Written on 11^th October 2019

Brexit - Checks for all types of travel

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Find out what you need to do to get ready for 31 October. This page tells you how to prepare and it will be updated if anything changes, including if a deal is agreed.

To visit Europe after Brexit there are things you need to do before you travel. These include:

• check your passport
• get travel insurance which covers your healthcare
• check you have the right driving documents

This applies both if you’re a tourist or travelling for business. Business travel includes activities such as travelling for meetings and conferences, providing services (even with a charity), and touring art or music.

There are extra actions you may need to take if you’re travelling for business.

Passports: check if you need to renew

You may need to renew your British passport earlier if you’re travelling after Brexit.

On the day you travel, you’ll need your passport to both:

• have at least 6 months left
• be less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left)

If you do not renew it, you may not be able to travel to most EU countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

You can use an online tool to check whether your passport is valid for the country you’re visiting.

It usually takes 3 weeks if you need to renew your passport. There’s a premium service if you need it sooner.

These rules do not apply to travel to Ireland. You can continue to use your passport as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay.

Can I still travel with my EEA ID card after Brexit? 
The UK government has confirmed that EU identity cards would remain valid for travel to the UK initially. Although there will be no immediate change, this cannot be guaranteed after the introduction of a new immigration system from 1 January 2021. Find out more.

Will I need a visa to travel between the UK and the EU after Brexit?
The EU has agreed to give British citizens visa-free travel to member states, even in a no-deal scenario, for trips up to 90 days. The UK had previously confirmed that EU citizens will be able to make short-term visits to the UK without a visa.  

Healthcare: check you’re covered

You should always get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you go abroad.

After Brexit your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) card may not be valid.

It’s particularly important you get travel insurance with the right cover if you have a pre-existing medical condition. This is because the EHIC scheme covers pre-existing conditions, while many travel insurance policies do not.

You can read advice on buying travel insurance with the right cover.

Travel

There may be changes after Brexit. What these are depend on how you’re travelling.

However you travel, check before you leave for any delays or disruption.

Driving: you may need extra documents

You’ll need some extra documents after Brexit.

You’ll need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some countries. Check if you need an IDP.

If you’re taking your own vehicle, you’ll also need:

• a ‘green card’ - allow 1 month to get this from your vehicle insurance company
• a GB sticker

Flights, ferries, cruises, Eurostar and Eurotunnel, bus and coach services

After Brexit, the following will be able to run as before:

• flights
• ferries and cruises
• the Eurostar and Eurotunnel
• bus and coach services between the UK and the EU

Brexit and Eurostar services

Will there be changes to Eurostar’s service after Brexit? https://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/brexit

Will I still be able to use my European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) after Brexit?

Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) might not be valid after Brexit. So you should always ensure that you have travel insurance with healthcare cover before you travel abroad. And it’s important to check the terms of your policy, as some policies don’t cover pre-existing medical conditions

If you’re flying:

• airport security procedures will not change for direct flights to and from the UK
• there should not be delays at airport security if you change flights in EU airports

Bus and coach services to non-EU countries, for example Switzerland or Andorra, may not be able to run. The government is working to make sure these continue with minimal or no disruption. Check back for updates or contact the company you booked with if you’ve any questions.

However you travel, check with the company you’re travelling with for any delays or disruption before you leave.

Compensation if your travel is disrupted

Some travel insurance policies only cover certain types of disruption. Check your provider’s terms and conditions to make sure you have the cover you need if your travel is cancelled or delayed.

Your consumer rights will not change after Brexit. This means that if your travel is cancelled or delayed you may be able to claim a refund or compensation. Check your booking’s terms and conditions to find out more.

Buying duty-free after Brexit

Some rules will temporarily change. You’ll be able to buy duty-free tobacco and alcohol when you’re travelling to the EU:

• from ports, airports and international train stations in the UK
• on board ships, planes and trains from the UK

This guidance does not apply to bringing goods from Northern Ireland to Ireland.

Countries have different duty-free limits. Check before you travel to see how much you can take in.

Some rules are changing around the duty you’ll pay on goods you bring back from the EU after Brexit.

Entering other countries

Visas: you should not need one for short trips

After Brexit, you will not need a visa for short trips, according to European Commission proposals. You could stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You may need a visa or permit to stay for longer, or to work or study.

Check back for updates.

When the rules are confirmed, information about how to get a visa if you need one will be on each country’s travel advice page.

Travel to Ireland will not change after Brexit. You’ll also be able to work in Ireland in the same way as before.

The rules may be different if you’re travelling for business.

Border control: you may have to show your return ticket and money

At border control, you may need to:

• show a return or onward ticket
• show you have enough money for your stay
• use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing

Mobile data roaming: free roaming may end

After Brexit, the guarantee of free mobile phone roaming throughout the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will end.

Check with your phone operator to find out about any roaming charges you might get after 31 October 2019.

A new law means that you’re protected from getting mobile data charges above £45 without you knowing.

Once you reach £45, you need to opt in to spend more so that you can continue using the internet while you’re abroad. Your phone operator will tell how you can do this.

More information on www.gov.uk/visit-europe-brexit. 

As well as the actions all travellers need to take, there are extra actions if you’re travelling to the EU for business.

Business travel includes activities such as travelling for meetings and conferences, providing services (even with a charity), and touring art or music.

Entry requirements

The country you’re travelling to might have its own entry requirements, or ask you to have certain documents.

Check the entry requirements for the country you’re visiting.

Professional qualifications

Check your qualifications will be recognised in the EU if you provide services like legal services.

Earning money in the EU

You might need to tell HMRC you’ll be working in the EU.

Check whether you’ll need to pay social security contributions in the country you’re working in.

Insurance

Check whether you need indemnity insurance for your employees.

Taking goods into the EU

Check you’ve got the right documentation to take goods to the EU

For any further advice for travel bookers surrounding Brexit, please contact you TAG Account Manager.