Contactless eGates in the UK: What Has Changed Since October?

The UK is introducing contactless eGates with facial recognition technology. Find out who can use them and whether a passport is still required

UK airports are switching to a new format of passport control. Since 6 October 2026, the first airport in the country has put contactless eGates into service: a passenger walks up, looks into the camera, and the barrier opens by itself, with no passport placed on a scanner. The rollout is gradual, so not everyone can use it yet. Here is how it works, where the technology has already launched, and why you will still need to carry your passport.

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How do contactless eGates work in the UK?

The principle is simple. A passenger who is eligible for eGates walks up and looks into the camera. The system takes a picture and compares it in real time with verified data: immigration and travel records, and the information stored in the passport. If the match is confirmed, the barrier opens automatically.

According to the UK Home Office, tests showed that this process can be up to 25% faster than the usual one, with the passport placed on a reader. No new hardware is being bought, either. The feature arrives through a software update to the gates that are already installed.

Read also: The UK could return to the EU.

Where are UK eGates already in use, and what comes next?

East Midlands Airport was the first, and a small number of contactless gates operate there now. The launch will then proceed in stages and cover the airports that already have eGates:

- Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff

- East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow

- Gatwick, Heathrow, London City, Luton, Stansted

- Manchester, Newcastle

The government plans to upgrade all eGates at the country’s airports by early 2027. In total, the UK has more than 290 such gates at 15 air and rail ports of entry. For now, the upgraded gates will operate alongside the standard ones.

Important! From 8 April 2026, the UK is raising the cost of the ETA and of tourist, student and work visas. You can find the new rates in our earlier article.

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Who can use UK eGates right now?

At launch, the technology was opened only to British citizens with British passports. Other nationalities that were already allowed to use eGates will be added later. According to the government’s plan, this should happen over the coming months, but there is no firm schedule. This group currently includes, among others, citizens of EU countries, the US, Canada, Australia and Japan.

The eligibility rules have not changed: if you were entitled to use the gates before, you can keep using them. Travellers outside this group still go through immigration control at UK airports with a border officer.

If you are wondering where to go in England instead of London, check Visit World’s selection.

The passport remains mandatory

The word “passport-free”, which often appears in the news, is a little misleading. A contactless check removes only one step: placing the document on the reader. You cannot travel without a passport, because Border Force explicitly requires you to carry a valid one, and all immigration and security checks remain in force.

If the system could not recognise your face or additional checks are needed, you will be directed to an officer, and the document will be required at once. The requirements for a visa or an ETA have not been lifted either.

eGates and the ETA: parts of one digital border

The new system does not stand on its own. It fits into a broader move toward digital border control. Since 25 February 2026, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has been required from all visitors who do not need a visa, so officers assess travellers even before departure. The European Union is moving in the same direction: its EES already collects biometric data, including facial images and fingerprints.

What to consider before travelling to the UK

- First, check whether your citizenship is on the list of those eligible for eGates.

- Keep your passport and your ETA or visa ready, whichever way you go through the checks.

And do not be surprised if you see different types of gates at the airport: at first, upgraded and standard ones will work side by side.

The UK’s digital border runs fast, but medical care for visitors to the country can be chargeable, and a hospital bill quickly outgrows a travel budget. A Visit World policy covers emergency care, hospitalisation, trip cancellation, lost or stolen luggage and emergency evacuation. Just enter your citizenship and destination, and the service will show the options available. Get travel insurance on Visit World before you fly to the UK.

Remember! A high salary in the UK does not always mean more money left over. The difference in rent between London and regional centres can swallow the income advantage. We have already written about the best UK cities for work, family life and long-term relocation.

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