Traveling To The Uk: A Post-Brexit Guide

The UK's departure from the European Union has altered the travel landscape, with new rules and requirements for those planning a trip to the UK or Europe. While travel is still very much possible, there are some key differences that travellers need to be aware of, such as passport validity, visa requirements, health insurance, roaming charges, and pet travel. With the UK no longer part of the EU, travellers need to be vigilant about the latest guidance to ensure a smooth journey and stay. This includes understanding the specific requirements of the country they are visiting, as well as broader changes like the need for a UK car sticker when driving in the EU and the impact of currency fluctuations.

Passport rules

If you are travelling to the UK from the EU, you will need to ensure your passport meets the following requirements:

• Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the UK (check the 'date of issue')
• Valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave (check the 'date of expiry')
• Valid during your stay

If you are travelling to the UK from outside the EU, you will need to go through the 'rest of the world' queue at the airport, unless 'UK' is specified. You will also need to ensure your passport is stamped by a border officer on entry and exit. Your passport must be:

• Valid for the duration of your stay
• Valid for at least six months after the day you plan to leave (check the 'date of expiry')

If you are travelling to the Republic of Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man, different rules may apply as they are part of the Common Travel Area (CTA). This is an agreement that allows citizens to travel freely between the UK and Ireland, and it pre-dates EU membership.

Visa requirements

If you are a British citizen travelling to the EU, you do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. This includes travel to the Republic of Ireland, which is part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement that allows for free movement between Ireland and the UK. However, if you plan to stay in the EU for longer than 90 days in a 180-day period, you will need to check the visa requirements for the specific country you are visiting.

For non-EU citizens travelling to the UK, there is no change to visa requirements as a result of Brexit. However, it is always important to ensure that your passport is valid for travel and meets the requirements of the country you are visiting.

From late 2024, the new Entry/Exit System (EES) will be introduced, automating passport control for faster processing of travellers. In 2025, the EU plans to introduce the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), a visa waiver system similar to the US ESTA programme. This will allow British passport holders to apply and pay for a waiver that will be valid for three years.

It is important to note that the requirements for driving in the EU have also changed post-Brexit. If you are planning to drive, you will need a UK car sticker for your vehicle and may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) if your licence was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.

Driving in the EU

If you're planning on driving in the EU, there are a few things you need to know and prepare before your trip. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

Check your driving licence:

Make sure you have a valid driving licence from Great Britain or Northern Ireland. If your licence has been lost, stolen, or is expired, you'll need to renew it or get a new one before you can drive abroad. You can renew your licence online or by post, but keep in mind that applying online is usually faster.

International Driving Permit (IDP):

Check if you need an IDP to drive in the EU. You can purchase an IDP from certain shops that have PayPoint for £5.50. You might need an IDP if you have a paper driving licence or a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man. However, if you're driving in Ireland, you won't need an IDP with a UK driving licence.

Vehicle registration documents:

If you're taking your vehicle to the EU for less than 12 months, you'll need to carry either your vehicle log book (V5C) or a VE103 certificate, which shows you're allowed to use a hired or leased vehicle abroad. If you're taking a hired or leased vehicle, you may also need a Vehicle on Hire Certificate.

UK stickers and number plates:

Display the UK identifier ("UK") on your vehicle when driving in the EU. If your number plate includes the UK identifier with the Union flag, you don't need a separate sticker. However, if your number plate has a GB identifier with the Union flag, a national flag of England, Scotland, or Wales, or only numbers and letters, you must display a UK sticker clearly on the rear of your vehicle. This is especially important if you're driving in Spain, Cyprus, or Malta.

Insurance for your vehicle:

Check if your vehicle insurance covers you for the countries you'll be driving in, and what type of insurance is required. All UK vehicle insurance provides the minimum third-party cover to drive in the EU (including Ireland). You may also need to obtain a Green Card, which is an international certificate of insurance. Contact your insurance provider to obtain a Green Card for your car, trailer, or caravan, and be aware that there may be an administrative cost involved.

Towing a trailer or caravan:

If you're planning on towing a trailer or caravan, there are a few additional things to consider. Check if you need to add category BE to your driving licence, register your trailer, and obtain a Green Card or additional insurance.

Overseas driving rules:

Make sure you're familiar with the driving rules in the countries you'll be visiting, including speed limits, drink-driving laws, and any extra equipment you may need, such as a reflective jacket and a warning triangle. You may also need emission stickers (permits) in some European cities, which you should purchase before your trip.

By following these steps, you can ensure that you have the necessary documentation and are aware of the driving regulations in the EU. This will help make your driving experience in the EU safe and enjoyable.

Travel insurance

Taking out travel insurance is highly recommended when travelling to the UK. It is important to ensure that your insurance covers the full length of your trip, as many policies have a maximum trip length and/or an annual limit on how much time in total you can spend outside your home country.

Your travel insurance should also cover:

• Treatment in state or private hospitals (emergency treatment and hospital bills can be very expensive).
• Emergency transport, such as an ambulance (this is often charged separately to other medical expenses).
• Pre-existing medical conditions (declare existing conditions or pending treatment or tests so that you are covered if there are related complications during your trip; failing to declare something may invalidate your travel insurance).
• All activities you may undertake on holiday, such as sports or adventure tourism (you may need specialist insurance or an add-on for some activities).
• Repatriation costs if you or a family member die abroad.
• Getting home after medical treatment if you cannot use your original ticket.
• Reasonable costs for a family member or friend to stay with you, or travel out to accompany you home if required.
• 24-hour assistance helplines to offer support and advice about appropriate treatment.
• Cover if an airline or travel agent goes out of business (typically, this is not covered).

If you are going on a cruise, additional cover is usually required because it is more difficult to get to hospital for treatment.

If you have a serious medical condition, you may need a specialist insurance provider or policy. The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has a Travel Medical Directory that lists specialist providers who cover serious medical conditions.

A Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows you to access state-provided medically necessary healthcare within the EU, Switzerland, and some other countries on the same terms as residents of these countries. However, these are not alternatives to travel insurance as they do not cover any private medical healthcare costs, repatriation, or additional costs such as mountain rescue in ski resorts.

Mobile roaming charges

Since the UK left the European Union, surcharge-free roaming is no longer guaranteed for UK mobile users in 47 destinations in the EU, plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. This means that, as of 1 January 2021, telecom operators can decide whether to introduce roaming charges and how much to charge for these.

Before travelling, it is important to check the roaming policies of your mobile operator. While some providers offer additional data roaming as part of their contract deals, others have deals with international operators or are part of groups that operate across the EU. For example, Three's Go Roam service lets you use your call, text, and data allowance in 71 destinations worldwide at no extra cost. On the other hand, EE has now broken ranks and announced that it will be introducing EU roaming charges for some customers from 2022.

If you are a frequent traveller to Europe, you may want to review your options and see if the plan you are on still suits you. Your provider should send you a message with basic pricing information upon entry to another country.

There are also some new protections in place for UK mobile phone users going abroad. The UK Government has made it law that customers must be told when they have used up 80% and 100% of their data allowance. The Government has also introduced a ruling that stops you from being hit with more than £45 of mobile data charges, unless you actively opt to continue using data when abroad.

If you are an EU national travelling to the UK, check with your network provider before travelling to find out how much you will pay for calls, texts, and mobile data.

Frequently asked questions