Brexit: UK travellers get government help to plan trips to EU in 2021
Written by News on 18/09/2020
A government campaign aimed at helping British travellers prepare for Brexit changes is being launched today.
The information, published in print, online and on social media, explains the new rules coming into force for trips to the European Union from 1 January, after Britons voted to sever ties with the bloc in the 2016 referendum.
People are being warned they may not be allowed to visit most EU countries if their passport does not have both six months left until it expires and is less than 10 years old.
According to the guidance, European Health Insurance Cards may no longer be valid, so holidaymakers should purchase “appropriate travel insurance”.
Travellers may also need international driving permits in some countries, while other warnings include the switch to a different process for taking pets abroad, which takes four months, and the end of the guarantee of free mobile phone roaming throughout the EU.
“The campaign launching today will help British nationals prepare for visits to Europe by bringing together all the information they need to know in one place so they can plan in advance and get on with their trip”, the Minister for the European neighbourhood, Wendy Morton said.
UK residents made 67 million visits to EU countries in 2019, according to the Office for National Statistics.
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Mark Tanzer, chief executive of travel trade organisation ABTA, said: “Europe is home to some of the most popular destinations for British holidaymakers.
“Many people will be making plans for travelling to Europe next year, so ABTA and its members are keen to work with the UK government to make customers aware of any changes that will affect their travel arrangements.”
Travellers are urged to visit gov.uk/transition to check what actions they may need to take before their trip.
(c) Sky News 2020: Brexit: UK travellers get government help to plan trips to EU in 2021
