People should be aware of the latest developments before they jet off on a summer getaway
With the school holidays now in full swing for most families, people will be looking forward to some summer sunshine to break up the time spent at home in the UK. But with the unpredictable British weather, the best solution for some guaranteed sunshine is often to head abroad.
Some popular European destinations—such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and Portugal — are often packed with holidaymakers in the next few weeks. Most of these countries are a few hours away from the UK by plane, making it manageable for those travelling with little ones.
But, it’s worth getting up to date with the latest rules and regulations before setting off to a new country. The UK Foreign Office provides most of the information you need, covering updates on every country worldwide.
We’ve picked out some of the more popular destinations to help people be fully aware of any risks or new rules they might not have had to deal with on their last holiday. For example, the latest updates suggest people travelling to Portugal will be affected by strikes.
The website reads: “Industrial action by baggage handlers at Portuguese airports from Friday to Monday during July and August may cause delays.” This advice was correct at the time of writing (July 25, 2025).
However, these are always subject to change, so the best place to check for new updates would be directly with the Foreign Office on the GOV.UK website, selecting the relevant country. This guide offers general advice on some of the significant things travellers need to know in advance, with more details available online.
Passport requirements:
For all of the above destinations, passport rules are essentially the same. Before you are allowed to jet off, your passport must be:
- issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’).
- valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’).
Check that your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before October 1, 2018, then extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British Citizen’ passport from the UK for the most common types of travel. The authorities in the country you are visiting set and enforce entry rules. If you’re unsure how these requirements apply to you, contact the local embassy or consulate in the UK.
Check with your travel provider to ensure that your passport and other travel documents meet the requirements. If necessary, renew your passport.
Do I need a visa?
You can typically travel without a visa from the UK to Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, and Greece. These countries are part of the Schengen area of the EU, which grants travel for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training. The area covers 29 European countries and 4 non-European countries, all listed on the GOV.UK website.
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is not currently operating but is expected to start in October 2025. This new digital border system will change requirements for British nationals travelling to the Schengen area. The European Union will provide more updates about the specific start date before its launch.
Vaccination requirements and medical care:
Travellers should be updated with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK. These vaccinations include the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and the diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine.
Under the International Health Regulations, there are no certificate requirements. This applies to all of the countries mentioned in this article.
All travellers should ensure they have adequate travel health insurance. If visiting European Union (EU) countries, carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) as this will allow access to state-provided healthcare in some countries at a reduced cost.