Brexit Explained: What You Need To Know About Travel Post-Brexit

All data correct as of 11/02/2020

As of January 31st this year, the UK officially left the EU. This signifies a period of change for many elements of life in the UK, but one of the biggest questions is around travel. Until now, UK citizens have enjoyed a freedom of movement around the EU that enables travel without a visa. As a result, we make more than 58 million trips to the continent every year.

So, if you’re a UK citizen, how will your travel plans be affected by our exit from the EU?

The most important thing to know is that nothing is changing immediately. Although we’ve left the EU, we’re now in a transition period that lasts 11 months. Until January 1st 2020, nothing is going to change whilst our representatives discuss the deal that we’ll be getting. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know.

It’s unlikely that there will be any need for a Visa
Although the discussions are still taking place, there’s not yet been any indication that UK citizens are going to need a Visa. At the moment, it’s expected to allow UK citizens up to a 90 day stay in an 180 day period without a Visa.

Your driving licence won’t be affected
Your UK driving licence is valid in EU countries at the moment, and that’s not going to change. You shouldn’t need to have an International Driving Permit or alter the way you insure yourself for driving moving forward.

Don’t forget travel insurance
Our recommendation regarding travel insurance is safety first. You should always insure your travel plans in case of cancellation, and it’s a good idea to ask the question regarding what would happen in the event of a change in circumstances following Brexit.

Your passport
Until our transition period expires on 1st January 2021, you’re able to travel to Europe with your UK passport. After this, you’ll need to make sure that you have a minimum of six months remaining on your passport. As we currently stand the new blue passports will be issued from early 2020, but as long as your passport is less than ten years old and has six months of validity left, you’re permitted to travel with it. Please note, however, that if your passport was renewed before it expired and had extra months added to its expiry date, any extra months on the passport that are over ten years may not count towards the six months required.

Your EHIC card won’t be valid anymore
Healthcare is a vitally important thing to remember when travelling anywhere, as it can lead to some high costs and unnecessary stress if you’re not insured. Your EHIC is only valid until our official exit next year, therefore you should make sure that your travel insurance also covers you for any medical needs you could have after this.

Currently, there are a lot of unknowns about the post-brexit travel regulations. There’s a potential that there will be more requirements of us moving forward, to show our return journeys, prove that there are enough funds for our stays and use different passport lanes than we might be used to. Nevertheless, the likelihood is that we will still be a nation of holidaymakers, and that our deal will still make sure that we’re welcome tourists all over Europe.

DJB Visas are a passport and Visa service that’s helped thousands of people reach their destinations. We’ve been in business for more than 25 years, always at the forefront of understanding as the needs of embassies and travellers have changed. We’re here to help, so contact a member of our team to discuss your requirements today.