Holidaymakers heading to an EU destination have been issued a stark warning about a £36.30 daily requirement as fresh regulations take effect for anyone journeying to the continent.

The new exit/entry system launches on October 12, requiring travellers to provide biometric data including fingerprints.

Yet certain nations have seized this opportunity to reinforce existing regulations whilst introducing additional requirements for British visitors.

Tourists can anticipate scrutiny over their financial resources during their trip – with officials potentially demanding evidence at border control.

Television travel expert Simon Calder, a regular face on BBC Breakfast, revealed on X that France will serve as a prime example of these enforced regulations, demanding Brits show proof of accommodation reservations, return tickets to the UK, adequate funds to sustain themselves – €41.58 per day or £36.30 – plus newly mandated medical insurance.

Mr Calder explained: “When the EU entry-exit system takes effect on 12 October, the French government will challenge British travellers to comply with a set of rules that have been largely dormant for decades.

“Passengers on Eurostar at London St Pancras International will be asked whether they have sufficient cash, accommodation booked, a return ticket and medical insurance.

“Those who fail on one or more counts could be turned away – even if they are travelling non-stop through France to Belgium, which has less strict rules.”

He explained that France is opting to enforce additional regulations beyond the standard Schengen zone requirements – potentially creating headaches for certain holidaymakers, particularly those facing sky-high medical insurance costs who opt to travel uninsured.

EES stands for the EU Entry/Exit System, a computerised digital border framework launching on October 12, 2025.

The system will monitor non-EU nationals entering and leaving the Schengen zone, replacing manual passport stamping by gathering biometric information, including fingerprints and facial scans, at automated kiosks or with border officials.

The technology is designed to enhance security, identify visa overstayers, and accelerate border procedures, although it may initially cause longer queuing times.

This encompasses the majority of the EU (excluding Cyprus and Ireland) plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

Regarding medical insurance modifications, the French authorities state: “You must have an insurance certificate covering all medical and hospital expenses for which you may be liable for the duration of your stay in France, as well as medical repatriation costs and expenses in the event of death.”

The EU states which demand financial requirements

• Austria individually
• Belgium €45 (private accommodation) / €95 (hotel)
• Hungary €3
• Germany €45
• Greece €50; minimum €300 for 5 days
• Denmark €47
• Estonia €86
• Italy €269.60 (up to 5 days per person)
• Spain €71
• Latvia €14
• Lithuania €40
• Liechtenstein €91 (€27 for students)
• Luxembourg individual
• Malta €48
• Netherlands €34
• Norway ~€47 (500 Norwegian kroner)
• Poland 300 zloty (≤3 days) / 100 zloty/day (>3 days)
• Portugal €75 + €40/day
• Slovakia €56
• Slovenia €70 (€35 for minors accompanied by parents)
• Finland €30
• France €32.50 (with accommodation) / €120 (without proof of accommodation)
• Czech Republic €40
• Sweden €47
• Switzerland €91 (€27 for students)

The criteria for accessing the Schengen territory remain unchanged since Brexit, when Britain secured arrangements for UK travellers to be classified as “third-country nationals”.

Passports must have been issued within the past decade on the date of arrival, and possess at least three months’ validity remaining on the planned departure date. Holidaymakers must, upon request, provide proof that they have booked lodging, adequate funds and an exit ticket.

Additionally, however, individual member states can enforce their own stipulations.

France stands as the sole Schengen country that requires visitors to hold medical insurance, with this obligation becoming explicit for Eurostar travellers from 12 October.

A spokesperson for the UK government said: “Medical insurance will not be a mandatory requirement for UK citizens travelling to the EU under EES. However, we strongly recommend that all passengers purchase comprehensive travel insurance, including medical cover, before travelling abroad.”