Travel essentials

Make sure your passport expiry date meets the entry requirements for your destination. Some countries require at least 6 months’ validity. For the latest guidance, visit: Foreign travel advice - GOV.UK

Depending on your destination and nationality, you may need a visa or specific vaccinations before you travel.

Up-to-date information can be found here: Foreign travel advice - GOV.UK

What is EES?

• An automated IT system to register non-EU nationals (third-country nationals) every time they cross an external border of the Schengen Area for short stays (i.e. visa holders and visa-exempt under the 90/180-day rule).
• It collects biometric data: facial image + four fingerprints, along with travel document details, place & date of entry and exit.
• It replaces the current system of manual passport stamping, which EES is intended to make obsolete.

Why it’s being introduced

• To improve border security: better detect identity fraud, make sure people don’t overstay, check entry & exit efficiently.
• To modernise & speed up border processes: fewer delays once systems are in place and staff are adjusted. Self-service and automated checks are part of this.
• To have reliable, consistent data (who enters/exits, when/where) and reduce dependency on manual systems.

Who is affected

• Non-EU nationals making short stays (visa or visa-exempt) in Schengen member states and in associated Schengen states (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland).

When & How it will roll out

• Start date: EES begins operations on October 2025.
• Transition / rollout period: over about six months after that, during which some border crossings will start using it, others will phase in.
• Full operational date: expected by September 2026, when all external borders crossing points of Schengen will use EES and passport stamping is largely phased out.

What changes travellers should expect

• Instead of manually getting passport stamps, biometric registration will happen (photo & fingerprints) at border entry/exit.
• During the phased rollout some border points may not yet have the system; stamping may continue temporarily.
• Border checks may take a bit longer initially as systems and staff adjust. But over time it should make crossings smoother.

You can find out more by checking the Entry/Exit System (EES) - EES website

There are plans to introduce the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The date this will be launched has not been confirmed, but it's expected to be in the last quarter of 2026.

The ETIAS will be a bit like an ESTA that you’d apply for when travelling to the USA. It’s not a visa, but if you’re visiting an EU or Schengen Zone country for a short stay (normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period), you’ll need to register your details before you travel via a quick and easy online form – it’ll cost €20 and will be valid for three years.

You can find out more by checking the EU ETIAS website.

Ensure you have adequate travel insurance in place that covers your golf holiday, including activities and equipment. Travel insurance is not included on any Golfbreaks booking.

You can get a quote here: https://www.golfbreaks.com/en-gb/partners/golf-insurance/

Travel guidance can change quickly. We recommend checking FCDO advice before departure and signing up for Travel Aware email alerts for updates while you’re away. (Foreign travel advice - GOV.UK)

Le Shuttle

In order to travel on Le Shuttle, you will need the following:

• Le Shuttle confirmation with booking reference number
• Valid passport for each passenger
• Advanced Passenger Information provided to Le Shuttle before you travel
• A Driving license for each Vehicle Driver
• Proof of Car insurance
• Car registration documents

Car hire

You will need the following to ensure you can collect your car hire:

• Car hire confirmation with booking reference number
• Full driving licence
• Credit card in the main driver’s name with sufficient funds for a security deposit

Transfers

For full details of your transfers, please log into your booking where all the information will be provided.

Flights

For all the information about your flights, please log into your booking where you will be able to see what is required before you travel.

As inclement weather is inevitable during the course of the year, hotels and golf courses may either close the golf course or operate temporary tees and greens at their sole discretion.

In the event of this happening, our Inclement Weather policy is as follows:

1. Prior to arrival date Details of each golf courses inclement weather policy are available from our service team - email: [email protected].

If requested to do so we will call and check the status of the golf course on your behalf. Should you choose not to travel, subject to the policy of the supplier in these circumstances, we will try and postpone your golf break; however price supplements may be incurred depending on when your break is re-booked for. No refunds are available under any circumstance for cancellations made due to course closure.

2. During your golf break Golf played on temporary greens and tees is non-refundable and is considered to be an accepted part of playing winter golf. Please note that trolley and buggy bans occur frequently when a course is wet and are determined by those in charge of the golf course.

If you are unable to play golf on your break due to course closure we will, without guarantee and at the supplier’s discretion, try and obtain a partial refund or green fee vouchers for the golf element of the break. It is however worth noting that we sell winter breaks at a discounted rate and so any refund will not be equivalent to the full green fee and with many of our winter breaks the golf element is considered complimentary.

Each hotel and golf course sets its own inclement weather policy. All decisions regarding partial refunds or green fee vouchers are solely at the discretion of the hotel and golf course and are final.

We cannot be held responsible should inclement weather prevail.

Access your itinerary, hotel details, golf courses, transfers and booking documents in the Golfbreaks App.

The app is personalised for both lead bookers and guests.

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