Observations

Another Remainer scare comes to nought

It always seemed odd that Remainers would claim leaving the EU would create queues at the borders for Brits. They never seemed to realise that because the UK was never part of the Schengen Agreement there were often queues already. Freedom of movement did not mean freedom of entry without having the passport checked.

France in particular was apt even to introduce passport checks with fellow Schengen Zone members. The French have regularly reintroduced checks for six or twelve month periods every time there was a terrorist incident such as in Paris, Nice and outside Toulouse.

The main change in Portugal is that the e-passport machines are generally only available to EU/EEA citizens and UK travellers will be in a non-EU/EEA channel – in the larger airports where such separate channels exist. Smaller airports tend not to have channels or passport reading machines.

Portugal shows pragmatic common sense

Now Portugal is breaking the preferred EU convention (it is not a law) and has installed e-passport machines at four airports for citizens of Britain, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

This is all down to market forces defeating stubborn obstinacy that only results in self-harm for EU holiday destinations. Portugal has first mover advantage over other competing holiday destinations. This competition means we might well see the same in Spain and Greece – maybe even Italy. We very much doubt it will happen in France.

Once again we see that when decisions are taken away from EU Commissioners or their officials, common sense and pragmatism has a chance to triumph. We applaud the initiative of the Turismo de Portugal and call upon other countries to consider doing the same.

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