Category: Immigration updates

Visas, Immigration & Nationality

What Schengen Membership Means for Travel in Romania and Bulgaria

Starting January 1, 2025, Romania and Bulgaria will officially become full members of the Schengen Area, Europe’s borderless travel zone.  This landmark move will simplify travel between these countries and the rest of the Schengen states for over 450 million citizens. Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union (EU) in 2007, but border controls have…
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UK Updates Travel Advice for Israel

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Israel, easing restrictions for several popular tourist destinations.  Previously, the FCDO advised against “all travel” or “all but essential travel” to most parts of Israel. The revised guidance applies to major tourist destinations, including: Travellers are now encouraged to consult the…
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Greece Approves Major Tax Hikes for Tourists: Will It Affect Your Plans?

Planning a trip to Greece next year? Get ready to budget a little more.  Starting in 2025, Greece will introduce significantly higher tourist taxes on accommodations and cruise ship visits. The move, approved by the Greek Parliament, is aimed at addressing the financial toll of climate change, which has brought devastating floods, droughts, and wildfires…
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Spain’s Plans to End Golden Visa Program Blocked By Senate

Spain’s plan to abolish its Golden Visa program, set to take effect in January 2025, has hit a snag. Last month, the Spanish Congress approved the ban, but on December 2, the Senate vetoed the bill, delaying its implementation and possibly derailing it altogether. The Senate, controlled by the center-right Partido Popular (PP), opposed the…
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Netherlands Tightens Internal Border Controls

The Netherlands has launched temporary border checks at its crossings with Germany and Belgium to address irregular immigration, Minister of Asylum and Migration Marjolein Faber announced on December 9, 2024.  The initiative aims to curb the “influx” of migrants and enhance national security. The border controls will involve random checks and mobile inspections of vehicles…
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