Travelling to Europe after Brexit: how will it affect holidays?

Here’s what you need to know.

Main photo: passport control at Athens airport (Getty Images)

Will I need a visa to travel to the EU?

For tourists, there are minimal travel restrictions at the moment. However, at border control, you may be asked to provide evidence of a return or onward ticket, and that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay.

The one key change is that if you visit any country in the Schengen area (this includes most EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) on holiday, you can only stay for a maximum of 90 days in a 180-day period. This is a cumulative number across member states — so if you spend 90 days in France, you may need a visa if you want to enter another Schengen country. Alternatively you can wait as the 180-day period is rolling, so your allowance is increasing all the time.

Each country has its own rules on extended stays (beyond the 90 days), so you should double check with the Foreign Office and the embassy of the country you’re travelling to. Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania have their own 90-day limits, which means you can visit these four countries without adding to your total stay across Schengen states. Travel to Ireland is exempted as it’s part of the Common Travel Area with the UK.

There are plans to introduce the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) from November 2023 for citizens of countries that currently enjoy visa-free travel to the EU, including British passport holders. It will work in a similar way to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (Esta) that is used to enter the United States and is expected to cost €7 (£6). The system is not live yet but it’s expected that travellers will have to apply for it online.

What are the new passport rules?

The rules around passport validity have also changed since the UK became a “Third Country”, which means you can no longer use your passport until the day it expires — unless you’re travelling to Ireland. The government now advises renewing your passport if it is more than ten years old (even if it’s valid on paper for longer), or if less than three months remain on your passport on the day you leave your intended EU country.

For passports that are more than ten years old, it is crucial to check. Traditionally in the UK, up to six months of validity on your current passport is added to your new passport when you renew — but the EU doesn’t recognise this extra validity for Third Countries, so you’ll need to renew your travel documents before they expire.

Can I use my mobile phone abroad?

When the UK left the EU, the guarantee of free mobile phone roaming in EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway ended. Before Brexit, all major mobile phone network providers promised to keep free roaming in place, but all have since updated their policies by either introducing new charges or reducing usage allowance.

You should check with your provider on exactly what applies to you as different mobile networks have different policies for different tariffs. The government has introduced a law to cap mobile data charges to £45, though, so if you accidentally switch on roaming, you won’t be charged more than this unless you opt in.

• Are there roaming charges in Europe?

Do I need an international driving licence for the EU?

If you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK then in most instances you won’t need an international driving licence (IDP) to drive in EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. However, you may need one if you have an older paper driving licence, if you plan to stay for an extended period (for example, over 30 days), or if your licence is issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

If you do need an IDP, there are actually three different versions — 1926, 1949, or 1968. Which one you need will depend on the country you’re travelling to; the government provides a list of these. Alternatively, you can check with the embassy of the country you’re visiting, or the car hire company you’re using.

If you’re travelling through multiple countries, you may need to have more than one IDP. And if you’re taking your own car, make sure you have valid insurance and your car has a UK sticker on the rear. Different versions are accepted, but you should check the details for the country or countries you’re travelling to as the rules may be different.

State healthcare is still available for UK citizens in Europe, but the system has changed (Getty Images)

Can I get healthcare abroad?

British citizens can get free healthcare cover for travelling to EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland. It doesn’t replace travel insurance, but it does entitle the holder to the same state healthcare that locals are entitled to, which will either be free or discounted. This system was previously known as the European Health Insurance Card (Ehic).

Since Brexit, two free alternatives have been introduced. Which one you’re issued will depend on your eligibility, and their validities are slightly different. Both of these will cover emergency treatment, visits to A&E and routine maternity care, unless you’re going abroad to give birth.

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK Ghic) is the one that’s issued to most people and it works in the EU and Switzerland, but not in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The government says more countries may be added to this list in future.

In Norway, you can use your UK passport to gain medically necessary healthcare but for Iceland and Liechtenstein, you’ll need to make sure you have suitable travel insurance, especially for pre-existing conditions.

The second alternative is the UK Ehic, which can be used in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

You’re only eligible for this if, before Brexit transition ended, you were a citizen of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein living in the UK; a British state pensioner, or family of one, living in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland; or a UK student living and studying in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.

You can check your eligibility and apply for both documents for free via the NHS website.

Take me there

Inspired to see more of Europe but yet to book your trip? Here are the best Tui holidaysand British Airways breaks.

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