EditorsA lot has happened in the last 12 months that has restricted travel to and from the UK. We have had a global pandemic which has meant that people are restricted from travelling, but we also forget we have to think about what Brexit means for our plans to visit Europe. This is sometimes forgotten about due to the Covid-19 issues taking the priority.
When the UK decided to leave the EU there was a lot of debate about how this would affect the country in terms of the economy but also travel. Depending on where and in what capacity someone is travelling will affect whether they can go, and the length of time they can spend in the country.
Holidays
People are worried that there will be massive restrictions in terms of travelling for holidays. This is not the case. The British are allowed to travel to EU member states as per normal if they have the appropriate passport and do not overstay their welcome in terms of days. This may differ depending on the country but typically you can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
The UK will be soon issuing people with a different type of passport which will signify that they are not members of the EU, therefore, they will effectively stand in a different line at the arriving airport to show this. You will now also need to have at least 6 months left on your passport.
If you’re driving in an EU country, you may also need an international driving permit (IDP), so check the government website of the country you are visiting before you travel.
Insurance
It is important that when travelling abroad the same care and attention is given to the level of insurance you have. Especially with not being an EU citizen, there may be restrictions around this (again depending on the laws passed by EU member states). Companies like Staysure will offer medical travel insurance to people to ensure that if they fall ill in a country then they will receive the right level of medical attention as per the insurance policy. Do not rush into taking out a policy as the level of protection you need may differ with every policy. This will mean that the cheapest policy may not be the best.
Airline Protection
As the UK has left the EU, rules around airline protection will differ. The EU has many good laws to protect the travelling public to get refunds and compensation for EU flights that were cancelled or delayed. This was EU law which meant that the companies must adhere to it and comply to the compensation claims. If they did not, then they could find themselves in court and given a massive, hefty penalty.
How the UK will run this moving forward is unknown at this stage. The UK will most likely look to move this similar regulation over to the UK parliament to consider passing as a law. There will be complications around this though, where if a UK destined flight from an EU country is delayed, is compensation allowed? As a result, this actually may require the UK to work with the EU to try and see if a collaborative arrangement could be met (however the UK will not be able to influence any EU laws as they have left the “club”).
Summary
Not a lot has actually changed in terms of travel to the EU from UK since Brexit. Going on holidays will not really change at all as long as your passport requirements are met and that you don’t overstay in the EU. Make sure to check rules and regs on the country’s website before you travel as rules may evolve and if you are travelling for other purposes, eg business or a musician on tour, etc.
Also read:
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Hike to the Apollo Epicurius Temple: See the God of Healing in Greece
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