Latest news with #borderrules
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Strict post-Brexit rules for British tourists travelling to EU set to come into force
Britons travelling to Europe this autumn may have to prove they have medical insurance and a return ticket to the UK under strict new border rules. Passengers from the UK will also need to have their fingerprints and faces scanned to cross an EU border, under the new system for arrivals into the European Union which come into force on October 12 Non-EU citizens will see stamps in their passports replaced by biometric checks under the scheme that will be rolled out over six months and fully implemented by April 2026. Anyone who refuses to provide the biometric data will be denied entry into the EU. Dedicated booths will be set up at airports, ports, or train stations, for people to scan their fingerprints and take a photo. On top of the new biometric requirements, UK travellers may be asked a series of questions to confirm details of their trip. These include proof of accommodation, whether they have sufficient funds, details of their medical insurance and proof of a return or onward ticket, The Times reported. Passengers will answer these questions at automated kiosks, but could be interviewed by a border officer if they answer no to any of the questions, the paper reported. Since Brexit, EU border agents have already been able to ask these questions of British passport holders, but most have only probed travellers they are unsure about. Travel bodies now believe that this will change once the new scheme launches in October. Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at the travel trade body Abta, said: 'More people are going to be asked these questions in the future than were in the past because most EES checks [entry/exit system] will be done at a kiosk. 'Its primary function is digitising the border. If you were to answer one of these questions in a way that you know wasn't aligned with the answer they were looking for, you would be sent to a border guard. You wouldn't necessarily be denied entry'. Once people have provided their biometric data, this record will be valid for three years. The new rules were meant to come into effect last November but were pushed back amid fears the new requirements could spark long queues. The UK government has warned travellers to 'be prepared to wait during busy times' when the scheme starts. The EU is bringing in the changes to improve border security and reduce illegal migration. In 2026, the EU will also be introducing a new travel authorisation system. Under this process, UK travellers will have to apply for authorisation to enter the Schengen area, a group of 29 countries. Passengers will have to provide personal information and details about their trip and pay a 20 euro fee to be allowed to visit. Post Brexit, Britons without the right to work or live in the EU are only able to stay for 90 days of a 180-day period. The Home Office has been contacted for comment.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Date that strict rules for Brit holidaymakers heading to Euro hols hotspots will come into force revealed
A DATE has been announced for when new strict rules for Brit holidaymakers heading to Europe will come into force. The EU will soon demand Brits show certain documentation under the strict new border rules set to be introduced within weeks. 2 A new scheme to start from October 12 will require Britons to provide proof of medical insurance, a return or onward, and accommodation before getting through the European border, The Times has revealed. It includes people travelling by ferry or plane who will need to be ready to show this information through the digital system for arrivals. Non-EU citizens will also have to have their fingerprints and photographs taken the first time they use it. Automated kiosks, with the new entry/exit system (EES), will be at most airport and ferry terminals where passengers can complete the process. The EES will flag any arrivals it deems may be overstaying. Additionally, if unable to deliver on any of the requirements, a border officer is can be expected to ask questions and has the power to refuse entry. Post-Brexit rules mean Britons without the right to work or reside in the EU can only stay in Europe for 90 days over a 180-day period. Launch of the scheme has seen some delay to October this year, which was a date set last month. It included plans abandoned for it to be introduced in November last year, after France raised concerns of "civil unrest" at crowded borders. The delay has enabled more time for officials in Brussels implementing the scheme to prepare, with its introduction to come in phases. The Times still report fears of long queues, confusion among passengers and likely problems arising as the system starts out. Each country will have the system in operation at one border point for the first month, which will eventually increase. It is expected the system will be fully in operation by April 10 next year throughout the 29 European countries it is covering. Senior figures in the travel industry are still uncertain how the system will work exactly. This is despite work on the new digital system having started in 2016. Director of public affairs at Abta, Luke Petherbridge, said: 'Its primary function is digitising the border. "If you were to answer one of these questions in a way that you know wasn't aligned with the answer they were looking for, you would be sent to a border guard. "You wouldn't necessarily be denied entry.' He expects more people to be questioned at the border due to EES checks being done at kiosks. The EES will also replace passports being stamped, making it easier for border officers to monitor compliance with lengths of stay with an automatic count produced. People who are detected breaching terms of the Brexit agreement will be rejected. Those travelling by cross-Channel ferries, Eurostar, or Le Shuttle into the continent will complete the EES checks in the UK, due to French border processes being carried out before departure. 106 kiosks have been installed at Folkestone, Getlink, which runs the Channel tunnel. And old dock has been created at Dover to provide a new processing area that is said to be the size of five football pitches. Brussels is also said to be developing a mobile app, which will allow people to upload their pictures and answer questions prior to arriving at the border point. Countries will be able to opt into this capability. Additionally, the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) is expected to begin in late 2026. This will require British citizens without a visa or residency permit of the EU to apply for a €20 waiver before travelling into the zone. It will be valid for three years, similar to the US Esta. Changes are expected to be announced by the Home Office through a public information campaign to inform travellers. According to one spokeswoman, border agents could already start asking for evidence from British passport holders. She said: 'The government has been working closely with the European Commission, member states, local authorities and the travel industry to prepare ports for EES, and we are supporting ports and carriers to ensure EES registration is simple for anyone travelling to the Schengen area.'
Times
2 days ago
- Times
Strict rules for British tourists going to EU to come in within weeks
Britons travelling to Europe will have to prove they have medical insurance and a return ticket under strict new border rules that will come into force within weeks. A digital system for arrivals into the European Union will be introduced from October 12. Non-EU passport holders will have to have their fingerprints and a photograph taken the first time they use it. Passengers will also be asked a series of questions to confirm they have proof of accommodation, sufficient funds for the trip, medical insurance and a return or onward ticket. At most airports and ferry terminals passengers will complete the process at automated kiosks. Those who answer no to any questions are expected to be quizzed by a border officer, who has the power to refuse entry.
The Sun
15-07-2025
- The Sun
New Spain rules that can cost Brits £5,992 at the border – it's an easy mistake that thousands could make
BRITS travelling to Spain face new rules that could leave them out of pocket at the border. Spain's Health Minister announced new rules meaning travellers heading to Spain are legally required to show proof of health cover as part of their travel insurance. 4 4 Spain is one of the most popular holiday destinations for British holidaymakers, with over 17 million tourists going there every year. New rules mean that British citizens will have to get some more paperwork in order to prove they have appropriate travel insurance, which could be checked at the border. Official Foreign Travel Advice on the government website for Brits has added that at the Spanish border you may need to show proof of travel insurance. It's been reported that checks are being made at Spanish borders and by transport providers. Anyone without the correct cover could be fined up to €6,900 (£5,992). During a recent update, Spain's Health Minister Carolina Darias said that this measure is to avoid additional strain on the Spanish public health system. In a statement, Carolina Darias said: "The health of our visitors is a priority. "We are committed to ensuring that all travellers, including British citizens, have the necessary coverage to protect themselves and the local health system." ABTA reported in May 2025 that a quarter of people who went on a holiday abroad in the past 12 months did so without travel insurance. It stated that "those most likely to forgo insurance are travellers aged 25-34, with two in five (41 per cent) admitting that they went on at least one trip uninsured in the past year". The Spanish region undiscovered by Brits despite seaside views and ancient Roman cities 4 Visitors must have fully comprehensive coverage in place with reasonable excess to cover costs. This is especially important if for anyone with pre-existing medical conditions. While it's not illegal to travel without insurance, it can be risky as travel insurance helps you to claim if you run into trouble while on holiday. Cover ranges from emergency medical treatment, assistance if belongings are stolen while you're away, or you have to cancel a trip due to death, illness or bereavement. Before you leave, you can look around for the best travel insurance policy, for example whether that's individual or for families. The cost will vary depending on what kind of holiday you go on too, whether that's high or low risk. That's not the only new rule in Spain, lots more have been put in place that could lead to fines - including drinking alcohol in a public place. Anyone seen drinking on the street, in parks, or on beaches could be fined up to €3,000 (£2,568). A new law was passed in Spain last year that gives local municipalities the power to fine anyone caught smoking on the beach. If a municipality does take up the law, anyone caught smoking on the beach can be charged up to €2,000 (£1,700) - so check before you go. And you can only wear swimwear on the beach or sunbathing as certain places in Spain have cracked down on wearing bikinis and trunks into towns and cities. Two popular Spanish destinations have strict rules on where you can wear swimwear - with fines for any rule breakers. Here are even more . And the eight golden rules for travelling abroad this summer. What should you look for in a good travel insurance policy? TRAVEL insurance policies can vary a great deal, but here are some "must have Medical expenses - A good policy will give cover of £1million or more for travel in Europe and £2million or more for the USA Repatriation service - The costs of getting you back to the UK for medical reasons should be covered automatically by your policy Cancellation and curtailment - A good policy will cover you for £2,000 or more if you have to cancel or shorten your holiday Missed departure - Covers additional accommodation costs and travel expenses up to £500 or more if you miss your flight due to circumstances out of your control Delay - You'll usually be covered for £250 or more if your travel plans are delayed due to circumstances out of your control Baggage cover - Covers you if your baggage is lost, damaged or stolen. Look for policies that have cover of £1,500 or more. 4
