1st January 2021

Wendy Blakeman • 28 December 2020

The Brexit deal and what we know

Passports

You must check your families passports are valid for travel to the EU after Jan 1st 2021. Do so early so you have plenty of time to renew them. Use the Govmt online checker here It's not enough to just have 6 months left, it needs to be within 10 years too. Make sure baby has a passport too - it's often one people forget to think about ! You don't need a visa just yet ( unless you are staying over 3 months) - not until the EU visa scheme comes in in 2022.

Driving

It's been announced that you will not need an international drivers licence to drive to France (not the case for all EU countries so check if you are going elsewhere) your British licence will be recognised, for at least until the end of 2021 . You will however require what is known as a 'green card' - you can get this from your car insurance provider. You MUST have a GB sticker even if your registration plate has a GB on it.

Border checks

From 1 January 2021, the official is required by EU law to conduct deeper checks. You'll need to give yourself plenty of time - at least 2 hrs has been suggested and possibly longer in the peak season although we are sure things will get easier as time goes by once everyone gets used to it. They may ask for the purpose of the visit; where you plan to travel and stay; how long you intend to remain in the EU; how you propose to fund your stay; and whether you constitute a threat to public health. Your return ticket and address of your hotel or holiday property will likely be sufficient unless you look particularly dodgy ! No doubt with the toddlers screaming in the back of the car they'll want to wave you through as quickly as possible !

Travellers will not be able to take meat, milk or products containing them from the UK into the EU - so no ham or cheese sandwiches to keep the kids quiet. There is an exemption for powdered infant milk, infant food, and special foods required for medical reasons but conditions apply so make sure you read up on this if it applies to you.

There will also be limits on taking back alcohol and cigarettes to the UK, so check these out before loading the car with loads of wine down at Eric Cartauds ! There is also a limit €430 for all other goods, from duck confit to cheese to clothes. There's also stricter limits for what you bring into the EU - we, for example will be restricted to just 5 bottles of wine from the UK to France which has put a stop to our own booze cruise to the UK for New Zealand sauvignon which is hard to get here !

Health care

It appears that although the UK Govmt announced the EHIC scheme would be replaced by a global scheme, there are no details yet of this. If you have an EHIC card that is in date then they have said it may still be used. If it is not in date, the NHS are no longer issuing EHIC cards to holidaymakers going to the EU , instead they say if you have an accident / fall ill whilst on holiday you must request a provisional replacement certificate (PRC).

The certificate is required when a customer is abroad requiring treatment but has not applied for an Ehic or does not have a valid Ehic card with them at the time of treatment. To get one, you, or a companion or family member, must call NHS Overseas Healthcare Services on +44 191 218 1999 during working hours (Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm). You must have your National Insurance number and the name of the hospital or other medical facility that is currently treating you.

Further info here on the NHS pages. They say the page will be updated on the 4th Jan with more info.

We strongly recommend that you also take out travel insurance.

and finally....

There are also lots more new rules regarding pets, and certain countries in Europe, travelling for work or staying in the EU for over 3 months which may concern you too, so we recommend signing up to notificationsfrom the Uk Government with regards to travel from 1st January.

This is the online checker for your situation whether you are a family going on holiday or a business wanting to trade with the EU - it will tell you what you need to do.

We will update this page as we know more. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions at all.

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