Urgent advice issued to Brits travelling to Greece this summer

As the cold winter months are drawing to a close, most of us will be looking forward to our summer holiday.

But hopes of a relaxing break could be shattered if you are travelling to one destination this year.

Urgent travel advice has been issued to any Brits going to Greece.

For those looking forward to getting a sun-kissed glow in Athens, Corfu or Crete, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has a warning for you.

From early  April 7, there will be additional passport checks when entering the country, Birmingham Mail reports.

Here is everything you need to know about the changes:

When are the checks being implemented?

 

The increased checks will be carried out by the Hellenic Police from Sunday, April 7.

Why are Brits being checked?

The checks are being carried out on any European citizen travelling to or from outside the Schengen area.

Despite being in the EU, the UK is not in Schengen, along with other member states Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania (Romania and Bulgaria are in the process of joining).

The FCO has warned that increased waiting times will follow.

A spokesperson for the FCO said: "As of 7 April 2019, the Hellenic Police will begin implementing systematic passport control checks for all European citizens travelling to/from destinations outside the Schengen area (including the UK) in line with a 2017 Schengen Borders Code regulation.

"Increased waiting times at passport control are possible on departure from and arrival into Greece.

"You should ensure you arrive at the airport in good time."

More advice if you're travelling to Greece

 

Around 3 million Brits travel to Greece each year. The FCO has issued further advice on strikes, severe weather and mosquito-born illness.

"There are regular strikes, sometimes called at short notice that can cause disruption to public transport (including air travel and ports), as well as road networks and borders," the authority said. "You should avoid all demonstrations and follow the advice given by local security authorities.

"Localised or severe weather extremes, including wildfires, can affect areas of Greece over the extended summer period. At times, this can cause travel disruption. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the  Greek Meteorological Service  or  European Meteorological Services website, follow the advice of local authorities at all times and check with your travel provider for travel updates.

"There were a number of cases of West Nile virus in Greece in 2018. You should consider preventative measures to minimise exposure to mosquitoes, for example using mosquito repellent when outdoors and closing doors or windows or using screens."