Using BNO passport in the EU?
#1
Original Poster
formerly mattking2000




Join Date: Nov 2012
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Using BNO passport in the EU?
Not sure where to post this, but here goes....
Can I get into the (usually much shorter) "Line for EU nationals" in EU airports with my BNO, or am I still technically required to use the "All other passports" line? I couldn't find anything on a cursory search.
Thanks!
Can I get into the (usually much shorter) "Line for EU nationals" in EU airports with my BNO, or am I still technically required to use the "All other passports" line? I couldn't find anything on a cursory search.
Thanks!
#2




Join Date: May 2005
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From wikipedia (not the most reliable, I know)
On arrival of most major British ports, BN(O) Passport holders go through the border under the channel All Other Nationalities, since they are subject to (very minimal) immigration procedures - the usual passport check and fingerprints lodging, as they would do upon entering Hong Kong, and additionally presenting a landing card. Due to cost issues, the government of the United Kingdom is unable to further streamline a 'British' channel as dedicated to British Citizens and the 5 other types of British nationals.
On arrival of most major European ports among countries of the Schengen Area or Schengen Zone, or upon crossing inter-Schengen border on land (by means of driving or cross-border trains), BN(O) Passport holders go through the European Union channels for their passports to be briefly inspected. On direct cross-border trains, which run through borders of multiple countries within the Schengen Area, occasional on-train document checks might be conducted by the respective country's police officers.
On arrival of most major European ports among countries of the Schengen Area or Schengen Zone, or upon crossing inter-Schengen border on land (by means of driving or cross-border trains), BN(O) Passport holders go through the European Union channels for their passports to be briefly inspected. On direct cross-border trains, which run through borders of multiple countries within the Schengen Area, occasional on-train document checks might be conducted by the respective country's police officers.
#4
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Not sure where to post this, but here goes....
Can I get into the (usually much shorter) "Line for EU nationals" in EU airports with my BNO, or am I still technically required to use the "All other passports" line? I couldn't find anything on a cursory search.
Thanks!
Can I get into the (usually much shorter) "Line for EU nationals" in EU airports with my BNO, or am I still technically required to use the "All other passports" line? I couldn't find anything on a cursory search.
Thanks!
Sometimes -- more at some airports than at airports -- they don't care; but at other times and/or places, they may make an issue about it in some small way or another.
#5
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Not sure where to post this, but here goes....
Can I get into the (usually much shorter) "Line for EU nationals" in EU airports with my BNO, or am I still technically required to use the "All other passports" line? I couldn't find anything on a cursory search.
Thanks!
Can I get into the (usually much shorter) "Line for EU nationals" in EU airports with my BNO, or am I still technically required to use the "All other passports" line? I couldn't find anything on a cursory search.
Thanks!
The rest of the EU (so far Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium) and Switzerland have not been able to tell the difference and I was admitted within the EU queues.
Similarly in the UK and the rest of the EU the BNO will not work at epassport gates (even though mine is an epassport.)
It is only really useful for Chile (and even then I have ABTC endorsed valid to Chile.)
#6
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The UK will know for sure you are not entitled to use UK citizens queue.
The rest of the EU (so far Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium) and Switzerland have not been able to tell the difference and I was admitted within the EU queues.
Similarly in the UK and the rest of the EU the BNO will not work at epassport gates (even though mine is an epassport.)
It is only really useful for Chile (and even then I have ABTC endorsed valid to Chile.)
The rest of the EU (so far Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium) and Switzerland have not been able to tell the difference and I was admitted within the EU queues.
Similarly in the UK and the rest of the EU the BNO will not work at epassport gates (even though mine is an epassport.)
It is only really useful for Chile (and even then I have ABTC endorsed valid to Chile.)
#7
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1) I've failed using BNO as epassport in FRA
2) I've only made to use the nonEU desk once in EU (out of 6 passages (2013-2015)). TBH that time i went off JL F so was first to immigrations. never had problems when approaching the EU desks at FRA (3 times) and CDG (2 times). never other ports.
3) I've used BNO at LCY using the UK lane. got told off but neednt requeue.
based on 1); I'd say we couldnt have used the EU line within EU (I dont think a german system would be miscoded - the BNO one might, i should have tried in france too). However, 99% of the time they dont give a crap
2) I've only made to use the nonEU desk once in EU (out of 6 passages (2013-2015)). TBH that time i went off JL F so was first to immigrations. never had problems when approaching the EU desks at FRA (3 times) and CDG (2 times). never other ports.
3) I've used BNO at LCY using the UK lane. got told off but neednt requeue.
based on 1); I'd say we couldnt have used the EU line within EU (I dont think a german system would be miscoded - the BNO one might, i should have tried in france too). However, 99% of the time they dont give a crap
#8
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1) I've failed using BNO as epassport in FRA
2) I've only made to use the nonEU desk once in EU (out of 6 passages (2013-2015)). TBH that time i went off JL F so was first to immigrations. never had problems when approaching the EU desks at FRA (3 times) and CDG (2 times). never other ports.
3) I've used BNO at LCY using the UK lane. got told off but neednt requeue.
based on 1); I'd say we couldnt have used the EU line within EU (I dont think a german system would be miscoded - the BNO one might, i should have tried in france too). However, 99% of the time they dont give a crap
2) I've only made to use the nonEU desk once in EU (out of 6 passages (2013-2015)). TBH that time i went off JL F so was first to immigrations. never had problems when approaching the EU desks at FRA (3 times) and CDG (2 times). never other ports.
3) I've used BNO at LCY using the UK lane. got told off but neednt requeue.
based on 1); I'd say we couldnt have used the EU line within EU (I dont think a german system would be miscoded - the BNO one might, i should have tried in france too). However, 99% of the time they dont give a crap
#9
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#10
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Went to spain germany and uk laat week; and france and uk in june.
Uk- uk/eu/eec lane. Looked at the passport and thru.
France-eu manned counter (BC had to do the same)
Spain -EU manned counter. Looked at the passport and thru.
Germany (since from madrid we took the 5th freedom latam flight)-they stamped us in like non-eu, but we took the eu lane.. no walk of shame. The lane dragon pointed us to eu anyways
Uk- uk/eu/eec lane. Looked at the passport and thru.
France-eu manned counter (BC had to do the same)
Spain -EU manned counter. Looked at the passport and thru.
Germany (since from madrid we took the 5th freedom latam flight)-they stamped us in like non-eu, but we took the eu lane.. no walk of shame. The lane dragon pointed us to eu anyways
#11
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Join Date: May 2006
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The UK will know for sure you are not entitled to use UK citizens queue.
The rest of the EU (so far Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium) and Switzerland have not been able to tell the difference and I was admitted within the EU queues.
Similarly in the UK and the rest of the EU the BNO will not work at epassport gates (even though mine is an epassport.)
It is only really useful for Chile (and even then I have ABTC endorsed valid to Chile.)
The rest of the EU (so far Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium) and Switzerland have not been able to tell the difference and I was admitted within the EU queues.
Similarly in the UK and the rest of the EU the BNO will not work at epassport gates (even though mine is an epassport.)
It is only really useful for Chile (and even then I have ABTC endorsed valid to Chile.)

