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Everything you need to know about travel to Europe after Brexit

Do you need a visa to travel to the EU after Brexit? Here’s how the rules are looking in 2024

Way back in 2020, the UK left the EU and Brexit took effect. Since then, a hell of a lot has changed about how we travel. There’s now plenty of extra stuff to think about when planning a trip overseas to Europe (especially if it’s for longer periods). So, we ’ve rounded up all the changes to the rules that we’ll have to follow, now that we’re no longer EU citizens. Here is everything you need to know.

RECOMMENDED: 🌤️The best city breaks in Europe for 2024 🏩The best hotels in Europe 🚄The best European sleeper trains launching in 2024 🏂The best affordable ski resorts in Europe

You should probably check your passport

Up until January 2021, all UK citizens with a valid passport were able to travel freely throughout Europe. Now, though, you may need to renew your passport much earlier than you might think. On the day you travel, your passport must have at least six months left before it expires, or you might not be able to travel to any EU countries, or the EEA states of Iceland , Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland . (The old rules still apply for travel to Ireland.)

You can check if you need to renew your passport before travelling using this tool from the British government, and you can apply for a new one here . Make sure you renew it at least a couple of months before you’re planning to travel, as it may take several weeks to process applications in busy times (including right now).

You can no longer apply for an EHIC

Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will remain valid until its expiry date, but you can no longer apply for a new one. In 2021, the UK government launched a replacement scheme, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) , which will entitle you to necessary state healthcare for free or at reduced cost in Europe and other countries with reciprocal arrangements such as Australia and New Zealand . You can apply for one on the official GHIC website .

Free mobile roaming is a thing of the past

The guarantee of free mobile roaming throughout the EU, the Schengen area and the Norway, Iceland and Liechenstein, came to an end on December 31, 2020. It ’s best to c heck with your phone operator to find out about any charges you may incur in the country you’re travelling to.

Border checks may feel a little different

At border control, you will now need to use separate lanes from EU citizens when queuing. Officials may also be more inquisitive than before, asking you to provide a return or onward ticket and prove that you have enough money for the length of your initial stay.

Your driving licence will still be valid – but you’ll need a ‘green card’ proving you have insurance too

Despite reports British drivers would soon have to apply for an ‘international driving permit’ before travelling to the Continent, according to the terms of the Brexit deal, UK licences will still be valid within the EU.

According to this advice by the Foreign Office , you do not need a ‘green card’ (proving you have car insurance cover when driving abroad) when driving in the EU. However, countries where they do apply include Albania, Azerbijan, Moldova, Türkiye and Ukraine. 

Travelling in the EU

Your rights & eu rules.

As an EU national, you enjoy the right of free movement. This means you’re entitled to travel, work and live in another EU country. If you’re a citizen of a Schengen country  – which is most EU countries – you’re also free to travel to other Schengen countries without the need for border checks.

As an EU national, you can also benefit from EU-wide passenger rights for travel into, out of or within the EU by air, rail, bus/coach or ship. You can travel with pets and other animals in the EU provided you comply with the rules (pet passports). There are EU limits on taking alcohol, tobacco or cash with you to another EU country. Each EU country can set its own limits or restrictions, so check before you go.

Travelling to or within the EU? Follow the links below to check which documents you need to take.

Documents you need to travel in the EU

Information on travel documents needed by EU nationals, non-EU national family members, non-EU nationals and children when entering the EU or travelling across it. Find out what to do if you lose your passport or it expires when travelling in the EU.

Public Register of Authentic travel and identity Documents Online (PRADO)

View authorised travel and identity documents issued by EU countries and Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

Schengen – ID-free travel zone

What is it.

The Schengen area is a travel zone without borders between the 29 Schengen countries. It allows EU nationals and many non-EU nationals to travel freely without border checks. Since 1985, it’s kept growing, and now covers almost all EU countries and a few non-EU countries (Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland). It guarantees free movement to more than 400 million EU nationals.

Any person, irrespective of nationality, can travel between Schengen countries without going through border checks. However, national authorities can carry out police checks at borders between these countries and in border areas.

Having abolished their internal borders, Schengen countries have also tightened controls at their common external borders on the basis of Schengen rules to ensure the security of those living or travelling in the Schengen area.

See all the Schengen countries

Common visa policy

The common visa policy enables non-EU visitors to make transit or short stays to the Schengen area. A short-stay visa issued by one of the Schengen countries generally entitles them to travel through all Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

In practice, this means that if you’re cleared to enter one Schengen country, you can travel to any of the other Schengen countries without having to show your travel document again.

Follow the links below for more information about your rights when travelling in the EU.

What can you take with you?

Information on what you can take with you when travelling in the EU, including pets, food, alcohol, tobacco and cash. Find out the luggage restrictions when flying from an airport in the EU and which EU countries use the euro.

Air passenger rights

Information on where and when EU air passenger rights apply and how to make a complaint. Find out who to contact if you need help or advice with your claim.

Assistance for travellers with disabilities or reduced mobility

Information on your rights if you’re travelling in the EU with a disability or reduced mobility. See if you’re entitled to an EU disabled parking permit.

Further information

Using the euro

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How are Brexit travel restrictions easing – outbound and inbound?

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After the vote to leave the EU, the decades-long ease with which the British have holidayed , worked and lived in other member states has ended.

The UK negotiated for British travellers to the Schengen Area (covering much of Europe ) to be limited to a stay of 90 days in any 180 days . So UK passport holders with second homes in the European Union cannot spend more than three months of the winter living there, unless they have a hard-to-obtain long-stay visa.

Conversely, the UK has made it much tougher for many European visitors to come to Britain – insisting they have passports rather than national ID cards. That decision has devastated inbound tourism in some areas of the UK.

Yet both these policies, chosen by the British government, are beginning to unwind.

These are the key questions and answers on how travel rules are easing between the UK and Europe.

What was the situation while the UK was in the EU?

Right up until the end of 2020, which included the Brexit transition period, British travellers could stay as long as they wished in the European Union, up to and including their passport expiry date (UK citizens who happen also to have a passport from Ireland or another EU nation still enjoy this freedom).

But when negotiating the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, the government arranged for the UK to be treated as a “third country”. This means British travellers are subject to exactly the same restrictions as passport holders from many other states, such as Venezuela, Tonga and East Timor. Yet unlike those countries, the UK has extremely close ties with the European Union.

Were we expecting to join that particular club?

No. Immediately after the 2016 referendum, Boris Johnson assured UK travellers nothing would change after Brexit. He said: “British people will still be able to go and work in the EU; to live; to study; to buy homes and settle down.” That turned out not to be true.

At around the same time, his colleague, David Davis, the first Brexit secretary, promised: “There will be no downside to Brexit, only a considerable upside.”

What are the current rules for British travellers to the EU?

While the UK was in the EU, the fact that many British passports were issued for over 10 years was irrelevant. But the issue date is now significant. A UK passport must now comply with two rules for travel to the European Union and wider Schengen Area :

• Day of arrival in the EU: less than 10 years since issue.
• Day of intended departure from the EU: at least three months remaining to expiry.

These two rules are independent of each other, so ignore any nonsense you may have read insisting “UK passports run out after nine years and nine months”.

Third-country nationals may also be asked to justify their travel plans, including financial means, accommodation arrangements and a ticket out of the Schengen Area before they exceeed the stay limit.

Just remind me about the Schengen Area?

This is the “passport-free” zone for travel between most European nations. It is named after the village of Schengen in Luxembourg, which is on the border of France and Germany – a symbolic location, where the former frontier infrastructure is now out of use.

The Schengen Area includes almost all the EU countries except Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania – plus Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City.

How long can I stay in the Schengen Area?

“British citizens do not require a visa if spending up to 90 days over a 180-day period in the Schengen Area,” says the French government.

The simplest way to look at this: if you enter the Schengen Area on 1 January 2024, having not been in the zone for the previous 90 days, you would be able to stay there until the end of March. You would then need to remain outside of Schengen for another 90 days, until late June.

Of course most people will have more complex travel plans than this. The question to ask on the day you plan to travel to the Schengen Area is: going back 180 days (almost six months), on how many days have you been in the the zone?

If the answer is less than 90 days in the past 180 days, you are entitled to enter the Schengen Area. But how long you can stay depends on a “rolling count” – on each day, you must look back 180 days and work out how many days you have been in the zone.

What happens if I overstay?

Third-country travellers are generally given three days’ grace on breaking the 90-day limit. Any longer than that and they are likely to be handed an entry ban for one year. This applies throughout the Schengen Area – not just the country in which you overstayed.

I want to stay longer. Can I?

Many British people with second homes in France or a tradition of spending winter in Spain are in this position: they do not want nor need residence, but simply want to stay longer than three months.

Each country has its own version of a long-stay visitor visa. For France, the answer is a visa de long séjour (VLS-T). The six-month version entitles the holder to make multiple trips to France. To get one, you will need to provide evidence of income and/or financial resources. You must attend an interview in London, Manchester or Edinburgh, have fingerprints taken and pay €99 (£87) for the visa along with a processing fee of about £30.

Spain has a similar “long duration” visa, for which you have to submit:

• a medical certificate showing you pose no threat to the Spanish people
• an official document confirming you have not been in trouble in the past five years
• evidence of at least £2,000 per month to support your intended stay.

You must attend an interview at a Spanish consulate general in London or Edinburgh.

A long-stay permit for a specific EU country does not mean that you are entitled to spend more than 90 days in 180 in other Schengen Area nations. But any time spent in the country for which you have a visa does not count towards the 90-day tally.

What is changing?

Some local politicians in France have been campaigning for their government to make it easier for British property owners to stay longer than 90 days.

UK citizens with second homes in France can make a useful social and economic contribution to communities, especially in rural area. Kicking them out after less than three months – in accordance with the rules the British government asked for – stops them spending money in the locality and supporting businesses and cultural events.

On 19 December 2023, the Senate and National Assembly in Paris voted in principle to grant long-stay visas to British property owners more or less automatically.

The exact amendment notes that life has got much more difficult for British property owners since Brexit: “If these difficulties find their roots in the sovereign decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, the fact remains that many of their nationals actively participate in the dynamism of the local economy in our territories.

“Thus, in view of the unique links which unite our two countries and the importance of this public for the French economy, this appeal amendment wishes, by way of derogation, to ease the conditions of entry into French territory for British citizens who own second homes in France.”

If it is rubber-stamped, it would allow British property owners to spend as much of the year as they wish in France. Any time spent in France will not count towards the 90-day limit in the rest of the Schengen Area.

Stephen Jolly, of the pressure group France Visa Free, said: “France is helping us solve the 90-in-180-day problem for some British visitors.

“Eventually we want to see a truly reciprocal mobility arrangement between the UK and each EU country. But for the time being this change in French law is huge. It shows that the French are willing to address the adverse effects of Brexit.”

Surely this must apply throughout the EU – not just France?

No. While the common Schengen Area rules are decided in Brussels and cannot be modified by individual states, each EU nation is sovereign and is free to offer long-stay visas for its own territory to anyone it wishes.

What is different for Ireland?

Freedom of movement for UK citizens and unlimited length of stay in Ireland is guaranteed under the provisions of the Common Travel Agreement . Any time spent by British travellers in the Republic does not count towards the time limitations for the rest of Europe.

People who live in Northern Ireland are exempt from the 90/180 rule if they have a passport from the Irish Republic, which is easily obtained by most people in Northern Ireland. They have an automatic right to travel anywhere in the Schengen Area and other EU countries, even though Ireland is outside the Schengen Area.

The government in Dublin says: “Irish citizens continue to have EU citizenship wherever they live. They continue to enjoy the right to travel and live and work anywhere in the EU.”

Do the EU countries outside Schengen have different rules?

Each of Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania has its own individual 90/180 day limits. A British traveller could therefore effectively keep “flipping” between Schengen and those other countries – though frontier officials may demand to see evidence of financial means.

What about travel to the UK for Europeans?

One of the flagship Brexit policies on immigration was to end the right for Europeans to travel to the UK using national identity cards . In October 2021, the then-home secretary Priti Patel banned what she called “the use of insecure ID cards for people to enter our country”. She said it was imperative to “clamp down on the criminals that seek to enter our country illegally using forged documents”.

The consequences of banning IDs?

The ban disenfranchised more than 200 million European Union citizens who have ID cards but not passports from visiting the UK. It almost wiped out the previously healthy inbound tourism from groups of EU schoolchildren. Many diverted to the remaining European Union nations where English is the main language: Ireland and Malta.

The UK Institute of Tourist Guiding reported a 99 per cent drop in school group bookings from Europe for summer 2022 compared with pre-Brexit, pre-Covid 2019. And Patricia Yates, chief executive of VisitBritain, told MPs: “You will find destinations like Hastings absolutely decimated by a lack of school visits.”

What has changed now?

In December 2023, the current home secretary, James Cleverly, announced a U-turn . He said: “We are making changes to allow children aged 18 and under, studying at a school in France, to visit the UK on an organised educational trip without the usual passport or visit visa requirements.

“EU, other EEA and Swiss national children will be able to travel on their national identity card.”

Lord Ricketts, chair of the European Affairs Committee said: “We now urge the government to get this extended to children studying in all EU states for the benefit of both sides.”

How does the UK benefit from allowing in tourists with ID cards?

European citizens can use their national identity cards to visit any EU/Schengen Area country, as well as a number beyond those borders. With such extensive freedom to travel with a document that they have to own anyway, many Europeans do not bother with the red tape and expense of procuring a passport.

While some prospective travellers may obtain a passport specifically to visit the UK, many will not.

The United Kingdom has therefore restricted access to the closest thing any country can get to free money: inbound tourism. Overseas visitors bring highly desirable social and economic benefits. They boost local amenities, create jobs and improve international understanding.

What does the UK government say now?

“This is a hugely exciting time for our country, one filled with potential and opportunity.

“This is a government that possesses the ambition and determination the UK needs to succeed now and for many years to come.”

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EU plans post-Brexit free movement deal for young Britons

T he European Commission has proposed restoring much of the pre- Brexit freedom that allows British travellers aged 18 to 30 the opportunity to travel, work or study for up to four years in the EU.

One of the most-mourned European freedoms that the UK chose to remove with Brexit was the opportunity for young Brits to travel, study and work in any EU country without restriction .

Boris Johnson’s government successfully negotiated for UK citizens to become “third-country nationals”, on a par with Venezuelans. As a result of the Brexit deal, British passport holders can stay a maximum of 90 days in the European Union and wider Schengen area – and must then leave for at least a further 90 days.

Post-Brexit work or study in continental Europe is possible only after fulfilling complex visa requirements.

“Beneficiaries should be able to undertake different activities during that period, such as studying, training, working or travelling,” says the commission in a briefing document .

The European Commission adds: “The UK has shown interest in the issue by reaching out to a number of member states on youth mobility.”

Under the proposals, young EU citizens would have a reciprocal opportunity to spend time in the UK .

Maros Sefcovic, executive vice-president responsible for inter-institutional relations, said: “The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union has hit young people in the EU and the UK who would like to study, work and live abroad particularly hard.

“Today, we take the first step towards an ambitious but realistic agreement between the EU and the UK that would fix this issue. Our aim is to rebuild human bridges between young Europeans on both sides of the Channel.”

The proposed requirements look simple, comprising “a valid travel document, valid comprehensive sickness insurance, proof of sufficient means of subsistence”. But applications could be rejected if the individual is believed to pose a threat to “public policy, public security or public health”.

Young people would pay for a visa or residence permit; the European Commission says this “should not be disproportionate or excessive”.

Technically, the commission is merely recommending the move to the European Council, comprising the leaders of EU member states. But it is likely to be rubber-stamped.

The question is: how will Rishi Sunak’s government respond to the offer? Ministers have already backtracked on some of the hardline rules introduced with Brexit , such as a complete ban on EU children on school trips using identity cards.

Any such deal would be welcomed by the UK hospitality industry, which has struggled with recruitment since Brexit.

But with immigration high on the Conservatives’ election agenda, the government may not wish to confer freedom on young Europeans.

The Independent has asked the Home Office for a response.

Abta, the travel association, welcomed the move from Brussels. Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs for the association, said: “We strongly welcome today’s announcement and urge the UK government to be ready to begin negotiations.

“Post-Brexit restrictions on UK-EU labour mobility have undoubtedly been detrimental to the UK travel and tourism industry, whether outbound, inbound or domestic.

“The impacts are being most keenly felt by young people, who are now less able to access the roles that have previously proven a springboard for successful careers, as well as providing enriching and rewarding experiences.

“Abta has long argued that youth mobility should be a priority for both sides as we seek to rebuild relations post-Brexit, and we hope that negotiations can now begin quickly.”

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New Brexit travel hope for under 30s as EU plan to relax visa rules in the works

The european commission has proposed talks with the uk on a deal whereby british citizens could study, work and live freely in the eu.

BRUSSELS – British under-30s could soon find it easier to study, work and live in European Union countries, and vice versa, under plans unveiled by the European Commission on Thursday that aim to restore some freedoms lost under Brexit .

The Commission on Thursday proposed opening talks with the UK on “an agreement to facilitate youth mobility” that would mean British citizens could study, work and live freely in the EU, and European young people could do the same in the UK.

The offer is likely to appeal to any future Labour government, with Sir Keir Starmer , the Opposition Leader, having indicated that he would seek stronger ties with Europe if elected.

The British Government approached several EU member states last year with plans to negotiate a scheme, modelled upon the UK’s youth mobility visa scheme. However, they were rebuffed as this would have resulted in differential treatment of EU nationals, and would not have addressed concerns about tuition fees .

No 10 distanced itself from suggestions it would support a Commission-wide agreement on youth freedom with the EU. A Downing Street spokeswoman indicated the UK Government was in favour of reaching individual agreements with countries.

“The UK does have at a bilateral level a number of such schemes in place and we do that where it’s in the best interest of the UK,” she said. “And we do it as long as it meets our requirement to balance bringing in skills to the UK and exchanging those skills, but at the same time making sure that it’s in line with our objectives to also be promoting and fostering UK talents and skills.”

She added that the UK wanted to “reduce legal migration” as well as “support UK talent and skills”.

Why Starmer may regret not being even bolder on the EU

“And that’s why we have a system in place whereby we have a number of agreements with individual EU member states where that works in our interests and we have that rather than a Commission-wide agreement,” she said.

A Labour spokesperson said: “This is a proposal from the EU Commission to EU member states, not to the UK. It has come about because the UK Government is reportedly approaching other European countries to try to establish mobility arrangements.

“Labour has no plans for a youth mobility scheme. We have already suggested some tangible ways that we would look to improve the relationship and deliver for British businesses and consumers, including seeking a veterinary agreement to tackle trade barriers, mutual recognition of professional qualifications and improved touring opportunities for artists.”

The move comes four years after the UK left the EU, with Britain also exiting the popular Erasmus student exchange scheme , despite assurances from Brussels that Britain could remain part of it.

“The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union has hit young people in the EU and the UK who would like to study, work and live abroad particularly hard,” said Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič. “Today, we take the first step towards an ambitious but realistic agreement between the EU and the UK that would fix this issue. Our aim is to rebuild human bridges between young Europeans on both sides of the Channel.”

The Commission says it wants to “create a right for young people to travel from the EU to the UK and vice versa more easily and for a longer period of time”. The planned agreement would set out conditions, including the age and maximum duration of stay (the Commission says it should be between 18 to 30 years, with up to four years of stay) as well as conditions of eligibility and rules for verifying compliance.

The proposal adds that UK citizens would only be granted mobility within the member state where they have been admitted and not the other 26 EU countries.

The Commission also wants equal treatment of EU and UK students when it comes to fees: after Brexit, EU students were moved from a “home” to “international” status, which varies between £11,400 and £38,000 per year. Student visas are another issue, and can be £490, while the healthcare surcharge is usually £776 a year.

Austrian MEP Andreas Schieder said the European Parliament overwhelmingly backed restoring student mobility. “We all are very much in favour. There is no reason for anyone to be against,” he told i . “We want European students to pay the same rates as UK students. If it is like before, it would be perfect, but it still has to be negotiated.”

He said the UK’s refusal to be part of any student scheme, even though it was offered by the EU, was a political decision by a government driven by Brexit.

Brexit confusion puts off UK Horizon science applicants, sparking EU callout

“This was ideological,” he said. “They said they wanted a clean break. But they have surely understood now that British students and British universities that are suffering. Now, we have a chance to get back to where we were.”

Britain also left the Horizon Europe research programme four years ago in the face of pleas from the scientific community, but last year the UK moved to reassociate itself with the scheme.

Last year, the European Movement delivered a petition to Downing Street calling for the UK to return to Erasmus, which had 40,000 signatures – including those of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas and former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable.

The move was welcomed by campaign group Best for Britain, which called on Rishi Sunak to restore free movement.

“The UK Government must now respond in kind,” said Best for Britain chief executive Naomi Smith. “Until a reciprocal EU-UK youth mobility scheme is formalised, our young people will continue to be robbed of the irreplaceable formative experiences their parents and older siblings enjoyed, because of a failed Brexit project they did not vote for.”

In a Best for Britain poll last year of more than 10,000 voters, 68 per cent backed a new reciprocal youth mobility scheme with the EU and 61 per cent backed the UK being in Erasmus.

The move was also welcomed by the British Youth Council, the UK-wide youth-led charity.

“This is not only a welcome step but a necessary one amid a time when the EU and UK youth sectors, along with young people more generally, long for a closer bilateral, cross-channel relationship,” said Maurizio Cuttin, the British Youth Council’s UK Young Ambassador.

Schengen report 2024: Commission proposes recommendations for a stronger Schengen area 

On 16 April the Commission published the State of Schengen and set the priorities for the year ahead. The Schengen area has evolved into the world's largest free travel area. Guaranteeing smooth and secure travel to a population of almost 450 million people, the Schengen area is essential for the European Union's competitiveness.

In 2023, over 10 million Schengen visas were issued, and more than half a billion passengers visited the Schengen area, reaching 92% of pre-pandemic 2019 levels. This has significantly contributed to the EU economy, as tourism contributes close to 10% of the EU's GDP and provides jobs to about 22.6 million people.

The report shows that important developments were achieved in the past year, among them agreement on the legislative framework, including the Schengen Borders Code, the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the Advance Passenger Information Regulations and the Directive on Information Exchange between law enforcement authorities. The report shows that the Schengen rules are well applied, although there are some implementation gaps, for instance: a reinforced legislative framework , where work is required to put in place the new measures, including police cooperation, to phase out long-lasting internal border controls; an integrated Schengen governance framework , for which the Commission will continue to work towards more complete data analysis in close cooperation with the EU agencies and Member States. Another step was the start of admission of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area by lifting controls at the internal air and sea borders on 31 March 2024.  A further Council Decision is needed for the lifting of checks at the internal land borders with Bulgaria and Romania.

The report reflects on achievements, challenges and developments in the area. This year’s State of Schengen report is also accompanied by a proposal for a Council Recommendation identifying the priority areas for the 2024-2025 Schengen cycle.

It is now for the Schengen Council which will take place in 13-14 June to discuss the 2024 Schengen report and adopt the Commission proposal for a Council Recommendation. The implementation of these recommendations will be monitored by the Council, Member States, the Commission and relevant EU Justice and Home Affairs agencies.

Find out more:

2024 State of Schengen report

Press release

Schengen Evaluations

Compendium of Best Practices identified in the framework of the Schengen evaluation and monitoring mechanism

Report on the situation at the internal borders

Proposal for a Council Recommendation for the 2024/2025 Schengen Cycle

Schengen evaluation and monitoring

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• International travel, immigration and repatriation during COVID-19

UK travel update: government waives quarantine for arrivals fully vaccinated from Europe and USA while also confirming international cruise restart

The latest steps towards reopening international travel make it easier for people vaccinated in Europe or the USA to travel to England.

Read the guidance on testing and quarantine for amber list countries

• passengers fully vaccinated with vaccines authorised by the EMA and FDA in Europe and the USA will be able to travel to England from amber countries without having to quarantine on arrival from 4am 2 August
• part of the second Global Travel Taskforce review, these latest changes will boost economy and make it easier for those vaccinated in Europe or USA to return to the England and unite with family and friends
• updates include restart of international cruise sailings and bespoke testing programmes for certain groups of workers

The UK government has today (28 July 2021) announced that passengers arriving from amber countries who have been fully vaccinated in Europe ( EU Member States, European Free Trade Association countries and the European microstate countries of Andorra, Monaco and Vatican City) and the USA will not have to quarantine when entering England, as part of a range of new measures designed to continue to drive forward the reopening of international travel, set out as part of the second Global Travel Taskforce checkpoint review .

From 4am 2 August 2021, passengers who are fully vaccinated in the EU with vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency ( EMA ) or in the USA with vaccines authorised by the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ), or in the Swiss vaccination programme, will be able to travel to England without having to quarantine or take a day 8 test on arrival.

Amber arrivals who have been fully vaccinated in the USA and European countries will still be required to complete a pre-departure test before arrival into England, alongside a PCR test on or before day 2 after arrival. Separate rules will continue to apply for those arriving from France . Those vaccinated in the US will also need to provide proof of US residency. Passengers from all countries cannot travel to the UK unless they have completed a passenger locator form .

Following the close monitoring of epidemiological evidence, gained through the restart of the domestic cruise industry earlier this year, the UK government has also confirmed the go ahead for international cruise sailings to restart from England in line with Public Health England guidance. International cruise travel advice will be amended to encourage travellers to understand the risks associated with cruise travel and take personal responsibility for their own safety abroad.

To further support the safe restart of international cruise travel, the government and cruise industry have signed a breakthrough memorandum of understanding ( MOU ) to help the industry build back from COVID-19 while protecting British nationals from future pandemic-related disruption.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

We’ve taken great strides on our journey to reopen international travel and today is another important step forward. Whether you are a family reuniting for the first time since the start of the pandemic or a business benefiting from increased trade – this is progress we can all enjoy. We will of course continue to be guided by the latest scientific data but thanks to our world-leading domestic vaccination programme, we’re able to look to the future and start to rebuild key transatlantic routes with the US while further cementing ties with our European neighbours.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:

Our vaccination programme is building a wall of defence against this virus so we can safely enjoy our freedoms again, with 7 in 10 adults in the UK now double jabbed. By reopening quarantine-free travel for travellers who have been fully vaccinated in European countries and the USA , we’re taking another step on the road to normality which will reunite friends and families and give UK businesses a boost.

We are also relaxing the testing requirements for certain critical workers, who by the nature of their work do not mix with the public or leave their vehicles helping free up running times by removing undue burdens.

All measures announced today will be kept under review and be guided by the latest data. Public health remains our top priority, and we will not hesitate to act should the data show that countries risk ratings have changed.

Travel continues to be different this summer, and while some restrictions remain in place passengers should expect their experience to be different and may face longer wait times than they are used to – although the government is making every effort to speed up queues safely. We will continue to rollout upgrades to our e-gates over the summer to automate checks for health requirements, with many e-gates already in operation and more to be added over the coming months to increase automated checks on passengers at airports.

If travelling abroad, you should continue to take the steps to keep safe and prepare in case things change before you go or while you are there. Check the booking terms and conditions on flexibility and refunds and subscribe to FCDO travel advice updates to understand the latest entry requirements and COVID-19 rules at their destination.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Is my passport still valid? New rules and prices around soon-to-be expired ID

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With more bank holidays coming up, many of us are excited to leave the country. But before you set off, you’ll want to double check your passport.

We don’t mean check that it is definitely in your bag or pocket, but really pay attention to your passport details.

That’s because since Brexit , new rules have come into play and are now in effect for British travellers .

Since the UK has now left the European Union , travelling to Europe and the Schengen Zone comes with some complications, as UK passport holders are now’third-party nationals’.

This means that your passport now needs to be issued less than ten years before your arrival date to the destination.

So, now the issue date is just as important as the expiry date, meaning your passport needs to be less than ten years to the day you’re landing.

Before, you could travel with a passport that was out of date by up to nine months, (meaning you were able to use it for more than ten years).

Now, not only must your passport be less than ten years old, you also need to make sure it has at least three months remaining on its expiry.

Simply put, if you’re travelling to Spain on 5 May, you need to make sure your passport was issued after 5 May 2014 and expires no earlier than 5 August 2024.

Anyone who fails these rules will be turned away, which is already happening to some British travellers.

What are the new passport renewal rules?

These rules apply to Brits travelling to all EU member states, except Ireland. They also apply to other countries in Europe’s Schengen area, such as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, and Monaco.

Now, your UK passport must:

• have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the EU country (the date of issue)
• be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave (the date of expiry)

How can I check if my passport is still valid?

Check the date of issue on your passport – is it issued within ten years of the day you land?

Add three months to the day you leave the country – does your passport expire after that?

If the answer to the questions above is ‘yes’ then you don’t need to worry. But if it is ‘no’ then you’ll need to either apply for a passport renewal or get an emergency travel document (especially if your travel date is soon, or you get turned away at the airport).

How much is passport renewal in 2024?

You will need to renew your passport though the HM Passport Office , which allows you to renew it through the post or online.

You can use the online service to renew your passport at a cost of £88.50. You’ll need: a  digital photo ; a credit or debit card; and your old passport including passports to other countries.

You can get a paper application form by either going to a Post Office that has a  Check and Send service , or calling the  Passport Adviceline . This costs £100.

To renew your child’s passport, it’s slightly cheaper. Online, the service costs £57.50 – you’ll need a digital photo of your child, their old passport, any valid passports from other countries, and any court orders relating to your child.

You can also renew their passport by post, in the same way you would for an adult, which costs £69.

You can pay by either a debit or credit card – fill in the form in the application pack, or send a cheque made payable to ‘HM Passport Office’

You’ll need two new and identical printed photos of yourself.

What makes a passport invalid?

Other than passport issue and expiry date problems, there are other ways the document might be rendered invalid, for example if there is physical damage to it.

Vicky Pattinson was recently turned away at the airport when her passport was chewed by her dog, and there are ways a passport might be deemed invalid.

This can be if:

• Details are indecipherable
• The laminate has lifted enough to allow the possibility of photo substitution
• There’s discolouration of the bio-data page
• There’s chemical or ink spillage on any page
• There are missing or detached pages
• The chip or antenna shows through the end paper on the back cover for the new style e-passports
• The chip has been identified as damaged after investigation

If your passport is damaged and you have an overseas trip booked that’s shorter than a month away, you’ll need to use the  Fast Track service . This involves attending an appointment at a Passport Office (you can choose between Belfast, Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport or Peterborough), where you’ll need to hand in a completed application form, two valid passport photos, and any supporting documents.

You’re guaranteed to receive your new passport in seven days but these appointments get booked up quickly – especially in peak season – so book one as soon as possible.

What happens if my passport is invalid?

The Consular Section at the British High Commission regularly receives panic calls from Britons at the airport – someone in the family was not allowed to board the flight because their passport expires in less than six months.

The British High Commission can help by processing an  Emergency Travel Document  (ETD). This costs £100 and is usually issued within 24 hours. Visas for ETDs may be required; some countries that allow visa-free entry on a regular passport will require a visa for an ETD.

As you can see, these scenarios result in added costs and unexpected delays, so check your passports ASAP.

What other rules are coming into effect for UK travellers?

British travellers to European and Schengen countries are also no longer ablefor stay at length.

Now you can only stay for a maximum of 90 days within a six-month period, whereas before you could have stayed longer.

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