London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – British tourists visiting France have been cautioned that they may face delays, due to the reintroduction of border inspections to combat illegal migration and terrorism.
France will impose Schengen Area border inspections for an initial six-month period on its borders with Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Italy. Checks will be undertaken on travellers entering by roadway or train from neighbouring countries. It means that holidaymakers employing Eurostar may face grown delays as a result of the checks.
How will these checks affect British tourists?
Britons have been advised that the system will be spot checks rather than compulsory for every person, but travel experts caution that the process could result in delays at the border. This comes as Britons were given a fresh Europe travel cautioning as Britons face new border controls in Germany.
What prompted the increase in border security measures?
The Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community demonstrated that it has ordered the temporary reintroduction of border control at Germany’s land borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark for six months, beginning on September 16, 2024.
The raised border checks reflect growing concerns over the migration crisis, people smuggling and threats to security. Minister of the Interior of France, Bruno Retailleau, presented that the reintroduction of the checks comes as a result of “serious threats to public order and domestic security posed by high-level terrorist activities”. The border checks system has acquired some negative reception, with some worrying that it could dissuade people from travelling.
How are travel experts advising tourists to prepare?
People journeying by car, coach, or train from Belgium, Luxembourg or Italy may be more impacted by these new checks. Travellers using Eurostar may also see vast waiting times for passport control as the risen checks take effect. The travel industry, including airlines, coach businesses and rail services, may have to change their schedules to accommodate longer border crossings.