What do I need to do to travel from the UK to Europe/ From Europe to the UK after Brexit
Until recently, Britons and Europeans enjoyed visa-free travel between the countries. However, as of January 1, 2021 something changed for travelers from both sides of the Channel.
We have collected the most useful information for you to know about it.
It’s better to renew your passport
After the transition period, Europe will require British passports to be issued less than 10 years ago. You will also need to have at least 6 months of validity after your intended return date: it’s a common rule when travelling internationally. If you ignore this requirement, you may not be able to travel to most EU countries, as well as to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
After the transition period, Europe will require British passports to be less than 10 years old. You will also need to have at least 6 months of validity after your intended return date: it’s a common rule when traveling internationally. If you ignore this requirement, you may not be able to travel to most EU countries, as well as to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. This rule doesn’t include the Republic of Ireland.
The same rule is applied to EU citizens: to enter the UK you will need a passport that expires in less than 6 months.
After the transition period, Europe will require British passports to be issued less than 10 years ago. You will also need to have at least 6 months of validity after your intended return date: it’s a common rule when travelling internationally. If you ignore this requirement, you may not be able to travel to most EU countries, as well as to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
The same rule applies to EU citizens: to enter the UK you will need a passport that expires in no less than 6 months.
You will not need a visa for a short trip
British tourists will be allowed to stay in EU countries, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The arrival date in the Schengen Area will be recorded by the Schengen Information System (SIS). You can use this online tool to calculate remaining travel days.
For a longer stay, as well as for work and study reasons, a compliant visa will be required. Overstay may lead to an entry ban for 1 year.
We should also expect this change: when arriving at a passport control, UK Residents will not be able to use the EU Nationals speedy check lanes. So prepare to spend more time entering an EU country than before.
British will need to pass the ETIAS Travel Authorization (but not right now)
The ETIAS, or the European Travel Information and Authorization System, will be an online system established by the EU. It will be compulsory for citizens of over 60 world countries that so far didn’t need a Schengen visa for short trips. And the UK is in this list as well. Under ETIAS visitors to the Schengen Area will have to obtain an authorization before their trip and pay a €7 fee. An approved ETIAS will be valid for three years or the date of passport expiry. You will be able to use it for stays of up to 90 days in a 180 day period.
The ETIAS, or the European Travel Information and Authorization System, will be an online system established by the EU. It will be compulsory for citizens of over 60 world countries that so far didn’t need a Schengen visa for short trips. And the UK is in this list as well. Under Etias visitors to the Schengen Area will have to obtain an authorisation before their trip and pay a €7 fee. An approved ETIAS will be valid for three years or the date of passport expiry. You will be able to use it for stays of up to 90 days in a 180 day period.
Anyway, according to the latest news, the implementation of Etias system has been postponed. Now it’s expected to come in force only by 2022-2023.
The ETIAS, or the European Travel Information and Authorization System, will be an online system established by the EU. It will be compulsory for citizens of over 60 world countries that so far didn’t need a Schengen visa for short trips. And the UK is on this list as well. Under ETIAS visitors to the Schengen Area will have to obtain authorization before their trip and pay a €7 fee. An approved ETIAS will be valid for three years or the date of passport expiry. You will be able to use it for stays of up to 90 days in a 180 day period.
Anyway, according to the latest news, the implementation of the ETIAS system has been postponed. Now it’s expected to come in force only by 2023.
British drivers may need an International Driving Permit for riding abroad
It’s quite possible, that from 1 January 2021 some European countries will require UK drivers to have extra-documents (especially for longer visits). International Driving Permit is easy to buy at Post Offices for £5.50. It is still under discussion if IDP will be needed in the EU, but this document is quite useful anyway, as it’s already required or recommended in over 140 countries.
It’s quite possible that from 1 January 2021 some European countries will require UK drivers to have extra-documents (especially for longer visits). International Driving Permit is easy to buy at Post Offices for £5.50. It is still under discussion if IDP will be must-have for the EU, but this document is quite useful anyway, as it’s already required or recommended in over 140 countries.
You might also need the Green Card or International Insurance Card for your car, which proves that your insurance covers the minimum cover in the country you’re driving in. Ask your insurance company if they can supply you with one.
It’s quite possible, that from 1 January 2021 some European countries will require UK drivers to have extra-documents (especially for longer visits). International Driving Permit is easy to buy at Post Offices for £5.50. It is still under discussion if IDP will be needed in the EU, but this document is quite useful anyway, as it’s already required or recommended in over 140 countries.
You might also need the Green Card or International Insurance Card for your car, which proves that your insurance covers the minimum cover in the country you’re driving in. Ask your insurance company if they can supply you with one.
Free mobile roaming may end (but it’s also not certain yet)
Anyway, it will up to individual providers to decide whether or not they set charges. Currently the key UK networks like O2, Vodafone, Tesco Mobile, Giffgaff, etc. assure that they have no plans to change free roaming in Europe. But in future, their positions may change.
It’s not necessarily the case that roaming charges will return, but it is up to individual providers to decide whether or not they make changes. The trade deal between the UK and the EU encourages operators to have ‘transparent and reasonable rates’ for roaming.
Currently the key UK networks like O2, Vodafone, Giffgaff, Tesco Mobile etc. assure that they have no plans to change free roaming in Europe. But in future their position may become subject to change.
However, you will be protected from mobile data charges above £45 without you knowing. Operators are also required to send an alert once you’ve reached 80% and 100% of your own data roaming limit.
You may need to declare your cash at the border if you have £10,000 or more
From 1 January 2021, it will be compulsory to declare cash of €10,000 or more (or the equivalent in another currency) if you take it between the UK and the EU (as well as between the UK and any non-EU country). Cash declaration can be easily done online.
Your health insurance is still valid
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides medical treatment in EU countries, as well as a number of others. According to recent info, all EHIC cards already issued for Britons will be valid until their expiry date. However, only the following categories of citizens are eligible for the new EHIC card: EU citizens resident in the UK; British students studying in the European Union; and some British pensioners who live in the EU, plus their families.
In the future, the British government plans to issue a new card, called the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). Like EHIC, it will cover chronic or existing illnesses, routine maternity care and emergencies.
Travel photographs
- Make a UK passport photo for online application
- Make a EU (Schengen) visa photo for a long term stay in the EU after Brexit
Last update: December 30, 2020