If you are planning a trip abroad over the Easter break or during the summer, you might want to keep up to date with the latest travel advice.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issues advice for each country for UK travellers - including on entry requirements and more. Here's its current travel advice for UK holidaymakers planning a trip to Italy or France.
For full details and more advice if travelling to another country, you can check out the gov.uk website.
READ MORE: Foreign Office alert to UK holidaymakers travelling to 29 European countries
READ MORE: UK Foreign Office advice for travellers going to Spain, Greece and Turkey
Foreign Office advice for those going to Italy
Warnings and insurance
The Jubilee 2025, known as the Holy Year, will take place in Rome from 24 December 2024 to 6 January 2026. The city is expected to be very busy.
Entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK.
Italy follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must: have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago, and have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Visa requirements
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Italy, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. 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.
To stay longer, you must meet the Italian government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Safety and security
Terrorist attacks in Italy cannot be ruled out. Italian authorities have increased security around some Jewish community sites due to events in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Stay aware of your surroundings, stay away from demonstrations and follow the advice of local authorities.
Demonstrations can happen with little or no warning in cities. Avoid any protests, political gatherings or marches.
The higher number of travellers during the Holy Year could increase levels of petty crime. Crime levels are generally low but there are higher levels of petty crime, particularly bag-snatching and pickpocketing, in city centres and at major tourist attractions.
Thefts from parked cars happen in Rome, particularly in the Colosseum area, Ostia, Milan and Pisa. Thieves also target coastal areas and towns, and motorway service stations. Avoid leaving luggage in your vehicle – even out of sight in the boot – for any length of time.
Many major cities in Italy impose a small tax on tourists. You must usually pay this tax at your hotel as it is unlikely to be included in your holiday booking. The rate of tax varies from city to city and can depend on the star rating of the hotel. Hotels often ask for payment in cash. Make sure you get a receipt. For more information, check with the local tourist information office.
Health
In an emergency, dial 118 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
To get medically necessary state healthcare in Italy, you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The NHS’s getting healthcare abroad has details on this.
You will need to go to a pharmacy to get most over-the-counter medicines. Pharmacies are widely available and are usually identified by a green cross. UK prescriptions are not accepted, though you may be able to buy an equivalent medication from the pharmacy.
Alternatively, you can visit an Italian GP to obtain a local prescription. Prescription medicines are not free in Italy, but with an EHIC or GHIC, and an Italian prescription, you will pay a reduced rate.
For full advice for travelling to Italy, click here.
Foreign Office advice for those going to France
Entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK.
France follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must: have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago, have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area. Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Visa requirements
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes France, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. 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 requirements for working in France are different.
If you’re travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day visa-free limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days. If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.
To stay longer than 90 days, you must meet the French government’s entry requirements.
Safety and security
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in France. Methods of attack have included knife attacks, shootings, bombings and vehicle attacks. Be vigilant in public places and follow the advice of local French authorities.
There can be frequent industrial action across France. This can lead to disruption and delays on roads and public transport. If you’re due to travel to or within France, monitor the media, check your operator’s advice and follow the advice of the authorities.
Demonstrations, political gatherings, or marches can take place with little or no warning, particularly in cities. Whilst most demonstrations are peaceful, if you’re near areas where they are taking place, you should remain aware of what is happening around you and follow the advice of the police and local authorities.
Take sensible precautions against street crime and car crime. Pickpockets can work in gangs; one distracts you while the other one goes into your bag. Thieves and pickpockets operate on the Paris Métro, on RER (train) lines and at mainline stations.
There have been several cases of serious assault on the RER line B, which serves: Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, Orly Airpor, and Paris Gare du Nord Eurostar terminus.
Wildfires can start anywhere in France during the summer months, particularly along the Mediterranean coast and in Corsica.
The French weather service have launched a fire alert map for travellers to check.
Health
In an emergency, call 112 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
To get medically necessary state healthcare in France, you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a valid existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
The NHS’s getting healthcare abroad webpage has details about this.
For full advice for travelling to France, click here.
New Schengen entry requirements expected to come into force in October 2025
The EU plans to introduce the Entry/Exit system (EES). This is a new digital border system that will change requirements for British nationals travelling to the Schengen area.
If you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area using a UK passport, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints or a photo, when you arrive. EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the EU.
EES is expected to start in October 2025. It is not currently in operation. The European Union will inform about the specific start date of the EES before its launch.
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