Since the end of 2020, the UK is no longer a part of the European Union. Before travelling, you must be aware of the changing rules. You should check here about the new rules for travelling in Europe after Brexit. In this article, we will help you understand everything associated with travelling to Europe post Brexit.
So, without delaying any further, let’s get right to it!
What are the things you need to check?
There are several things that you are required to check prior to your travels to Europe as a UK citizen. These are as follows:
- The latest advice for travelling based on the spread of the coronavirus
- The validity of your passport based on your dates of travel
- Your travel insurance
- Additional charges for your mobile phone
- The basic requirements for driving, including a sticker and a driving license
- The documents required for travelling with a pet
Once you have taken care of these, you are ready for your trip to the EU member nations.
Validity of passport
In case the validity of your passport is less than 6 months beginning from the date of your travels, you will not be allowed to enter Europe. Instead, you will be required to renew your passport before planning your trip. It is recommended to apply for the renewal as soon as possible since it can take a few weeks for your passport to be renewed.
Mobile phone charges
Staying connected with people is crucial, especially when you are travelling somewhere. Hence, it is best to check first if your mobile phone charges will be higher. It is possible that you will be required to pay a higher amount for using it in Liechtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, or the EU. So before you leave, find out from your service provider the charges for using your phone abroad.
In case you are wondering why rates will be higher in the EU, Brexit is the reason. If you’re still worried about higher charges, you should consider turning off roaming on your mobile phone.
Flight refunds in case of lockdown
Your buyer privileges are unaffected by Brexit — you’ll have the option to get a discount or remuneration on the off chance that movement is deferred. This means that all your money will not have been spent in vain in case of flight cancellations due to the pandemic.
Requirements for driving
If you are going to drive abroad, you will be required to carry your driving license. Luckily, there are no changes in the rules for driving. Apart from this, you will be required to carry a UK sticker for placing on your vehicle — a ‘green card’ to prove you are insured for travelling — and a certificate for your hired vehicle.
Travel insurance
If you are a resident of the UK and have an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), you will still be able to obtain healthcare in the EU member nations until the card expires. Furthermore, you must get travel insurance prior to your trip even if you have an EHIC.
In case you already have a health issue or an illness, travel insurance is unlikely to cover that. You should discuss any current illnesses with your insurer. If they cannot offer you insurance, they will at least assist you by providing a specialist insurance company that will be able to help.
Travelling with pets
Before travelling, you will be required to get health certificates and blood tests for your pet. This may take several weeks, so be sure to get started ahead of your proposed travel dates.
Who can travel to Europe?
Not every UK citizen can travel to Europe. Those who can travel are:
- Individuals that have been fully vaccinated
- Individuals that test negative for Covid-19
- Individuals who have recovered from the virus
Staying in the EU for longer
If you are interested in staying in the EU for longer than 90 days, then you will need to obtain a visa. The rules for various countries in Europe differ. Furthermore, beginning from 2022, you will be required to pay a fee of €7 to obtain a pass valid for three years.
The Bottom Line
Due to Brexit, there are several things that the British citizen must keep in mind in order to travel to Europe for work or tourism purposes. While some rules may vary for different countries, the majority of them are more or less the same for travelling across the continent.
