The E-Gate Dream – Delayed Again

Remember that seamless shuffle through European passport control, a quick scan of the chip, and off you went to baggage claim? For UK passport holders, that reality ended in 2020, and despite promises of change, the wait continues. The recent announcement of a UK-EU deal to reinstate eGate access is welcome news, but don't expect any change at the airport this summer.

Meetings in Dusseldorf, Queues in Faro

I spend a lot of time in the air. A 6:45am out of Heathrow, meetings in Dusseldorf by mid-morning. Then it’s back through border control in the evening for a dash home. And let me tell you: nothing says “welcome to Europe” like a 45-minute wait to get a stamp you never needed before. Not only that, I even had to pay extra for a 54 page passport as it fills us with EU stamps!

The same goes for family travel. Faro is our go-to for sun, seafood, and some much-needed reset time. But when you arrive in the sunshine after a smooth and relaxing reward flight in club, that border queue starts to feel longer than the flight!

The Big October Maybe

The UK government recently announced that a deal has been struck to allow us Brits to use E-Gates again in the EU… but only after the new Entry/Exit System (EES) goes live. That’s scheduled for October 2025. And yes, it’s already been delayed before. Even then, it’ll be up to each EU country to decide when they actually roll it out. In other words, don’t get excited just yet, you’ll still be needing your patience.

Holding Pattern Until 2026?

Like so many post-Brexit promises, this one feels stuck in a holding pattern. The system’s ready, the tech exists, and yet we’re still circling the runway. It’s frustrating - not just because of the queues, but because it feels like we’re being treated as second-class travellers in places we’ve visited freely for decades.

And when you’re juggling meetings, time zones, and family holidays, the last thing you want is to be reminded that your passport now comes with a side of red tape.

All I want is to arrive in Faro, Amsterdam, or Munich, and walk through like it’s 2019. Is that really too much to ask?

Final Sip

Progress is coming, but it’s slow. The return of E-Gate access might feel like a small win, but for those of us who fly often, it’s a step towards a smoother journey. Until that day comes, keep checking out our blog posts with a cup of Concorde Cappuccino in hand, and reminisce about the good old days of jet travel!

Chris Louch
Frequent Flyer | Coffee Evangelist | Jet Bean Loyalist