Britons alerted of new border controls for visiting the Netherlands and Belgium - what you need to know

Britons are warned of new border controls

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Lewis Henderson

By Lewis Henderson


Published: 11/12/2024

- 16:06

The controls will be in place for six months in the Netherlands

Britons have been warned of temporary border controls in place in the Netherlands, which have been reintroduced after a delay to a new entry requirements system.

The imposements will be in place at the Netherlands' land borders with additional checks on some international trains and specific flights.


The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provided the update, saying the border controls will be in place for six months.

It comes after there was a delay for those travelling in and out of the Schengen area; an area featuring 29 countries allowing the free movement of people across countries without passport control.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands has imposed temporary border controls

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The FCDO said: "Plans for the introduction of the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) for all non-EU nationals, including British nationals, travelling in or out of the Schengen area has been delayed. Information will be updated when available."

The delay comes after there were initial plans for changes to travel to the Schengen area from November 2024.

The changes would see those entering or exiting the Schengen area to have their fingerprints and photo taken.

The FCDO said: "Queues at borders may be longer when these changes begin."

It added: "If you enter the Schengen area through Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International, your fingerprints and photo will be taken before you leave the UK."

Britons wanting to enter Belgium have been warned of two sets of border controls.

As well as the Netherlands, Germany, which is on the western border of Belgium also has temporary border controls in place.

"There are temporary border controls in place to travel into Germany." stated the FCDO who advised people to check online for entry requirements into Germany and Belgium.

Brussels, Belgium

Britons have been alerted of the travel updates if they want to visit Belgium

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The Schengen area was created in 1995 but Britain opted out of joining due to it being physically outside of the area when it was established.

Countries do not need to be members of the European Union to join the Schengen area.

This is the second update which the FCDO has imposed in recent days.

It recently provided updated travel guidance for visiting the United States of America.

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