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Click here to read about new Schengen entry requirements.
You must check to see if your passport is still valid. If you have a British passport, you will need to have at least six months left on your passport from the date you depart for the country you are going to for your trip and your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years. Please note that if you renewed your current passport before its expiry date, you may have been granted extra months on top of the usual 10-year validity. These additional months may not count towards the 6-month validity requirement for travel.
The above rules do not apply for travel to Ireland, where you can continue to use your passport as long as it is valid for the length of your stay.
If you are travelling as a tourist on a British Passport, you will not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. You will be able to stay without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Different rules will apply to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania. If you visit these countries, visits to other EU countries will not count towards the 90-day total.
You may need a visa or permit to stay for longer, to work or study, or for business travel.
Now that the UK has left the European Union, you may experience delays at border controls in countries outside the EU. You may be required to show a return or onward ticket, show you have enough money for your stay or use separate lanes from EU/EEA and Swiss citizens when queuing to pass through immigration.
FCDO Travel Advice
It is important that you are aware of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Travel Advice for the destination you are visiting. We recommend that you sign up to receive notifications, which will result in you receiving an email, should there be any advisory change, for your chosen destination. Please familiarise yourself with the latest advice for travellers, or alternatively, please contact your Travel Specialist and they will check the current advice for you and guide you accordingly.
We recommend you follow this link:
1. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
2. Select the country/countries you are travelling to
3. Click on “Get email alerts” and follow the instructions
Foreign travel advice - GOV.UK
Get advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences.
We do not give out specific recommendations on vaccine requirements and health-related issues. Health risks and vaccine requirements can change at any time, so it is important that you seek the latest medical advice. You must ensure you are aware of and comply with any health requirements, recommendations, and precautions such as vaccinations for every country you are visiting. For the latest information please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/ and search for the country which you are travelling to.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have comprehensive travel insurance with sufficient healthcare cover, including cover for existing medical conditions and any activities you plan to do. ABTA offers advice on finding the right travel insurance: https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/planning-and-booking-a-holiday/travel-insurance
If you are an EU citizen or resident, a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows you to receive state-provided healthcare in any of the other EU countries as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
An EHIC holds you to the same standards as citizens of an EU country in terms of state-provided health insurance. Sometimes, this means you receive free healthcare. After Brexit, the U.K. introduced its own version of the EHIC card, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This card functions similarly to its predecessor, allowing Brits access to state healthcare during visits to the EU.
You can find out more about the EHIC on the Schengen Visa website.
Once your EHIC has expired, you can apply to replace it with the new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) that can continue to be used from 1 January 2021 in EU countries.
GHIC or EHIC cards entitle you to state provided medical treatment that may become necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as EU nationals. A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance and you should have both before you travel. It does not cover all health-related costs, for example, medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment, and non-urgent treatment.
You will not be able to take meat, milk or any products containing them into EU countries from 01 January 2021.There are some exceptions, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website: https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/animalproducts/personal_imports_en
If you plan to drive in Europe, you may need an International Driving Permit to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have a paper driving licence or a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man. You may need more than one depending on where you are visiting. Each permit costs £5.50 and is available from certain branches of the Post Office.
Find out more about getting an International Driving Permit: https://www.postoffice.co.uk/identity/international-driving-permit
If you are driving your own car in Europe, you may need to obtain and carry a physical Green Card for your UK car insurance to be valid in the EU. These cards will be available from your car insurance provider, but you may be charged a small fee to cover administration costs.
You may need a GB sticker for your own car when driving in the EU from 01 January 2021 onwards.
Following the UK’s departure as a member of the EU, changes have been made to the allowances you can bring into the country without paying tax or duty. Further details: https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/arriving-in-Great-Britain
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