UK holidaymakers issued Belgium travel warning amid changes at border control
Britons travelling to Belgium and Germany face updated entry requirements after temporary border controls were implemented.
The update comes as both European countries enforce passport stamping procedures, according to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
This means travellers should be prepared for scrutiny of their entry and exit stamps to ensure compliance with the 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.
They should be also aware that they may need to present additional documents at Belgian border control.
Travellers should be aware of the latest stamping procedures
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These include a return or onward ticket, and evidence of sufficient funds for their stay.
If passport stamps are missing, visitors should provide alternative proof of entry or exit, such as boarding passes and request border guards to add the necessary stamps.
The FCDO stated: “If you’re a visitor, border guards will look at your entry and exit stamps to check you have not overstayed the 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.
“If your passport is missing a stamp, show evidence of when and where you entered or left the Schengen area (for example, boarding passes or tickets) and ask the border guards to add the date and location in your passport.”
It comes shortly after the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community explained that it has ordered the temporary reintroduction of border control at Germany’s land borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Denmark for six months, starting on September 16, 2024.
The Government body said: “The complete package of stationary and mobile border policing measures, including the possibility to refuse entry at the border, will be applied at all of Germany’s land borders as allowed by EU and national law.”
It was noted that the temporary border controls aim to “limit irregular migrations further and to protect Germany’s internal security”.
Checks at Germany’s land border with Austria will be in place until November 11, 2024.
Travellers were recently reminded of upcoming changes that will affect the entry and exit procedures at Schengen borders from November 2024 onwards.
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to replace passport stamping with a digital border system for all non-EU nationals.
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Several countries that share borders with Germany face updated entry requirements
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The change will affect travel to 29 European countries, including 25 EU Member States.
Under the new system, UK holidaymakers will need to provide biometric data when entering the Schengen area.
This includes having fingerprints and a photo taken. For those departing from Dover, Eurotunnel and Folkestone, or St Pancras International, these biometrics will be collected before leaving the UK.
“You may experience longer queues at the border when the new system starts,” the FCDO warned.
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