The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued advice for those travelling to Portugal or Turkey this Easter.
Before travelling, UK residents are urged to familiarise themselves with any entry requirements, security, safety, or health risks.
The FCDO regularly updates it travel advice, with warnings either changing rapidly, or remaining the same for months.
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A recent update was given to those planning to visit Portugal.
The update on March 20, which was ‘still current’ on March 29, warned people they must take action if they were staying for longer than 90 days, within a 180-day period due to ‘exceptional circumstances’, the Mirror reports.
The FCDO advice read: “If you’re visiting Portugal and need to extend your visa-free stay for exceptional reasons, such as a medical emergency, you must apply to AIMA using their contact form (access is only available to users in Portugal).
“If you’re in Portugal with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.
Currently, UK residents with a British passport can travel to Portugal without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, whether they are a tourist, visiting friends or family, attending a business meeting, cultural or sports events, or visiting for short-term studies or training.
Travel advice for Turkey was also updated at the start of the month, and was still relevant as of March 29.
Currently, the FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to ‘fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism’.
It also has advice for those entering Turkey across the land border from Iran, which remains open visa-free for people travelling on UK or Iranian passports (for stays of up to 90 days).
However British nationals intending to cross the land border from Iran into Turkey, must request facilitation from the British Embassy in Ankara by contacting the FCDO before travelling to the border.
People must state which border point they intend to use and provide personal details (name, date of birth, details of travel document used to enter Turkey).
They must also indicate whether they are contacting from Iran or from the UK on behalf of a relative.
The FCDO states: “The Turkish authorities advise that the Iranians have closed the crossing point at Esendere-Serow on the Iranian side to daily traders entering and exiting over the course of a day.
“The usual entry requirements will apply, including that British nationals can enter without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
“If you intend to leave Iran overland, you do so at your own risk. In Iran, holding a British passport or having perceived connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you.”