Shortly after Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, two terrorist attacks took place in France and Belgium, and bomb alerts triggered high-security measures at several European airports. The escalation of violence in the Middle East prompted several members of the 27-country Schengen Area to introduce temporary border controls due to an increased risk of possible infiltration by violent extremists and increased illegal migrations by sea via the eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans through land routes. These threats, along with Russia’s war against Ukraine, the threat of espionage by foreign states and potential sabotage of critical infrastructure, have also prompted the implementation of enhanced border control measures.

What to Expect:

Travellers should expect possible delays and disruptions at affected Schengen Area borders due to the temporary reintroduction of border controls. These measures have been implemented by several countries in response to heightened security threats, including recent terrorist attacks, regional conflicts and risks of illegal migration.