How will Brexit affect my holiday? – Times Travel – The Times

A little under four years after the referendum, the UK finally left the EU at 11pm on January 31, 2020 and entered a transition period, during which the final details of Brexit were negotiated. The transition period ended on December 31, 2020, and the UK officially left the EU single market and customs union at 11pm that day.

From that point the UK became whats known as a Third Country, one thats defined by the EU as a country that is not a member of the European Union as well as a country or territory whose citizens do not enjoy the European Union right to free movement.

There have been wide-ranging implications for travellers as a result of these changes, including updates on passport validity, increased roaming charges and of course how long you can stay in an EU country without a visa.

Heres what you need to know.

Main photo: passport control at Athens airport (Getty Images)

For tourists there are minimal travel restrictions at the moment, although you may have to provide evidence of a return or onward ticket, and that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay.

The one key change is that if you visit most EU countries, or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein on holiday, you can only stay for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. This is a cumulative number so if you spend 90 days in France, you may need a visa if you want to enter another EU country, or wait until a new 180-day period starts.

Each country has its own rules on this, so you should double check with the Foreign Office. Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania have their own 90-day limits, which means you can visit these four countries without adding to your total stay across EU countries. Travel to Ireland is exempted.

From the end of 2022, however, there are plans to introduce the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) for British travellers. It will work in a similar way to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (Esta) that is used to enter the United States and is expected to cost 7 (6). There are no concrete launch dates yet, or details on how to apply.

Since becoming a Third Country, the rules for passport validity have also changed, which means you can no longer use your passport until the last day its valid unless youre travelling to Ireland. The government now advises renewing your passport if it is more than 10 years old (even if its valid on paper for longer), or if less than three months remain on your passport.

For passports that are more than 10 years old, it is crucial to check. Traditionally, in the UK, up to six months of validity on your current passport is added to your new passport when you renew but the EU doesnt recognise this extra validity for Third Countries, so youll need to renew your travel documents before they expire.

When the UK left the EU, the guarantee of free mobile phone roaming in the EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway ended. Before Brexit, all major mobile phone network providers promised to keep free roaming in place, but many have since updated their policies by either introducing new charges or reducing usage allowance.

You should check with your provider on exactly what applies to you as different mobile networks have different policies for different tariffs. The government has introduced a law to cap mobile data charges to 45, though, so if you accidentally switch on roaming, you wont be charged more than this unless you opt in.

If you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK then you dont need an international driving licence (IDP) to drive to countries in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. However, you may need one if you have an older paper driving licence, or if your licence is issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

If you do need an IDP, there are actually three different versions 1926, 1949, or 1968. Which one you need will depend on the country youre travelling to the government provides a list of these. Alternatively, you can check with the embassy of the country youre visiting, or the car hire company youre using.

If youre travelling through multiple countries, you may need to have more than one. And if youre taking your own car, make sure you have valid insurance and your car has a UK sticker on the rear. Different versions are accepted, but you should check the details for the country or countries youre travelling to as the rules may be different.

State healthcare is still available for UK citizens in Europe, but the system has changed (Getty Images)

British citizens can get free healthcare cover for travelling to Europe. It doesnt replace travel insurance, but it does entitle the holder to state healthcare thats either free or discounted. This system was known as the European Health Insurance Card (Ehic).

Since Brexit, two free alternatives have been introduced. Which one youre issued will depend on your eligibility, and their validities are slightly different. Both of these will cover emergency treatment, visits to A&E and routine maternity care, unless youre going abroad to give birth.

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic) is the one thats issued to most people and it works in the EU and Switzerland, but not in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The government says more countries may be added to this list in future.

In Norway, you can use your UK passport to gain medically necessary healthcare but for Iceland and Liechtenstein, youll need to make sure you have suitable travel insurance, especially for pre-existing conditions.

The second alternative is the UK Ehic, which can be used in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Youre only eligible for this if, before Brexit transition ended, you were a citizen of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein living in the UK; a British state pensioner, or family of one, living in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland; or a UK student living and studying in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.

You can check your eligibility and apply for both documents for free via the NHS website.

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How will Brexit affect my holiday? - Times Travel - The Times