Rishi Sunak seeking to end post-Brexit travel delays in new deal with Brussels
The Prime Minister is reportedly seeking to end excessive passport check border delays for Britons heading to EU countries.
Rishi Sunak wants to strike a deal with Brussels that would allow Britons to use e-gates for passport checks, according to sources who spoke to the Bloomberg agency.
British citizens have often faced lengthy delays at French, Italian, German and other European airports and ports since the UK quit the EU.
Waits are commonly caused by the manual checking of passports, which include stamping documents.
Mr Sunak is understood to want to use the improved relations with Brussels to push for a new passport agreement that could allow Britons to move through airports and ports more easily.
It comes after the Windsor Framework deal was struck over Northern Ireland trade.
The PM’s official spokesman said he was not aware of any “live discussions” on the issue taking place.
But he added: “We are working closely with the European Commission and member states to understand the impacts of the introduction of the entry exit system for British citizens.
“And our priority is always to minimise unnecessary delays for British passengers and some countries already allow British citizens to use the gates on arrival in certain circumstances.”
The UK already allows EU visitors to use e-gates in Britain but the deal has not been reciprocated by most other European countries.
However Spain decided to let Britons use its e-gates last year, prompting hope with UK officials that a similar arrangement could be expanded across the whole bloc.
The PM has worked to rebuild London’s ties with Brussels, which deteriorated under his predecessors Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.
Mr Sunak will next meet European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at the G7 summit in Japan next month.
It comes as a new process for entering EU countries is being introduced, which will impact UK passport holders.
From November measures designed to control how long travellers from outside the EU — including Britain — are allowed to stay in the 27 Schengen Zone countries are set to be introduced.
The Entry-Exit System (EES) will see holidaymakers and travellers scan their passports at an automated self-service kiosk prior to crossing the border.
The European Commission’s department for migration and home affairs said: “EES will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports, which is time-consuming, does not provide reliable data on border crossings and does not allow a systematic detection of overstayers.”
UK passport holders travelling to Schengen countries will also need to obtain travel authorisation online through the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). It lasts three years and is expected to cost €7 for all travellers between 18 and 70.
British citizens have often faced lengthy delays at French, Italian, German and other European airports and ports since the UK quit the EU.
Waits are commonly caused by the manual checking of passports, which include stamping documents.
Mr Sunak is understood to want to use the improved relations with Brussels to push for a new passport agreement that could allow Britons to move through airports and ports more easily.
It comes after the Windsor Framework deal was struck over Northern Ireland trade.
The PM’s official spokesman said he was not aware of any “live discussions” on the issue taking place.
But he added: “We are working closely with the European Commission and member states to understand the impacts of the introduction of the entry exit system for British citizens.
“And our priority is always to minimise unnecessary delays for British passengers and some countries already allow British citizens to use the gates on arrival in certain circumstances.”
The UK already allows EU visitors to use e-gates in Britain but the deal has not been reciprocated by most other European countries.
However Spain decided to let Britons use its e-gates last year, prompting hope with UK officials that a similar arrangement could be expanded across the whole bloc.
The PM has worked to rebuild London’s ties with Brussels, which deteriorated under his predecessors Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.
Mr Sunak will next meet European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at the G7 summit in Japan next month.
It comes as a new process for entering EU countries is being introduced, which will impact UK passport holders.
From November measures designed to control how long travellers from outside the EU — including Britain — are allowed to stay in the 27 Schengen Zone countries are set to be introduced.
The Entry-Exit System (EES) will see holidaymakers and travellers scan their passports at an automated self-service kiosk prior to crossing the border.
The European Commission’s department for migration and home affairs said: “EES will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports, which is time-consuming, does not provide reliable data on border crossings and does not allow a systematic detection of overstayers.”
UK passport holders travelling to Schengen countries will also need to obtain travel authorisation online through the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). It lasts three years and is expected to cost €7 for all travellers between 18 and 70.