Britons in France warned that holidaymakers may face new delays from next week - what to expect

France will bring back Schengen Area border checks for an initial six-month period on its borders with Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Italy.

Checks will be carried out on travellers entering by road or train from neighbouring countries.

This means that holidaymakers using the Eurostar may face increased delays as a result of the checks.

Britons have been told that the system will be spot checks rather than mandatory for every person, but travel experts warn that the process could result in delays at the border.

This comes as Britons were issued a fresh Europe travel warning as Britons face new border controls in Germany.

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, Belgium and Denmark for six months, starting on September 16, 2024.

The increased border checks reflect growing worries over the migration crisis, people smuggling and risks to security.

Minister of the Interior of France, Bruno Retailleau, explained 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 received some negative reception, with some fearing that it could dissuade people from travelling.

Chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, Paul Charles, said: "Sadly, travellers are getting used to tighter controls since Brexit across Europe. This is obviously a further tightening which is not welcome at all.

"It adds to delays and uncertainty when travelling and that puts off people from travelling. It is a retrograde step.

"With Germany and France, you would think other countries will follow. The danger is that spot checks become permanent checks as borders tighten under deeper government policies to protect France."

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The Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Luc Frieden, voiced his concerns press conference after an EU summit.

Speaking about his conversations with France and Germany, he said: "I told the two colleagues clearly that I did not think this was a good idea, and I found more understanding with the French president than with the German chancellor on this issue." He added that the controls "really do not solve the problem of illegal migration".

Holidaymakers travelling by plane may also be affected. Chief executive of easyJet, Johan Lundgren, warned that the new system could result in the overcrowding of terminals. This may mean Britons are held on planes for a short while.

In other European travel news, Britons have been issued a warning for Greece as holidaymakers are advised to "take care of their possessions".