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Industry welcomes new UK-EU agreements on e-gates and youth mobility

Government
Ilaria Grasso Macola
20 May 2025

Industry leaders have welcomed a new agreement between the UK and the EU that will allow British holidaymakers to use the e-gates at EU airports and restore young Brits’ right to gain experience working on the continent, with one operator saying it could create hundreds of new opportunities for youngsters.

Keir Starmer, Ursula von der Leyen, n10

Prime minister Keir Starmer hosted EU leaders, including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, on Monday (Credit: @10DowningStreet / Twitter)

Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said said the deal, which was announced on Monday (19 May) after months of negotiations, would improve the travel experience for hundreds of thousands of people.

"The tedious wait in border control lines since Brexit has long been a source of irritation for many Brits travelling to the EU," she said. "Widening the availability of e-gates across Europe will be most welcome.

"This enhanced system should give holidaymakers the opportunity to benefit from a significantly faster, more convenient airport experience, helping them start their travel promptly without the usual hold-ups.”