BA Travel Experiences in EU - post January 1st
Dec 30, 2020, 12:38 pm
#31
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 259
Hmmm...I see no proof.
It's blindingly obvious. From 11pm 31st December UK Time, the UK is out of the EU (and EEA). The UK is a "third" country.
You won't be allowed to use e-gates when entering EU. From 1st Jan 2022, you will need to pay to enter the EU, even if i's just for holidays
In the case of Schengen, your passport will be stamped whenever you enter and exit (sometimes they forget about stamping when you exit, especially on the Eurotunnel). In some airports, like Amsterdam, it could well be that to exit Schengen you can use some e-gates, but your passport will still be stamped.
You won't be allowed to use e-gates when entering EU. From 1st Jan 2022, you will need to pay to enter the EU, even if i's just for holidays
In the case of Schengen, your passport will be stamped whenever you enter and exit (sometimes they forget about stamping when you exit, especially on the Eurotunnel). In some airports, like Amsterdam, it could well be that to exit Schengen you can use some e-gates, but your passport will still be stamped.
Dec 30, 2020, 12:44 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: BAEC, Ib+, Accor, HHonors
Posts: 609
Dec 30, 2020, 12:46 pm
#33
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 943
Unless this was some sort of carve out due to the UK being non-Schengen.
Dec 30, 2020, 12:59 pm
#34
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,957
I don't think this can be correct? Quite a few EU airports have signs allowing non EU country passports to use the e-passport gates. From memory, AMS shows Australians, Canadian, and US passport holders can use them.
Dec 30, 2020, 1:03 pm
#35
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,091
I don't know for other, but this is from BRU airport official page related to Brexit and border controls
"UK residents can no longer use the e-gates at border controls"
"UK residents can no longer use the e-gates at border controls"
Dec 30, 2020, 1:05 pm
#36
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,991
As of 1 January 2021 at 00h00 Central European Time UK nationals are treated as third country nationals...
EU law currently reserves use of e-gates to holders of EU/EEA/CH passports
EU law currently reserves use of e-gates to holders of EU/EEA/CH passports
Dec 30, 2020, 1:10 pm
#37
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Exec
Posts: 647
I’ll be travelling to an EU country for work on the 2nd Jan. As the holder of a U.K. passport, I will comply with the appropriate signage at the airport I arrive in. Not sure why some people are having difficulties with this all of a sudden ?
Dec 30, 2020, 1:11 pm
#38
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,803
My understanding is
- e-gate use by UK nationals in Schengen will be restricted to exit gates, but even then a stamp is required, plus a theoretical requirement to enter that country directly, not via Schengen. In practice I doubt that will happen. Ingress by e-gate is specifically prohibited.
- however this is temporary until the introduction in 2022 of EES, Entry Exit System, which end the need for stamping and is e-gate based anyway.
- EES is supposed to be introduced before ETIAS, which is running horribly late, so at best ETIAS - which is similar to the USA's ESTA process - will arrive "early 2022", which I suspect means 2023.
- An ETIAS, which will cost 7€, is free to those under 18 and over 70, will need to be applied for 96 hours before departure and will last 3 years.
- Once someone goes over the hump of getting an ETIAS then for (CWS invented figure alert) 98% plus of visitors - who won't stay more than 90 days in Schengen per 180 days - there won't be any significant difference from the setup now, and arguably better than life was say 4 or 5 years ago, before e-gates came along.
- Some countries are going to struggle with this, Spain comes to mind, they lack resources. AMS is also worrisome to me due to sheer numbers, but this is an airport that needs UK transit passengers.
- The new EU-by-the-backdoor is the Partnership Council, and a lot of subordinate joint councils - this may make things easier over time. Particularly if the UK keeps it slick for inbound EEA+CH citizens (as it will have to do, Border Force is not staffed for any alternative).
- At the moment it doesn't matter much, people aren't travelling anyway so no one is getting delayed at the borders.
In short, it may get a bit sticky this summer, if travel returns, but not for long.
- e-gate use by UK nationals in Schengen will be restricted to exit gates, but even then a stamp is required, plus a theoretical requirement to enter that country directly, not via Schengen. In practice I doubt that will happen. Ingress by e-gate is specifically prohibited.
- however this is temporary until the introduction in 2022 of EES, Entry Exit System, which end the need for stamping and is e-gate based anyway.
- EES is supposed to be introduced before ETIAS, which is running horribly late, so at best ETIAS - which is similar to the USA's ESTA process - will arrive "early 2022", which I suspect means 2023.
- An ETIAS, which will cost 7€, is free to those under 18 and over 70, will need to be applied for 96 hours before departure and will last 3 years.
- Once someone goes over the hump of getting an ETIAS then for (CWS invented figure alert) 98% plus of visitors - who won't stay more than 90 days in Schengen per 180 days - there won't be any significant difference from the setup now, and arguably better than life was say 4 or 5 years ago, before e-gates came along.
- Some countries are going to struggle with this, Spain comes to mind, they lack resources. AMS is also worrisome to me due to sheer numbers, but this is an airport that needs UK transit passengers.
- The new EU-by-the-backdoor is the Partnership Council, and a lot of subordinate joint councils - this may make things easier over time. Particularly if the UK keeps it slick for inbound EEA+CH citizens (as it will have to do, Border Force is not staffed for any alternative).
- At the moment it doesn't matter much, people aren't travelling anyway so no one is getting delayed at the borders.
In short, it may get a bit sticky this summer, if travel returns, but not for long.
Dec 30, 2020, 2:01 pm
#39
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Dublin/UK/SPAIN
Programs: BA Gold. EI GoldCircle
Posts: 784
No, NHS test results are not deemed as valid - there has been a lot of publicity about this so not sure why you weren't aware. My daughter has spoken to 2 of the pax who were denied travel (they are at same uni as her) and the NHS tests they took were well within the 72 hours pre-flight as stipulated by the Dutch authorities. It is simply than an NHS free test is not permitted to be used for travel purposes (nor is it permitted for the Test-to-Release scheme on arrival back to the UK to reduce quarantine time)
it is not suitable for travel or intended to be used for travel although some countries will accept them. They are intended to identify and protect the population not to satisfy border requirements
therefore, a private one is required for travel as they can add in all the relevant details for immigration
Dec 30, 2020, 2:02 pm
#40
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Dublin/UK/SPAIN
Programs: BA Gold. EI GoldCircle
Posts: 784
My understanding is that from the 1st it will be the non EU Q when entering the EU.
What I haven’t found is on arrival in the UK will it now say UK and Irish passport holders this way and then EU Q that way??
What I haven’t found is on arrival in the UK will it now say UK and Irish passport holders this way and then EU Q that way??
Dec 30, 2020, 2:17 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: LHR LAS NRT DME and others
Programs: BAEC Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 725
So perhaps the E-gate cannot be used alone but it can be used in combination with manned booths to speed up the process
I think this is certainly the case in Italy (BLQ).
IIRC there are two different e-gate lines - IIRC!
The question then is - will the UK be added to the list of countries that can use this type of gate. As others have said, it may only be neccessary for a short time anyway.
It sounds as if the EU will eventually catch up with the UK with e-gates open to Japan, US, Australia and the other priviliged countries.
Last edited by Scillybear; Dec 30, 2020 at 2:22 pm
Dec 30, 2020, 2:21 pm
#42
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,427
Deleted
I understand more now from the Gov website and it says...
I understand more now from the Gov website and it says...
You should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test and should confirm with the testing facility the type of tests available prior to booking an appointment..
Last edited by rockflyertalk; Dec 30, 2020 at 2:34 pm
Dec 30, 2020, 2:26 pm
#43
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: BAEC, Ib+, Accor, HHonors
Posts: 609
To understand this more, I’m a bit baffled by this and I don’t wish to drag it off topic but...In amongst all the different multitude of things happening with Covid rules, regs, info etc who definitely decided to sit down and make sure that a test conducted by one of the biggest, iconic and revered healthcare systems in the world, cannot be used as proof for another country gov department?
This smells fishy to me...is it because it’s free by chance? Only people that part with money are allowed to fly about? Hmm... In which case I might set up a testing company with some earbuds and nice letter headed paper, charge a few quid and border patrols might believe me!!
This smells fishy to me...is it because it’s free by chance? Only people that part with money are allowed to fly about? Hmm... In which case I might set up a testing company with some earbuds and nice letter headed paper, charge a few quid and border patrols might believe me!!
Dec 30, 2020, 2:32 pm
#44
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,838
To understand this more, I’m a bit baffled by this and I don’t wish to drag it off topic but...In amongst all the different multitude of things happening with Covid rules, regs, info etc who definitely decided to sit down and make sure that a test conducted by one of the biggest, iconic and revered healthcare systems in the world, cannot be used as proof for another country gov department?
This smells fishy to me...is it because it’s free by chance? Only people that part with money are allowed to fly about? Hmm... In which case I might set up a testing company with some earbuds and nice letter headed paper, charge a few quid and border patrols might believe me!!
This smells fishy to me...is it because it’s free by chance? Only people that part with money are allowed to fly about? Hmm... In which case I might set up a testing company with some earbuds and nice letter headed paper, charge a few quid and border patrols might believe me!!
Is it really that difficult to understand?
Dec 30, 2020, 2:34 pm
#45
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,061
No, because the UK has long since taken a decision to allow large numbers of people to use their e-gates (including some non-EU nationals). This is for no other reason than because the alternative is to pay more for increased staffing, which as we all know, British governments are loathe to do. Access to e-gates does not have to be reciprocal.