Top European holiday destination to let British travellers skip lengthy passport queues this summer
HOLIDAYMAKERS heading to Portugal will face shorter airport queues THIS WEEK with Brits able to use e-gates.
The sunshine destination will become the first country to allow UK passport holders to use the system since Sir Keir Starmer struck a deal with Brussels.
Travellers have had to queue to have their passports stamped when arriving for their break since the UK left the European Union – often leading to long queues.
Around 2.5 million people head to Portugal each year with more with 300,000 heading to the Algarve. Around 50,000 Brits live in the country.
It has now been confirmed that holidaymakers heading to Faro airport will be able to use the hi-tech system.
Europe relations Minister 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’m delighted to confirm this morning that Faro Airport in Portugal will start the rollout of e-gate access to UK arrivals this week.”
Only last month, EU relations minister Thomas-Symonds strongly hinted that Brits will face less time waiting at border control.
He said: “I would love to see you being able to go through the border more quickly in that way.
“That’s certainly something we’ve been pushing with the EU and I think that will be something that will be very helpful to British people.”
The Prime Minister revealed details of Brits using e-gates during the first summit between Britain and the European Union.
But the use of e-gates had to be given the green light by individual countries.
The PM came under fire by explicitly saying that ““Brits travelling to Europe will now be able to use e-gates”.