Border Control

Spaceace

sheramber said:

As UK os not in Schengen area the passport needs to be stamped and arriving  and on leaving to avoid complications with needing a visa if spending more that 90 days in a rolling 180 days in a Schengen area.

We went to Lanzarote in February and, not only weren't passports stamped, they weren't inspected in any way either on arrival or departure by anyone other than the airline staff.  Not that we're likely to exceed the 90 in 180 rule but I have no idea whether those days are officially recorded anywhere.

Baled

When I arrived at Malaga airport yesterday morning the UK queue was long so they started directing us to the EU side shortly afterwards. Queues are bearable when there's some constant movement, even if it's only a little shuffle every time.

I've thought before about applying for an Irish passport but I don't know if I'll ever get around to it.

Marmaduke123

Baled said:

I've thought before about applying for an Irish passport but I don't know if I'll ever get around to it.

I so wish I qualified for an Irish passport!

TELLIT01

DullGreyGuy said:

TELLIT01 said:

I was reading earlier today that some EU countries are allowing UK passport holders to use the electronic passport gates.  I can't remember which countries and can't find the article either.  The same article also stated that the Government are in discussion with EU to formalise the process throughout the EU.

There was an individual (unconfirmed) story posted the other day of some going through Athens, ignored the signs, went through the egates which let them through but they were then caught by an officer and instructed to go to the back of the queue for the rest of the world line

It was a newspaper item, and I do know the report wasn't referring to a Greek airport.  We're heading that way in September so would be excited if it was.  I'm pretty sure it was either Italy or Spain.

sheramber

powerful_Rogue said:

sheramber said:

As UK os not in Schengen area the passport needs to be stamped and arriving  and on leaving to avoid complications with needing a visa if spending more that 90 days in a rolling 180 days in a Schengen area.

The UK has never been part of the Schengen area.

I never said it was.

sheramber

Marmaduke123 said:

Baled said:

I've thought before about applying for an Irish passport but I don't know if I'll ever get around to it.

I so wish I qualified for an Irish passport!

Ireland is not in the Schengen area

DullGreyGuy

TELLIT01 said:

DullGreyGuy said:

TELLIT01 said:

I was reading earlier today that some EU countries are allowing UK passport holders to use the electronic passport gates.  I can't remember which countries and can't find the article either.  The same article also stated that the Government are in discussion with EU to formalise the process throughout the EU.

There was an individual (unconfirmed) story posted the other day of some going through Athens, ignored the signs, went through the egates which let them through but they were then caught by an officer and instructed to go to the back of the queue for the rest of the world line

It was a newspaper item, and I do know the report wasn't referring to a Greek airport.  We're heading that way in September so would be excited if it was.  I'm pretty sure it was either Italy or Spain.

No this was a first hand account on a travel forum but clearly could be someone who read a newspaper article and then is claiming the thing happened to them in Athens. Wasnt a regular on the forum so no idea if it was a flight of fancy or not (there are vast numbers claiming to have AmEx Centurion and taking 1st flights but having been to an AmEx sponsored meetup of the forum, at least some are telling the truth)

katejo

Irish_Steve said:

Hi

I have an Irish Passport and my wife has a British Passport. We are flying to Greece in a couple of days time (from Edinburgh) and I was wondering if she could join me in the EU queue both when we arrive in Athens and when we return to Edinburgh?

Otherwise I'll just have to wait for her as I'll be through Border Control quicker

Thanks for any advice

I flew back from Italy on Saturday with a UK passport. I joined the other countries queue at the passport check as I thought I couldn't use the e-gate now but was directed back to the EU e-gate by a staff member. Went through and then got the required stamp immediately after. No queue to do so. My passport still looks like an EU one (maroon with the EU heading) but that probably doesn't make any difference (compared to the new blue/black ones).

eskbanker

katejo said:
I flew back from Italy on Saturday with a UK passport. I joined the other countries queue at the passport check as I thought I couldn't use the e-gate now but was directed back to the EU e-gate by a staff member. Went through and then got the required stamp immediately after. No queue to do so. My passport still looks like an EU one (maroon with the EU heading) but that probably doesn't make any difference (compared to the new blue/black ones).

Where were you flying into?  I don't associate e-gates with the EU, surely those here in the UK are usable by UK, EU and various other passport holders, so it wouldn't cross my mind that I wouldn't be able to use them!

mtc95

eskbanker said:

katejo said:
I flew back from Italy on Saturday with a UK passport. I joined the other countries queue at the passport check as I thought I couldn't use the e-gate now but was directed back to the EU e-gate by a staff member. Went through and then got the required stamp immediately after. No queue to do so. My passport still looks like an EU one (maroon with the EU heading) but that probably doesn't make any difference (compared to the new blue/black ones).

Where were you flying into?  I don't associate e-gates with the EU, surely those here in the UK are usable by UK, EU and various other passport holders, so it wouldn't cross my mind that I wouldn't be able to use them!

EU citizens can use e-gates when they arrive to the UK, but I don't think the reverse always applies currently.  The last time I flew to Germany the e-gates were not accessible for UK (or other non-EU) passport holders.