Brussels turns down UK request to keep using ‘EU citizens’ lanes

BRITONS going abroad will need their passports stamped each time they enter EU countries after the transition period, The Daily Telegraph understands.

British negotiators wanted UK nationals to continue using the “EU citizens” lanes from Jan 1 next year but were told this was not possible, according to sources.

As a result, UK travellers will have to queue with “non-eu” citizens and submit to a physical passport inspection and receive a passport stamp. It is understood a request for nationals to use electronic “e-gates” was rejected as the EU’S borderless Schengen zone does not have the technology to accommodate “third country” nationals.

“The technology is being developed, and when it is available it should be possible for UK nationals to use it, but until then they will have to queue for a stamp in their passports,” said a source with knowledge of the talks.

NON-EU nationals from pre-cleared countries including Japan, South Korea, Australia and the US can use e-gates at British airports but this is not technically possible in the Schengen zone.

EU officials said that once the capacity had been built, it was a reasonable assumption that UK nationals would be able to use the Schengen zone e-gates.

It came after EU officials confirmed that plans to introduce an Americanstyle visa-waiver scheme had been delayed until 2023.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System scheme will require non-eu nationals from visaexempt countries including the UK to pay a €7 (£6.22) fee to obtain authorisation that will enable them to travel visafree to the EU. The scheme was to have come into force by the end of 2021, but that has now been put back a year.

The UK government’s advice for travel to Europe after Jan 1 says tourists will have visa-free travel to EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Subject to the outcome of negotiations, longer stays or business travel may require a visa, with the Government saying that business travellers should check that their professional qualifications are recognised in different EU countries.

As well as using non-eu lanes, the advice also warns that travellers may have to show a “return or onward ticket” and demonstrate they have enough money for their stay in the EU country.

The guarantee of free mobile roaming charges will also end.