Ministers Urge Europe: Open E-Gates for Britons Before Summer Exodus

Ministers are pleading with European nations to permit Britons to utilize e-gates ahead of the summer vacations as the agreement is still pending. agreed with Brussels won't begin quickly enough.

Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to European counterparts including Greece encouraging them to permit British citizens to utilize e-gates 'immediately'.

In a letter addressed to Greece’s deputy foreign minister, he stated: “Greece would do us a great favor by granting access to e-gates wherever these are provided at the borders as quickly as possible, even temporarily for now.”

Mr Thomas-Symonds added: "The ability to utilize e-gates at Greece's airports would serve as a substantial emblem of the camaraderie between our two nations."

Announcing his reboot with Brussels, Sir Keir Starmer mentioned that enabling British travelers to utilize European electronic gates was a crucial component of the agreement.

The Government said there would not be any legal barriers to British travellers using more e-passport gates in EU countries.

The Prime Minster said: ‘This partnership helps British holidaymakers, who will be able to use e-gates when they travel to Europe, ending those huge queues at passport control.’

But the Association of British Travel Agents has said the deal ‘won’t impact this summer’.

British tourists are expected to have to endure passport-stamping queues in most EU countries until at least October and possibly well into 2026 as the e-gates implementation will be phased.

Hence, ministers began requesting each country individually to permit earlier usage of their e-gates.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel stated: "The Prime Minister has deceived the British public once more."

The assertion he happily shared on Monday stating that British tourists would gain advantages from his EU withdrawal deal by using e-gates during their travels to Europe was merely yet another outright falsehood attributed to Starmer.

Here are the details: Europe has emulated Britain by implementing an electronic entry and exit system, which has been in development for several years and is scheduled to be launched comprehensively in October.

'It is true that certain airports currently permit UK passport holders to utilize e-gates, and this recent accord does not ensure any additional benefits.'

'Every EU nation has the autonomy to make individual decisions, which means there’s no guarantee, no set schedule, and no tangible improvements assured.'

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