TRAVELLING TO EUROPE AFTER BREXIT: HOW WILL YOUR HOLIDAY BE AFFECTED?

Below all you need to know via ‘Condé Nast Traveller’ Visit them here

Before travelling always check the Latest Government Travel Advice, our advice may be out of date, we try our best, but therefore the responsibility is yours.

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Since the stroke of eleven on the evening of 31 December 2020, the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the European Union. So new year, new rules for anyone planning on visiting an EU country. Here we answer your questions about your next holiday in Europe.

DO UK CITIZENS HAVE TO USE THE NON-EU PASSPORT QUEUES NOW?
Yes. Say goodbye to the fast-track EU passport control. And while European Union citizens are unconditionally admitted to EU nations on production of valid ID, the same will not apply to British travellers from 2021. Frontier officials may enquire, for example, about your plans and proposed financial support.

DO UK PASSPORTS NEED TO BE VALID FOR UP TO 15 MONTHS TO TRAVEL TO THE EU NOW?
UK travellers to the EU will need their passports to have at least six months’ validity remaining on the day of entry and be less than 10 years' old. But a combination of relaxed British policies on passport issue (holders could carry over up to nine months from their previous passport) and strict European Union rules on non-EU documents means that a passport expiring in 14 months, 29 days might not be deemed acceptable.

DO I NEED A NEW PASSPORT?
Most British passports carry the words ‘European Union’, which until this year gave the right to automatic admission to other EU countries. Now Brexit has happened they will continue to be valid as British travel documents until their normal expiry date – so no, you do not need a new passport in order to travel – but they will lose their power as European Union passports, and may become subject to strict new rules on validity, particularly with regard to free movement.

I AM AWAY IN EUROPE AT THE START OF 2021, WITH TWO MONTHS REMAINING ON MY PASSPORT. AM I IN TROUBLE?
We see no possibility whatsoever that British travellers already in Europe on short visits will be pursued for technical infringements of passport rules.
DO UK TRAVELLERS NEED TO APPLY IN ADVANCE TO VISIT THE EU?
No. The recent agreement between the UK and the EU has allowed for visa-free travel for short visits – up to 90 days in any 180-day period (excluding any trips to Ireland, Croatia, Bulgaria and other non-Schengen states, for which there's no limit on the length of trip). Brussels has said that British visitors will be visa-exempt 'third-country nationals' initially, which means that they need not apply in advance. But within a year or so, British citizens will be subject to the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which the EU is working to impose no later than 2022.
The system is aimed at reducing the ‘migration, security or public-health risk’ from nationals of visa-exempt third countries (which is what the UK is after Brexit). ETIAS is similar to the US ESTA scheme. Prospective British visitors to the EU will be required to complete an online form including questions on health, employment and criminal convictions. The fee of €7 (£6/$8) buys a permit valid for three years. On arrival at an EU border, ‘Travellers would have their data verified, their picture or fingerprint taken and a set of questions asked,’ said an EU briefing paper.

WILL FRONTIER FORMALITIES TAKE LONGER NOW?
Now that Britain has bid a tearful adieu/auf wiedersehen/adios to the European Union, ‘UK nationals will not be entitled to use the separate lanes provided for EU/EEA/CH citizens to carry out checks at border crossings and will be subject to thorough checks of all entry conditions for third-country nationals.’

If your destination is Ireland, nothing will change – there will be no border checks. Portugal has announced that it will provide special ‘fast-track’ lanes for British travellers. And at a sleepy Greek Island airport it is possible that checks will take just as long, or as short, as they do now.

WILL EU CITIZENS FIND IT HARDER TO GAIN ENTRY TO THE UK?
Currently, European Union citizens can visit the UK with national ID cards. But from 1 October 2021, these cards will no longer be accepted. After that, they will need to show a valid passport and travel documents covering the dates of their trip.

DOES THIS AFFECT FLIGHTS AT ALL?
Of course, the current situation means that few people are travelling to Europe anyway, but there have been reports of disruption for some expat Britons returning to their countries of residence. This is caused by ground-level confusion over British travellers' new status as 'third-country nationals' and by miscommunication over ever-changing Covid restrictions (concerns over the new strain of virus has caused some countries to ban flights from the UK) rather than any official policy.
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AND WHAT ABOUT REFUNDS?
Your consumer rights are unaffected by Brexit – you'll be able to claim a refund or compensation if travel is delayed or cancelled.

DO I NEED TO GET ANOTHER DRIVING LICENCE?
No, thankfully a British driving licence will still be valid for driving and car rental in the EU. But you'll need to display a GB bumper sticker next to your number plate.
… AND SPECIAL CAR INSURANCE?
The British Government says that from the start of 2021, motorists might be wise to get a ‘green card’ – a certificate extending their travel insurance to the minimum legal requirements in EU countries.
‘Allow one month to get this from your vehicle insurance company,’ says the official advice.

DO I STILL GET FREE HEALTH CARE?
Good news. Yes. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which confers the right to medical care for British travellers on the same basis as local people in other EU countries, will still be valid until it expires. After that, a replacement called the GHIC is being planned, details of which are a bit hazy right now. If you don't have an existing EHIC card, you can still apply for one here.

DOES MY TRAVEL INSURANCE CEASE TO BE VALID?
Many travel insurance policies specify that the EHIC must be used in Europe. But the Association of British Insurers (ABI) tells us: ‘The primary role of travel insurance is to provide emergency medical care for people overseas, and this will continue.’ Travel insurance is not obligatory, but is recommended.

IS IT TOUGHER FOR ME TO TAKE MY PET ABROAD?
EU pet passports are no longer valid, but owners and pets are allowed to travel within the EU if they have an animal health certificate (AHC). This will be valid for four months, and you'll need a new one each time you travel – ask your vet a month before you travel.

ARE WE BACK TO THE BAD OLD DAYS OF £2-A-MINUTE ROAMING CHARGES?
The EU-wide ban on roaming charges for phone calls and internet use will no longer apply for people with UK mobile phones. Mobile providers will be free to impose whatever fees they wish, though there are no plans to do this, and the Government says it will cap the maximum for mobile data usage while abroad at £45 per month unless the user positively agrees to pay more. But competition is likely to stifle any sharp increases in costs. Dave Dyson, chief executive of Three, says his firm is ‘committed to maintaining the availability of roaming in the EU at no additional cost following Brexit’.

ARE WE ABLE TO CHANGE STERLING – OR USE UK BANK CARDS ABROAD?
Sterling 'fell off a cliff' the morning after the referendum vote, and over the following days and weeks there were some reports of pounds and UK debit cards being declined. But foreign exchange is a profitable business for lots of enterprises, and however poorly the pound is, it is a tradable commodity and there’s money to be made.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, HOW MUCH WINE CAN I NOW BRING BACK FROM EUROPE?
Sadly, now we're out of the EU, the limit is now greatly reduced: down from 90 litres to 18 litres of wine (24 bottles); 42 litres of beer and four litres of spirits or liqueurs are also allowed and up to 200 cigarettes can be brought back at any one time.

Any questions see the contact us page, or phone Keith 07973 350210.

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keith@revolutiondance.co.uk