{"id":412591,"date":"2025-09-10T07:43:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T07:43:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/412591\/"},"modified":"2025-09-10T07:43:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T07:43:12","slug":"october-travel-rules-for-spain-france-and-greece-mean-three-new-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/412591\/","title":{"rendered":"October travel rules for Spain, France and Greece mean three new questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Travel experts have explained how to avoid the long queues that will start on October 12This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a>\"YouYou will face extra checks at the airport<\/p>\n

Everyone leaving the UK and heading to countries such as France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal will face a series of new questions designed tyo tighten border security from October this year. The EU’s new Entry\/Exit System is being introduced this autumn and you will notice changes when you next travel to Europe from the UK.<\/p>\n

Grant Winter, compliance officer at Good To Go Travel Insurance<\/a>, said: \u201cThe EES is scheduled to launch on October 12, 2025 and is being introduced to modernise how Europe manages its borders. One of the main aims is to improve security by making it easier to spot overstayers, detect identity fraud, and prevent irregular migration. With the potential for longer queues in the early stages, the system should speed up processing with faster, more reliable checks.<\/p>\n

\u201cBorder guards might ask questions to check you meet Schengen entry requirements, so be prepared to answer standard inquiries like \u2018Why are you travelling?\u2019, \u2018Where will you be staying?\u2019, and \u2018Do you have a ticket proving when you\u2019ll leave?\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou might also be asked if you have valid travel insurance<\/a>. This ensures you are protected financially against unforeseen circumstances while you are abroad, and that you have access to emergency medical treatment to avoid any unexpected costs, whether it\u2019s travel insurance for medical conditions<\/a>, for minor injuries, or serious emergencies.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cI advise leaving extra time for your journey, especially in the first stages of the system\u2019s rollout. Keep important documents like proof of funds, your accommodation information, and travel insurance, with you and easily accessible.<\/p>\n

All non-EU nationals (including UK travellers) will be required to submit biometric data such as fingerprints and facial scans at the border, a change experts warn could create widespread delays across Europe\u2019s busiest travel hubs – including airports, ferry ports, and Eurostar terminals.<\/p>\n

A UK Government survey found that 69% of travellers<\/a> hadn\u2019t even heard of the new EES rules, yet 67% were worried about increased queues and extra document checks. Yasmin Peskel, travel expert at Blue Cruise<\/a>, said: \u201cThis isn\u2019t about cancelling trips, it\u2019s about travelling smarter. With EES adding time to border checks, simple choices like flight times and entry points can make a huge difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yasmin has three tips to avoid the long queues caused by the new system:<\/p>\n

1. Book the Earliest Possible Flight<\/strong><\/p>\n

Queues build up as the day goes on. Catching the first flight of the day means fresher border staff, fewer passengers, and often a much quicker entry into the EU.<\/p>\n

2. Choose Lesser-Known Airports<\/strong><\/p>\n

Flying into smaller hubs, like Bilbao instead of Barcelona, or Lyon instead of Nice, can help avoid the choke points of Europe\u2019s busiest airports. Fewer passengers means shorter lines, even with EES in place.<\/p>\n

3. Use Biometric E-Gates<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not all airports are created equal. Some EU airports already have upgraded biometric Smart Gates compatible with UK passports, which speed up processing under EES. Before you book, check whether your destination airport supports e-gates, it could save you hours.<\/p>\n

How to put it into practice<\/p>\n