After many years of deliberation, Brexit has finally been delivered. Regardless of how you voted, the period of indecisiveness has been concluded, and we can all move forward. However, there are certain things which remain unclear in the post-Brexit world, and European travel seems one of them.
To clear up any confusion, we’ve put together the following checklist so your mind can be put to rest. The first thing to point out is that for the rest of 2020, nothing at all will be changing, so you do not need to do anything. If you’ve been putting off booking your next holiday, then there is no need to delay any further – go ahead!
Any changes only take place from 1st January 2021 and the first one you need to consider for your holiday is your passport. To travel to Europe after that date, you need to ensure your passport still has 6 months left on it after it you return. If you require a new passport, then you will also need a new photo, and you can use an online passport photo maker. The second thing you need to consider is how old your passport is – they must be less than 10 years old when you travel even if it still has 6 months validity left in it after your return.
Other travel elements for you to consider from the time when our agreement with Europe ends at the start of 2021 are as follows:
Visas – you will not need a visa for leisure travel if visiting a country in Europe. You will be able to stay in the countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day window as long as you do not conduct any business while there.
Protect your health – your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) used to allow you access to medical treatment while in European countries. This may not be valid after the 1st January 2021, so you will need to purchase adequate medical insurance suitable for travel. This is always advisable anyway but will be even more crucial from next year.
Driving abroad – there are certain things you must-do if you are planning to drive while away in terms of documentation. Certain countries you may visit will require you to acquire an International Driving Permit (IDP), so please ensure you check this requirement before you travel. If you are taking your car with you, you will need to affix a GB sticker to it, and you will need to request a green card from your insurer. Green cards can take up to 1 month to arrive so make you ask for it in plenty of time.
Pet vacation – pet passports are changing too. It will take up to 4 months to get hold of the new style of the passport they will need, and you will need one as the old form will no longer be valid. Your pet’s passport is just as important as your own, and you do not want to leave your companion behind by not getting it sorted in enough time!
As you can see, there are some travel ramifications in the post-Brexit world, but with a little planning, they won’t cause too much impact. Just ensure your passport and other documentation is in place well before you depart.