France has announced it will extend internal border controls until April next year.

The current increased checks, introduced due to heightened terrorist threats, were due to end on 31 October.

The controls will be in place along France’s Schengen borders with Belgium, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany and Italy.

Travellers have been warned to expect queues and delays.

In September, Germany introduced similar ramped-up checks which have led to traffic jams at the border.

France steps up border controls amid terrorist concerns

France’s current border controls will end on 31 October, but a new set of checks will come into effect from 1 November.

The heightened security measures will be in place until 20 April 2025.

The extension comes after growing concerns over public safety amid threats of terrorist activity and criminal organisations connected to illegal migration.

Where are France’s increased border checks in place?

The new border controls only affect Schengen zone countries – Belgium, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany and Italy.

If you are entering France from a non-Schengen country, such as the UK, there will be no change to checks as passport and customs controls are already in place.

It will also not affect the requirement for passport stamps for non-EU nationals or the maximum permitted stay of 90 days in Schengen zone countries.

If you fly into France from any Schengen country other than the six that border it, there will be no change in border controls.

How will France’s new Schengen border controls affect travellers?

Normally, travellers passing between Schengen zone countries can move freely without passport checks.

However, countries are permitted to impose temporary increased controls for a set time period if deemed necessary – as occurred during the COVID pandemic for example.

Citing security concerns, France has chosen to ramp up checks along Schengen borders for land, sea and air travel.

This means travellers from Belgium, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany and Italy will have to show a form of ID such as a passport or national ID card.

Non-EU nationals who are resident in France may need to show their carte de séjour too.

Travellers warned of queues at French land border

Travellers most affected will be those crossing into France via land borders. Those arriving by car or bus are advised to allow for extra time.

Germany’s increased security checks have resulted in traffic jams and queues at borders.

Those travelling between France and Germany should be aware they might face checks at both borders.

What other countries have increased checks at Schengen borders?

Austria has increased checks in place with Slovenia and Hungary until 11 November.

Denmark, Norway and Sweden have stepped up border security on all internal borders until 11 November.

In Slovenia, checks are in place at the border with Croatia and Hungary until 21 December.

Europe is home to some of the best ski resorts worldwide, from glitzy Alpine retreats to budget-friendly slopes in Serbia.

To help you pick this winter’s destination, travel booking website Omio has released a new ranking of ski resorts around the globe.

The research assessed over 6,000 resorts based on 11 different factors including the cost of an adult, youth and child ticket, customer ratings, if there is access to a ski school, the distance of each course and the number of events at the resort during the season.

The number one spot went to a European ski resort where passes start at around €30 – which is a relief after prices across Europe’s slopes were hiked last season.

This Swiss ski resort has been named the best in the world

Omio found the best ski resort in the world to be Arosa Lenzerheide in Switzerland, located in the Lenzerheide region in the east of the country.

Arosa Lenzerheide scored an impressive 91.73 on the booking website’s custom index scale, beating out Sölden, in Austria, which scored 91.68.

According to Omio’s research, this resort has an impressive 4.7 out of 5-star review average from previous customers. The price of a day pass for an adult is €89, for youth €59 and for children €29.

These prices are slightly on the more expensive side compared to other resorts, but you are paying for state-of-the-art facilities and the opportunity to enjoy the great variety of ski runs or relax in cosy mountain restaurants.

For skiers and snowboarders, there are 225 kilometres of slopes with reliable snow cover and there are also 43 lifts for transportation, so you won’t be waiting in long queues to get on the slopes.

The resort also holds seven events during the ski season including the FIS Ski Cross World Cup Arosa and the Swiss Snow Walk and Run.

Zurich airport is the closest place to fly to reach the ski resort, but you could also consider arriving by train from other European cities.

The top 20 ski resorts in the world are located in Europe

It may come as no surprise that European destinations dominate the rankings due to their geography. The Alps have long been a popular destination for ski-goers but now travellers can easily find the best resorts based on their preferred holiday destination.

Five resorts in Switzerland feature in the top 20 rankings, whilst Austrian resorts take 12 of the spots. Resorts in Italy and France took the other three places.