Overview

• Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to EU nations, including Greece, requesting immediate access to e-gates for British tourists.
• The UK-EU agreement allows British nationals to use e-gates without physical passport checks, but full implementation may extend into 2026.
• The government highlights the use of e-gates as a symbol of strengthened UK-EU cooperation and improved travel convenience.
• Critics, including the opposition and the Association of British Travel Agents, argue the agreement will not significantly impact summer 2025 travel.
• The agreement also includes enhanced border security measures, such as access to facial image data to combat irregular migration and international crime.