UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that the agreement will make it easier for more Britons to use e-gates, resulting in less time waiting in line and more time enjoying their holidays. However, the rollout of this measure depends on the launch of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), scheduled for October 2025. This automated system will register non-EU nationals traveling for short stays using biometric data such as facial recognition and fingerprints.
While the agreement has been welcomed by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), which believes it will facilitate travel and reduce queues, some critics point out that access to e-gates was already envisioned as part of the EU’s ongoing border reforms and is not a direct result of the new deal. Furthermore, actual implementation will rely on each EU member state's adoption of the system, which could lead to varying experiences for travelers depending on the country they visit.
The agreement also includes provisions to ease pet travel and mobility for young workers, although specific details have yet to be disclosed. These measures are especially relevant to the UK tourism industry, which has faced challenges since Brexit due to new restrictions and travel requirements to the EU.
In parallel, the UK has announced that from April 2, 2025, EU citizens will be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the country. This permit, which will cost approximately 12 euros, will be digitally linked to the traveler’s passport and will allow multiple entries over a two-year period, with stays of up to six months per visit. The initiative is intended to modernize the UK’s border management and bring it in line with international standards similar to those of the US and EU.
Meanwhile, the EU plans to introduce the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) in the first half of 2025, which will require British nationals to obtain a similar travel permit to enter the Schengen Area. This system, which will cost 7 euros and be valid for three years, will also be electronically linked to the passport and aims to enhance border security through pre-travel screening.
In summary, the UK-EU agreement marks a significant step toward normalizing and facilitating travel between both regions. However, its effective implementation will depend on coordination and the adoption of new systems by individual member states. In the meantime, British travelers will have to wait until at least October 2025 to fully benefit from the new measures, and both they and EU citizens will need to adapt to new electronic travel requirements in the years ahead.
