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BREXIT: What You Need To Know

Travel Resource

​What You Need To Know About Travelling And Living Across UK And EU Borders

by Shaded Road
June 2019

Brexit - Deal Or No Deal

Brexit! You are probably sick of the word but also wondering if it will affect you if you’re either a Brit living in an EU country, an EU citizen living in England, or neither but have short breaks, inter-railing, and holidays planned to the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland in the next few months. As there is yet to be a Brexit deal agreed, and if the UK leaves the European Union (EU) with ‘no deal’ on the 31st October 2019 the European Commission (EC) has set out preparations for such event as it would mean that from the 31st October 2019, the rules for passports, driving, EHIC cards, pet travel and more would change.

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.

The information below, sourced from Gov.UK, applies to UK/EU, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Iceland citizens in the event of a ‘no deal’. In case there is a deal agreed before the 31st October, this article will be updated to reflect the new changes.

Travelling To Europe

Passports

You may need to renew your British passport earlier if you’re travelling after the 31st October 2019 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.
Picture
European Union Flag

Do I Need A Visa

If there is a deal UK nationals will not need a visa to visit the EU, or Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland for trips of up to 90 days within a 180 day period. There will be no changes to how you enter the above countries until at least the 31st December 2020. You will continue to be able to travel or work without a visa during this time. If there’s no deal, you may need a visa or permit to stay for longer, or to work or study.
​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

There will be other changes from 31 October 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
GB passport

European Health Insurance Card

If there is a ‘no deal’ the European Health Insurance Card scheme, which allowed both UK and EU citizens access to free health care in the EU for UK citizens and the UK for EU citizens, will no longer be available. You may then need to consider including health cover when booking your travel insurance, as advised by the EC. 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. ​

Driving In The EU

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 vehicle insurance company
  • a GB sticker
  • an International Driving Permit (IDP) for some countries
If you’re hiring a vehicle abroad, you do not need a green card or GB sticker.
Check if you need an IDP on the Post Office website. You can get them over the counter in participating branches if you do. Each permit costs £5.50.
UK drivers licence

Phone Roaming

Using your phone roam free within the EU or Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein could be a thing of the past after October 31st if there is ‘no deal’ as UK phone companies will no longer be bound by EU regulation. 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. However, many mobile providers have indicated that they will continue to offer surcharge free data roaming packages after Brexit. Currently, Vodafone, EE, O2 and 3 have no plans to change their approach to data roaming after the UK leaves the European Union. ​

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.
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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.

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.

UK Citizens Living And Working In The EU

​There are around 1.3m UK born citizens resident in the EU27 (European Union in the period 2007–2013 when it had 27 countries, or the countries that were members then), while the UK hosts about 3.2m EU 27 nationals.
​
Please visit this UK.GOV link https://www.gov.uk/uk-nationals-living-eu to understand what requirments are needed for UK citizens living in the EU or Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switerland.

EU Citizens Living And Working In The UK

The UK government has reached an agreement with the EU that will protect the rights of EU citizens and their family members living in the UK. It has also reached an agreement with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, and a separate agreement with Switzerland.
​
These agreements mean that most citizens from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland will need to apply to stay in the UK. They can then continue living their lives here as they do now. Please visit this UK.GOV link https://www.gov.uk/staying-uk-eu-citizen to find out what to do and when.  

More information on the Brexit:
https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-brexit 
https://ec.europa.eu/info/brexit/brexit-preparedness_en
http://theconversation.com/uk/topics/brexit-9976


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© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Photos used under Creative Commons from marcoverch Tim Reckmann | a59.de
  • Start Here
  • Travel Stories
    • Black Travellers You Are Needed
    • Living Abroad On A Remote Island - St Helena
    • Remembering The Margate Of Old
    • Travelling Black In Italy
    • Motorbike Rides In NSW
    • Brexit! What You Need To Know
    • Vegan x Travelling
    • Living Black In Australia
    • Russia And Racism
    • Volunteering Abroad - Career Break
  • Archaeology x Travel
    • Kenyan Archaeological Dig
  • Destinations
    • Barcelona City Guide (Kind Of)
    • Taipei Solo Travel UPDATED 2019
  • Travel Videos
  • Travel Resources