Key points in the new guidance:
- For travel after March 29, check your passport’s expiry date to ensure you have at least six months left until it expires. More details.
- Make sure you have adequate travel insurance, including medical cover. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which currently allows EU citizens access to state medical care in another EU country, will not be valid in the event of a no-deal Brexit. More details.
- Driving licences. Under a no-deal Brexit, post March 29, it is likely UK travellers will need to apply for an international driving permit – and you could need different permits for different EU countries. These are available from the AA, RAC or the Post Office. Currently, UK drivers do not need an additional licence to drive in the EU. More details
- Green cards for car insurance. Without a deal, UK citizens driving their vehicle in the EU will need to obtain and carry a Green Card. These will be available from insurers.
- Taking pets abroad. Under a no-deal, the requirements for documents and health checks for taking pets abroad would change. UK travellers should discuss preparations for their pet’s travel with an official vet at least four months in advance of their departure. More details
- Data roaming. Current rules, which keep the cost of calls, messages and internet usage the same in the EU as it is in the UK, will not apply under a no deal Brexit. Check with your mobile phone provider before travel.
The guidance also answers key questions on flights and visa travel post-Brexit.
If a deal is agreed the UK will be in a transition period and flights will operate as normal until December 2020. Even in a no-deal, the European Commission has said UK airlines will be able to fly between the UK and the EU.
Similarly, even in a no-deal scenario, UK travellers will still be able to visit the EU without a visa, provided the same is offered to European citizens visiting the UK.
Abta has also advised in its guidance that holidaymakers who book to travel after March 29 and then find their holiday cannot go ahead due to Brexit will get a full refund if it is a package holiday with a UK travel company.
More information can be found on Abta’s website
As seen in Travel Weekly, by Juliet Dennis
