British travellers heading to Portugal's Algarve region will benefit from faster border crossings after Faro Airport began offering e-gate access to UK arrivals.

The UK Government announced the rollout this week, with Downing Street anticipating that millions of British holidaymakers will be able to use the automated technology.

The development follows an agreement secured by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with EU leaders last month.

The Prime Minister's official spokesperson confirmed: "Yesterday, Portugal opened e-gates at Faro Airport to British citizens, which will mean millions more Brits going to the Algarve will be able to use e-gates in time for the summer holidays."

E-gates will be available for Britons in Faro. They are already in use in UK airports

Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, responsible for EU relations, told MPs that the agreement "makes life easier for holidaymakers". Speaking at the despatch box on Thursday, he described the development as part of the "historic deal" signed with the EU on May 19.

When unveiling the agreement last month, Sir Keir emphasised the importance of smooth travel for British tourists. The Prime Minister stated that "for holidaymakers wanting to get out this summer, they will want to know that they can do so easily and without delay and chaos".

He urged "all EU members states to help make this a reality without delay". UK nationals have faced restricted access to e-gates across most Schengen area countries since Brexit.

The Faro Airport website currently warns passengers from the UK that passport controls "may take up more time, as the passport will have to be stamped and there are additional questions that may be asked by the border control officers".

The Algarve is popular with British tourists

These delays have become a familiar frustration for British travellers visiting EU destinations. The manual passport checks have created longer queues at border control points, particularly during peak holiday periods when airports experience their highest passenger volumes.

The government has indicated that the Faro agreement will help address "legal barriers to e-gates use for UK nationals" when the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) launches in October. This biometric system will replace passport stamping with digital registration.

The Prime Minister's spokesman confirmed that efforts to secure similar arrangements continue across Europe. "We're obviously continuing to work with other countries and other airports to ensure Brits can use more e-gates as soon as possible and that work continues," he said.

The spokesperson described Faro as "a very significant airport" for British holidaymakers, noting it was "good news" to see the facility opening e-gates to UK citizens.