France Unites With Spain, Germany, Italy, Netherlands And More To Warn UK Holidaymakers: Five Crucial Reasons You Might Be Denied Entry

Friday, July 25, 2025

France, along with Spain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, and other Schengen Area countries, has issued travel alerts for UK travelers, highlighting five common reasons they might be denied entry. This move comes as these nations seek to ensure travelers meet the updated entry requirements post-Brexit, which include valid travel documents, compliance with visa regulations, and adherence to new border control systems. Travelers who fail to meet these criteria may face difficulties entering these countries.

Every year, France attracts numerous visitors, with travelers flocking to iconic spots such as Paris, Provence, and Bordeaux.

UK travelers planning trips to France, Spain, and other countries may be denied entry if they don’t acquire the necessary travel permit. Following Brexit, new regulations stipulate that individuals holding a British passport must obtain this permit before entering any of the 25 EU countries and four non-EU nations that make up the Schengen area.

EU officials have announced the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a new travel permit designed to enhance security and tighten the borders of the Schengen area. Although the initiative has been delayed several times, the latest update reveals that UK travelers will not be required to obtain the permit for EU visits until at least April 2027.

Earlier this year, the EU’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs announced that the ETIAS would be launched in the final quarter of 2026. However, thanks to a transitional period and grace period, travelers will not be required to apply for the ETIAS before departure until 2027.

The launch of ETIAS is closely tied to the rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES), with each permit priced at 20 euros. After numerous delays, the EU has set a plan to implement the EES gradually, beginning in October this year. This phased approach allows member states to introduce the new border system over a six-month period.

The ETIAS will be required for travel to and between the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

UK passport holders traveling to Schengen area countries will need to register their biometric data, including fingerprints or a photograph, upon arrival. The new EES registration will replace the existing process of manually stamping passports when entering the EU.

The ETIAS is linked to an individual’s passport and remains valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever occurs first. The new EES registration will replace the existing practice of manually stamping passports when entering the EU.

Holding a valid ETIAS enables multiple visits to participating European countries for short stays, generally up to 90 days within a 180-day window. However, entry is not assured.

At the border, authorities will request your passport and additional documentation to verify that you meet the entry requirements. Most ETIAS applications are processed and approved “almost instantly,” but mistakes in your application could lead to a refusal.

Without a valid ETIAS, entry will be denied to countries like France, Spain, and Italy. SchengenVisaInfo has identified five key factors that could lead to the rejection of your ETIAS application:

Your passport is invalidYou fail to attend a required interviewYou submit an incomplete applicationYou are deemed a “risk”You have a Schengen Information System (SIS) alert.

If your ETIAS application is rejected, you have the right to challenge the decision through an appeal.