Dreaming of Future Travel

DREAMING OF FUTURE TRAVELS

So, you want to ride over to the continent once you’re allowed? Dreaming of future trips abroad? Yep, and me.

If, like me, you enjoy riding your bike over the other side of the channel and exploring new and exciting places, you may be a bit confused about the new rules you need to meet. It turns out this isn’t as straightforward as it first appears, as there is conflicting information all over the place, even on the government’s own website.

I’ve been asked a few times about riding over to, or through the EU now the UK is no longer in it. So, I thought I would try and update people as to what you now need. However, there are a few things that I can find out.

Firstly, and most importantly, beware websites that have been set up to

Driving licence – Make sure your UK licence won’t expire soon, and take it with you as always – along with your V5C and insurance documents etc.

International Driving Permit (IDP) – Some websites are saying you need to take an IDP for every country in the EU that you are travelling through. However, the government website states:

‘You do not need an IDP to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you have a card driving licence issued in the UK.

You might need an IDP to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have either:

• a paper driving licence • a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey,

Jersey or the Isle of Man’

There are also further complications as there are three different types of IDP if you do need one. There is a full list of countries and whether you need an IDP (and which type) on the government website here: www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/ international-driving-permit

They cost £5.50 and you can get them from a post office. A digital copy is no good, you must take a physical copy with you.

Insurance – Most (all?) bike insurance policies will still cover you for the basic level in the EU. But check with your insurer to make sure, and it may be worth upgrading to better cover.

On another note, most EU countries issue their drivers an ‘Accident Report’. This is a form to fill in if you have an accident (similar to our insurance claim forms). Whilst it isn’t compulsory, it might be an idea to print one off to take with you. These forms are usually in the language of the issuing country, but you can download one here http:// european-accident-statement.accidentsketch. co.uk in English (or any other language) to print and take with you.

Green Card – This is a document that confirms you have insurance. You will need a green card for every vehicle and trailer (so if you are towing a trailer with your bike, you will need 2 green cards, one for the trailer and one for the bike). You need to contact your insurer for these.

GB sticker - You must have a GB identifier on the rear of your vehicle (even if you have an EU symbol or the English/Welsh/Scottish/Irish flag). If you have one on your number plate, you are covered in most of the EU. However, if you’re in Spain, Cyprus or Malta, you must display a GB sticker no matter what is on your number plate.

Health Insurance – This is a bit of an ‘up in the air’ one at the moment. The free EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) does not cover UK citizens anymore. However, if you have a current EHIC card the EU have said they will honour it, up to its expiry.

The government have said they are ‘negotiating’ a replacement at the moment, and it looks likely to be the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).

My personal opinion is don’t rely on it. Get some proper travel and health insurance, it’s not worth the huge bill if anything happens. For people with existing medical conditions, there are quite a few companies now that will cover you. You just need to shop around, which is a pain in itself.

This is from Martin Lewis’ www.moneysavingexpert.com

Here’s what we know:

UK nationals who currently have an EHIC can continue to use it until the card expires, no matter how long that is, with some exemptions – you’ll no longer be able to use your EHIC in Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, which are not part of the EU, but previously accepted the EHIC from UK nationals.

When your EHIC expires or you’re applying for the first time, you’ll need to get a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead. Like an EHIC, the new free GHIC will entitle holders to emergency or necessary state (not private) medical care for the same cost as a resident in the EU country they’re visiting; but it won’t cover you in the countries listed in the point above. See our GHIC replaces EHIC MSE news story for more info.

on the NHS website but apply and you’ll get a GHIC. If you don’t quite know your GHIC from your EHIC just yet, don’t worry, the NHS website is still catching up as well. It says its online application portal will still refer to the EHIC for now. It sounds a little daft but quite simply, if you apply now it’ll look like the EHIC form, but you’re really applying for a GHIC, and that’s what you’ll receive.

Warning. Beware of unofficial copycat sites which charge you to apply for an EHIC/GHIC – you should never pay as they are always free via the official NHS website.

Passport - You should have at least 6 months left on your UK passport and it needs to be less than 10 years old, or you may not be able to travel.

Mobile Phone – The EU rules on mobile phone companies not being able to charge a roaming fee does not apply to the UK now. Check with your company to see if they have ‘roaming charges’ (most are not bringing any in). This especially applies to people who use their phones as SatNavs etc, as you can quickly build up the cost. The company should notify you once you have used up £45 worth.

Pets – Pet passports issued in the UK are no longer valid. Other rules are now in place - www.gov.uk/ taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-an-eucountry-or-northern-ireland

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) – This is an on-line application to cross EU borders, for those countries not in the EU, but also do not need a Visa. There has been much talk about this, it was created in 2016 so that people from certain countries outside the EU (or the EU Schengen Zone) can cross the borders without needing a visa. At present it costs 7Euro.

Although the system is up and running, the EU

state ‘All UK nationals will need to apply for ETIAS travel authorization by the end of 2022, when the scheme becomes fully operational.’

So it will not be mandatory until 2023. But if you don’t complete it after then, you will need a Visa.

More details here: www.schengenvisainfo.com/etias

Also, don’t forget you can’t use the ‘EU’ lanes at ports and customs anymore. You need to use the none - EU lanes. This means you may have a longer delay in getting through, and be subject to more checks.

This may also impact those who need to take prescription drugs with you. At the moment I don’t believe the rules have changed, but best to check before you go, especially if you have a ‘controlled drug’ like Morphine. The NHS has a useful site here: www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/ medicines/can-i-take-my-medicine-abroad

You will still need to check each country’s rules on what equipment you need to take (reflective vest, first aid kit etc). You can check this at the government website here: www.gov.uk/world

That’s about as much as I know at the moment. Things are changing rapidly though, but hopefully it won’t be too troublesome or costly to ride over to the EU.

I for one can’t wait for all the restrictions to be lifted and we can once again get out on our bikes and travel. Have fun and stay safe.

Vic

Small print (otherwise known as the ‘covering my arse’ bit);

This information is current at the time of writing (07/01/2021) and is not comprehensive, but as with everything it can change at any time. It is also only for visiting for a holiday etc of up to 90 days. Anything else (like business travel, selling stuff, studying etc etc) other rules apply.

Further information is available at: www.gov.uk/ transport/driving-abroad