UK on verge of deal with EU to let Britons use European passport e-gates

British holidaymakers could face shorter airport queues this summer with negotiators on the verge of striking an agreement for UK passport holders to use e-gates across Europe.

Downing Street said on Saturday that it was poised to strike a deal with the EU that would improve things for British families facing “queues on holiday”.

The Guardian understands officials on both sides are in talks about allowing British travellers to use e-gates reserved for people from the EU or European Economic Area when arriving at airports in Europe, ending the current two-queue system.

The issue forms part of negotiations ahead of the highly anticipated UK-EU summit in London on Monday, which will focus on a security and defence pact.

Since Brexit, British travellers have had to queue to have their passports stamped when arriving in many European airports, with e-gates reserved for EU passport holders and members of the European Economic Area.

Some airports in Portugal and Spain have introduced e-gates that accept British passports, though the Foreign Office still encourages UK travellers to get their passports stamped.

Rishi Sunak’s government sought an agreement to open e-gates across the EU to British passport holders