There would be changes if you visit the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland and the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
It would mean that from 12 April 2019, the rules for passports, driving, EHICcards, pet travel and more would change. Check if you need to act now to make sure you can travel as planned.
There would be no immediate changes to travel if the UK agrees a deal to leave the EU. The rules would be the same until at least 2020.
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You can also get travel advice for the country you’re visiting, including local information about travel, laws and customs, and money.
Passports: check if you need to renew
You may need to renew your British passport earlier if you’re travelling after 12 April and there’s no deal.
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 a 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.
Entering other countries
Visas: you should not need one for short trips
If there is a deal, there will be no changes to how you enter the EU or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland until at least 31 December 2020. You will continue to be able to travel or work without a visa during this time.
If there’s no deal, 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, even if there’s no deal. You’ll continue to be able to travel and work there in the same way as before.
Border control: you may have to show your return ticket and money
There will be other changes from 12 April 2019 if there’s no deal.
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
Healthcare: check you’re covered
Whether there’s a deal or not, you should always get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you go abroad.
If there’s a deal, you’ll continue to get state-provided healthcare in the EU if you have a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) card. The scheme also covers Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
If there’s no deal, your 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 from 12 April if there’s no deal. What these depend on how you’re travelling.
However you travel, check before you leave for any delays or disruption.
Driving: you may need extra documents
If there’s a deal, you can continue to drive in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland in the same way as before. Bring your UK driving licence, and your V5C (log book) if you’re taking your vehicle from the UK.
You’ll need some extra documents if there’s no deal.
If you’re taking your vehicle, you’ll need:
- a free ‘green card’ – allow 1 month to get this from your car insurance company
- a GB sticker for your car
- an International Driving Permit (IDP) – get this over the counter in participating Post Offices (each permit costs £5.50)
If you’re hiring a vehicle abroad, you’ll need an IDP – get this before you leave.
You will not need an IDP to drive in Ireland.
Follow the guidance on preparing to drive after Brexit for more information. This includes changes to which IDP you need to drive in other European countries.
Flights, ferries, cruises, Eurostar and Eurotunnel, bus and coach services
Even if there’s no deal, 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
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, even if there’s no deal. 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.
Pet travel: allow 4 months to arrange
If there’s no deal, you will not be able to use the existing pet passport scheme.
Instead, you’ll need to follow a different process, which takes 4 months.
Follow the guidance about pet travel to Europe after Brexit.
Mobile data roaming: free-roaming may end
If there’s no deal, 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 12 April.
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 you how you can do this.
If your travel company goes out of business
You’re protected if you buy a package holiday and the company goes out of business.
You get this cover even if it’s an EU company and there’s no deal, as long as the company targets UK customers.
Otherwise, you can claim compensation if you used your credit card. You’ll continue to be able to claim for payments between £100 and £30,000.
Other Brexit changes
There are other changes that may apply when the UK leaves the EU.
If there’s no deal, you’ll need to declare cash of £10,000 or more (or the equivalent in another currency) if you take it between the UK and any other country.
If you’re a business:
- you may need to make a customs declaration if you take goods with you to sell abroad
- find out what else you need to do to prepare your business for Brexit
There’s different guidance if you’re:
Article source: https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-brexit