Travellers reaching the territory of France via the land border from Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy have been warned of longer delays from November 1, 2024, when border checks are reintroduced.
Travel experts have warned that the prolongation of border controls, starting next month and ending on April 20, 2025, will particularly affect France’s neighbouring countries, Schengen.News reports.
Citing terrorist threats and concerns related to irregular migration, France notified the European Commission regarding the reintroduction of border controls with the above-mentioned countries, a measure that the country has continuously extended since 2014 for about a decade.
New Rules Challenging Schengen Free Travel Concept
France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy are part of the Schengen Zone; therefore, its citizens are excluded from border control requirements within the EU’s visa-free travel zone.
However, for different reasons, the most common of them irregular migration; several European countries have applied the reintroduction of border controls in a bid to enhance their national security, therefore changing the perception of the Schengen Zone in terms of free travel.
Authorities in Germany also initiated border controls at all internal borders on September 16, 2024, arguing the measure is helping the country deal with the migration situation.
Under the Schengen Border Code (SBC), the introduction of border controls is allowed. However, it should be applied as a last-resort measure initiated in exceptional situations.
UK Travellers Also Subject to Delays
Since the UK is no longer part of the European Union, Brits are already subject to border controls. However, once the border checks are reintroduced by France, experts say that nationals of the UK will be affected by France’s recent measures.
Holidaymakers from Britain planning to enter France have been warned that delays may occur.
The chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, Paul Charles, told the Telegraph that delays may occur for Britons, along with uncertainty, in spite of checks not being carried out on every person but rather spot checks.
Charles expressed his concerns that other Schengen Zone countries might also decide to introduce tightened border controls.
Source: https://schengen.news/travellers-to-face-queues-once-france-reintroduces-internal-border-checks/