Landmark UK-EU deal allows British travellers to use e-gates at European airports
- Last updated: May 19, 2025 | 15:05
The European Union will be given a further 12 years of access to British fishing waters as part of a landmark deal to “reset” the relationship with Brussels.
The use of e-gates at airports was also agreed after a last-minute breakthrough in Sir Keir Starmer's talks.
The breakthrough came on Monday morning – hours before a major summit in London – after talks had gone “down to the wire” on Sunday.
Under the new agreed terms, UK visitors will be able to rejoin the fast track passport queues, while talks on a youth mobility scheme are said to be ongoing.
A key stumbling block was on the issue of fishing rights, with European vessels now given access to British waters until 2038. Other issues under discussion included defence and security, with a potential agreement allowing British firms access to a 150-billion-euro (£125 billion) EU defence fund
Deals on cutting red tape on food exports, and setting up a youth mobility scheme with the EU, were also thought to be on the table.
A Downing Street source confirmed to The Independent that there has been a breakthrough in the talks and it is understood that the deal has now been approved by the EU ambassadors’ committee.
EU summit marks 'new era' of relations, says Starmer
The UK-EU summit marks a "new era" of relations with the bloc, Sir Keir Starmer has said, promising it will be the first of many.
"It's really good that we're able to meet around this table for this summit, the first of what will be of many summits as we progress through this new era.
"We on this side are following through on what the British public voted for last year and the mission of this government to deliver security and renewal for our country and improve the lives of working people in uncertain times, a new era for defence, security and trade", the prime minister said in his opening remarks.
Batting off suggestions that he risks unpicking Brexit with today's deal, Sir Keir said the summit is about "moving on from stale old debates" and "looking forward, not backwards".
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who backed remaining in the EU, has bet that securing smoother access to Europe for UK visitors and trade will drown out the cries of "betrayal" from Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage when he agrees to closer EU alignment at a summit in London.
The reset follows US President Donald Trump's upending of the post-war global order, which has forced governments around the world to rethink ties on trade, defence and security, and brought Starmer closer to France's Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders.
Economists said the reset with the UK's biggest trading partner could have a larger impact on its sluggish economy than recent deals with India and the US, but its refusal to rejoin the EU's single market or customs union will limit that.
"It's time to look forward – to move on from the stale old political fights and to find common sense, practical solutions that improve the lives of British people," Starmer said on X.
At the heart of the reset is a defence and security pact that will let Britain be part of any joint procurement, but further agreement will be needed for British companies including BAE, Rolls Royce and Babcock to take part in a 150-billion-euro ($167 billion) programme to rearm Europe.
Fishing rights
On fishing, British and EU vessels will have access to each other's waters for 12 years – removing one of the UK's strongest hands in any future talks – in return for a permanent reduction in paperwork and border checks that has prevented many small food producers from exporting to Europe.
Britain should also get access to faster e-gates for UK travellers at EU airports.
In return, it has agreed to the outline of a limited youth mobility scheme, with the details to be hammered out in the future, and it is discussing participation in the Erasmus+ student exchange programme.
Agencies