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27-Dec-2020
From January 1, 2021, the transition period will finish which will result in changes to the way we travel to Europe, from passports to health cover to driving in Europe, below we give you a quick checklist. Updated: 27 December 2020
Passports after Brexit
You do not necessarily need to renew your Passport, a UK passport is valid for travel to Europe if:
It has six months left before expiry on the date of travel
It was issued less than 10 years before the date of travel
The new rules do not apply when travelling to Ireland.
Take out appropriate travel insurance with health cover before travelling to the EU
If you enter the EU on or after 1 January 2021 the E111/EHIC EU Health card will not be valid and you will need to purchase Travel Insurance with good health cover. If you were already in the EU on 1 January 2021, technically, you should still be covered.
Mobile Phone Roaming Charges
Pre-Brexit Mobile phone companies were not allowed to levy roaming charges for mobile use in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein
Before travelling you should check if your provider has decided to reimpose roaming charges as the cost could be significant. Currently, most major providers have said they will not reintroduce roaming charges but please do recheck before travelling.
Driving in the EU after Brexit
The regulations for driving in the EU after Brexit are still a little sketchy but are likely to involve carrying/having:
An International Driving Permit – these are available over the counter at Post Office’s and cost £5.50 for the most common version of an IDP and £11.50 for both versions used in the EU.
The Post office has a useful link to check the correct IDP per Country of travel - Click Here
Green Card: Green cards are international certificates of insurance ensuring third party cover in the countries they are driving in/through. The Association of British Insurers is recommending carrying a physical copy and also advises you to contact your insurance company at least a month in advance. Interestingly the certificate is supposed to be printed on Green paper.
GB Sticker – Post-Brexit a GB sticker is required to be displayed for all EU countries including the Republic of Ireland.
Do UK citizens need a visa to enter the EU?
For tourism purposes, you will not need a visa to travel to the EU, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland as long as your combined stays do not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.
Visits to Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia & Romania will not count towards the 90-day total stay rule.
UK Passport holders will no longer be able to use the shorter "fast track" EU queues although individual countries can choose to allow this and we should have more info early in 2021 once the main treaty changes have been approved.
The Main changes to Customs rules
You will not be able to take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries from 1 January 2021.
There are some exceptions, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons. Full details can be read here.
Duty Free purchases will be reintroduced when travelling to the EU and the allowances look quite generous! For the full details on allowances click here
Travel Protection post Brexit
Consumer rights in relation to Travel will remain the same after Brexit as they were before Brexit; the right to compensation or refunds for delayed or cancelled flights stays in place as do the Package Travel Regulations which have been incorporated into UK law. Full info can be read here.