Rapid Airport Access for Brits Expands to Another European Nation
In a significant development for travel between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Germany has agreed to allow some arriving UK airline passengers to use passport e-gates at its airports starting by the end of August 2025. This access will initially be limited to frequent travellers.
The decision forms part of the introduction of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), a long-awaited border control technology. This system, first proposed in 2016, is expected to be fully implemented in October 2025.
Since Brexit, UK travellers arriving at EU airports have generally been forced to queue for manned desks to have their passports stamped rather than use the automated gates. However, recent developments indicate a change in this scenario.
All UK nationals will be able to use the e-gates in Germany once updates to the entry systems are completed to integrate the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES). The wider rollout across Europe depends on the full implementation of the EES system.
The May 2025 UK-EU summit resolved that there are no legal barriers preventing UK citizens from using EU e-gates. As of this year, 48 locations, including some major European airports, have allowed those with UK passports to enter the country through e-gates.
Other airports, such as Sofia Airport in Bulgaria, have already announced their intention to allow Brits to use the automatic gates. Faro Airport, which connects the UK with the Algarve, made a similar announcement in spring 2025.
The Cabinet Office announced in July that UK passport holders will be able to use e-gates at some European airports by the end of August. The list of airports allowing e-gate access for UK passport holders is expected to grow as the EES system is rolled out across Europe.
In summary, by the end of August 2025, some UK travellers can use e-gates in Germany, with full access for all UK passengers expected later in the year following system updates. The wider rollout across Europe depends on the full implementation of the EU's EES system.
[1] BBC News, "UK passport holders to use e-gates at some European airports", July 2025. [2] The Guardian, "Germany to allow some UK passport holders to use e-gates at airports", July 2025. [3] Sky News, "UK passport holders to gain access to e-gates at German airports", July 2025. [4] The Telegraph, "UK passport holders to use e-gates at some European airports from August", July 2025. [5] European Commission, "EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) to be fully implemented in October 2025", October 2025.
This decision by Germany to allow UK airline passengers to use passport e-gates is a step toward altering the lifestyle of frequent travelers between the UK and EU, starting in August 2025. Once the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully implemented in October 2025, the possibility of traversing Europe with ease through travel and the use of e-gates could become a regular part of many travelers' lifestyles.
