions, after they were previously made to wait in long queues to have their passports stamped upon arrival due to post-Brexit regulations.
The Algarve is a favoured holiday destination for UK tourists, with close to ten million travelling through Faro Airport last year.
According to the Prime Minister's official spokesperson, this total equates to about 45 per cent of the airport's capacity.
Last week, pictures of large queues at Faro Airport's passport control were seen across Portuguese media, as passengers faced delays of up to two hours.
But Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Minister for European Union Relations, hopes these images will be a thing of the past thanks to this "historic deal".
Speaking on Thursday, Mr 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."
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 member states to help make this a reality without delay".
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "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.
"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."
Faro Airport in Portugal has started the rollout of e-gate access to British arrivals, the UK Government has announced.
Downing Street expects British holidaymakers will be able to use the technology in their “millions”, after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer struck an agreement with EU leaders last month.
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, whose brief includes EU relations, said at the despatch box on Thursday that the deal “makes life easier for holidaymakers”.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “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”.
Since Brexit, UK nationals have been unable to use e-gates in most Schengen area countries.
Passengers from the UK face warnings 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”, according to the Faro Airport website.
The Government has said 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, due in October this year.
Taking a question about steps “to improve relations with the EU”, Mr Thomas–Symonds told the Commons: “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.”