The UK’s new relationship with the EU: everything you need
to know
April 2023
The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020
and continued to follow EU rules until 31 December 2020.
It’s important to remember that most EU laws in place before we left the Union have been transferred into British law. Therefore, many of the protections and regulations regarding travel remain in place. Some laws are like maritime and air travel are protected under international law, so they also remain the same.
It is also worth noting that Alan Rogers Travel is ABTA and ATOL protected. This means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. All the package and Flight-Plus holidays we sell are covered by a scheme protecting your money if the suppliers fail.
You can still travel between the UK and the EU, but the rules have changed, and you may need additional documentation. It is worth familiarising yourself with the new procedures that have been put in place so that your holiday runs as smoothly as possible.
For the latest and most up to date information and travel advice, we recommend you visit gov.uk/brexit
What does this guide cover?
We’ve included information on areas which we consider to be the most important for standard travel but you can always visit the government website for further advice and information.
Passports Visas
GHIC & Travel Insurance Driving in the EU
Dashcams & Sat Navs
Breathalysers & Oversized Outfits
1.0 Passports
You can continue to travel to mainland Europe with your UK passport until it expires, as long as your passport is valid for the length of your stay, has at least six months of validity left and is less than ten years old. This includes all current passport designs, including burgundy covers and those with ‘EUROPEAN UNION’ printed on the front. These rules don’t apply when travelling to the Republic of Ireland as a special bilateral travel arrangement has been made between the two countries. If you apply for a new passport, you will be sent the new-style blue design.
You can no longer use the EU/EEA/Switzerland fast-track lanes at airports. You should use the other lanes or e-gates where available. Expect queues in peak season and plan ahead to avoid disruption to your holiday.
2.0 Visas
UK travellers won’t need a visa for short visits. UK citizens will be able to visit the EU for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. Multiple holidays within this period will count towards your 90 days.
From late 2024*, you will need to apply for an ETIAS Visa Waiver to travel to Schengen member countries. ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a new system being implemented by the European Commission to strengthen the Union’s borders. All countries that do not currently need a visa to travel to Europe will need to apply for the waiver.
Don’t worry; we’ll provide further information about this scheme nearer the time.
*ETIAS was originally planned to be deployed in late 2022. This has been pushed back to at least May 2024, though likely later.
3.0 GHIC & Travel Insurance
Changes have been made to how UK citizens receive free or low-cost healthcare while in the European Union. Whereas previously, the holder of an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) was entitled to healthcare at little, to no cost while on holiday, that is no longer the case.
If you have an EHIC that is still valid, you can continue to use it in the EU until it expires. You can still apply for and use an EHIC if you are a British state pensioner residing in the EU or an EU national living in the UK.
The UK Government launched a replacement scheme called GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card). You can apply for a card at gov.uk/global-healthinsurance-card. You can use a GHIC to get “necessary healthcare” from state services when you’re visiting an EU country.
Necessary healthcare means healthcare which becomes “medically necessary” during your stay, and you cannot reasonably wait until you’re back in the UK to get it.
We recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that covers your medical needs. Don’t purely rely on an EHIC or GHIC.
4.0 Driving in the EU
Driving in the EU has been largely unaffected and won’t require any extra paperwork, an International Driving Permit or Green Card.
You need to hold a valid UK driving licence if you plan to drive in the EU including Ireland, Andorra, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland. You also need to display a UK sticker if your number plate has a GB identifier with the Union Jack, a Euro symbol, a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales, or numbers or letters only. If your number plate includes the UK identifier with the Union Jack, you do not need a UK sticker.
If you’re in Spain, Cyprus or Malta, you must display a UK sticker no matter what is on your number plate. If you have a GB sticker, you should remove it.
If you’re towing a caravan, you should check if you need to register your trailer before entering some EU countries. You can find out more at gov.uk/guidance/trailer-registration.
Check gov.uk/driving-abroad for a step-by-step guide, and any requirements specific to the country you’re driving in.
5.0 Dashcams
Dashcams are something of a grey area in some parts of Europe as they potentially break privacy laws, especially if the footage captured is shared online or with your insurer without the consent of those in the video. Because of this, using your dash cam in Austria, Luxembourg and Portugal is illegal. In Belgium, France, Germany, Norway and Switzerland they are legal but with strict conditions so it’s best to research this before you travel. Dashcams are unrestricted in Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and, of course, the UK.
5.1 Sat Navs
Sat Navs are a useful tool in helping you get from A to B. But the use of navigation systems to give directions isn’t the issue here. Some models can actively search for mobile and fixed speed cameras or interfere with police equipment. Models that offer this option are illegal in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland. Make sure you disable this feature in the listed countries.
5.2 Breathalysers
Once a legal requirement in France, breathalysers are now not a requirement but it is advised that you have one to hand. Make sure your breathalyser is NF approved.
5.3 Travelling in Spain?
Does your outfit exceed 12m? If yes, you are required to fit marker boards to the back of your vehicle. You can either have two small boards or one large board but they must be placed at the back of the outfit between 50cm and 150cm off the ground. The marker board must have a plain yellow centre with red outline, be made of aluminium and manufactured to the ECE70 standard.
5.4 Travelling in France?
Does your vehicle exceed 3,500kg? If yes, you must have a sticker showing the position of blind spots, visible on the sides and at the rear of your vehicle. This regulation has been in force since January 2021.
6.0 Taking Pets Abroad
You can no longer use the Pet Passport scheme to travel with your pet to the EU. Instead, you must get your pet microchipped and then vaccinated against rabies before it can travel.
You will need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate from your vet no more than 10 days before you travel.
You can find the full requirements for taking pets to the EU at gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad.
The certificate needs to be signed by a vet and will be valid for 10 days after the date of issue for entry into the EU and Northern Ireland and four months for onward travel and re-entry to the UK.
7.0 Data Roaming
Some UK mobile networks have reintroduced roaming charges.
The amount that EU mobile operators can charge UK operators for providing roaming services is no longer regulated. This means that surcharge-free roaming when you travel to the EU can no longer be guaranteed.
You should check with your operator to find out about any roaming charges or additional fees.
A new law means that you’re protected from getting mobile data charges above £45 without you knowing.
Once you reach the £45 limit, you’ll need to opt in to spend more so that you can continue using the internet while you’re abroad. Your phone operator will tell you how you can do this.
