Travel after Brexit - Deja Vu
Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 9:29 am
Travel after Brexit: from passports to driving licences
There is increasing nervousness about booking flights and holidays as we approach Brexit on 29 March without a deal.
There is certainly reason for caution, but as long as you understand the new rules that might be introduced, and are prepared, you should still be able to enjoy a smooth holiday. Here we give practical advice on steps to take to have a trouble –free holiday, even if there is no deal on Brexit.
Q: Can I confidently book a flight for after Brexit?
A: Most, if not all existing flights between the UK and EU will fly as normal whether there is a deal or not – the EU has said as much. The remaining question mark hangs over new routes.
The EU had said that flights should be capped at the same number as in summer 2018, which doesn’t allow for the new flights that many airlines have already launched. The International Air Transport Association has estimated this could mean up to five million tickets need to cancelled. However, it appears the EU and UK are also close to a deal to remove the cap. This would mean all flights will take off even if there is no deal.
Q: If my flight is cancelled, will I get my money back and compensation?
A: Whatever the circumstances, your airline remains responsible for getting you to where you need to go. It will still need to provide food, drink and accommodation if you’re delayed, and, yes ultimately, if the flight is cancelled and you can’t be rerouted, you’ll get your cash back.
However, you probably won’t get any compensation. We don’t know what will happen to EU261 rules, which awards passengers compensation for delays, following Brexit.
However, deal or no deal, any travel disruption caused directly by Brexit is likely to be declared an ‘extraordinary circumstance’.
Q: Would my holiday be better protected if I book a package?
A: Yes. UK package travel holiday protections are far more comprehensive than EU261 and will remain in force regardless of no deal. If your flight is cancelled because of Brexit, and you have booked a package, you’ll be able to claim the full cost of the holiday back – not just the flights.
It’s also worth booking with a travel agent that is a member of the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta). It has assured travellers they will get a refund. Book any combination of flight, hotel or car hire, with the same company in one payment and you have a package holiday.
Q: Will travel insurance cover Brexit-related disruption?
A: Some insurers say yes, others say no. Our advice is to pick one that says yes. Insurer Direct Line has confirmed to us that its standard policy would cover Brexit-related cancellations or disruption, while Admiral, Aviva and Saga have said the same publicly.
Make sure that any policy you take out includes cover for travel disruption, as some cheaper policies do not, and buy insurance at the time of booking rather than the time of travel.
Q: Will queues at airports be longer?
Possibly. Unless a deal is struck or airports in the EU popular with British passport holders put in place a significant amount of additional staff, there are likely to be long queues. Our research found queues are most likely in Alicante, Tenerife and Lanzarote. If you are planning to travel to these airports, and there is no deal, you may want to bring extra food and water as it’s likely you’ll be in a queue for several hours.
Q: Is my passport still valid for travel?
A: Possibly not. We reported that an estimated 3.5 million UK passports, some with up to 15 months validity left won’t be accepted for travel to Schengen Area countries if there is no deal.
That’s because until recently, UK citizens who renewed their passport before it had expired had any remaining validity added to the validity of the new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. That means a UK passport could be valid for a maximum of 10 years and nine months. These nine months, or any period beyond 10 years, won’t be valid for travel to Schengen Area countries.
With Schengen Area rules also requiring non-EU travellers to have six-month validity on their passport on the day of travel, some UK passports with 15 months until expiration can’t be used to visit Schengen states. Examine your passport and check its validity, or go to passport. service.gov.uk.
Q: Will I need a visa for the EU?
A: Not immediately. While UK passport holders will become third-country nationals in the event of a no-deal, the EU has waived the requirement for a tourist visa until 2021 for visits of up to 90 days over a six-month period. That could be one trip or several trips to different countries.
Q: Can I still use my UK driving licence abroad?
A: Not on its own. You’ll need an international driving permit (IDP) if you want to drive or hire a car anywhere except Ireland. Countries, such as Spain and France, require different IDPs, so you may need to buy two. IDPs cost £5.50 and can be bought at some post offices, but not online.
You may need a Green Card if you intend to drive your own car. UK car insurance policies currently extend at least minimum cover to travel in the EU, but this will end without a deal. The Green Card carries confirmation that you are insured from your policy provider. This is free.
There is increasing nervousness about booking flights and holidays as we approach Brexit on 29 March without a deal.
There is certainly reason for caution, but as long as you understand the new rules that might be introduced, and are prepared, you should still be able to enjoy a smooth holiday. Here we give practical advice on steps to take to have a trouble –free holiday, even if there is no deal on Brexit.
Q: Can I confidently book a flight for after Brexit?
A: Most, if not all existing flights between the UK and EU will fly as normal whether there is a deal or not – the EU has said as much. The remaining question mark hangs over new routes.
The EU had said that flights should be capped at the same number as in summer 2018, which doesn’t allow for the new flights that many airlines have already launched. The International Air Transport Association has estimated this could mean up to five million tickets need to cancelled. However, it appears the EU and UK are also close to a deal to remove the cap. This would mean all flights will take off even if there is no deal.
Q: If my flight is cancelled, will I get my money back and compensation?
A: Whatever the circumstances, your airline remains responsible for getting you to where you need to go. It will still need to provide food, drink and accommodation if you’re delayed, and, yes ultimately, if the flight is cancelled and you can’t be rerouted, you’ll get your cash back.
However, you probably won’t get any compensation. We don’t know what will happen to EU261 rules, which awards passengers compensation for delays, following Brexit.
However, deal or no deal, any travel disruption caused directly by Brexit is likely to be declared an ‘extraordinary circumstance’.
Q: Would my holiday be better protected if I book a package?
A: Yes. UK package travel holiday protections are far more comprehensive than EU261 and will remain in force regardless of no deal. If your flight is cancelled because of Brexit, and you have booked a package, you’ll be able to claim the full cost of the holiday back – not just the flights.
It’s also worth booking with a travel agent that is a member of the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta). It has assured travellers they will get a refund. Book any combination of flight, hotel or car hire, with the same company in one payment and you have a package holiday.
Q: Will travel insurance cover Brexit-related disruption?
A: Some insurers say yes, others say no. Our advice is to pick one that says yes. Insurer Direct Line has confirmed to us that its standard policy would cover Brexit-related cancellations or disruption, while Admiral, Aviva and Saga have said the same publicly.
Make sure that any policy you take out includes cover for travel disruption, as some cheaper policies do not, and buy insurance at the time of booking rather than the time of travel.
Q: Will queues at airports be longer?
Possibly. Unless a deal is struck or airports in the EU popular with British passport holders put in place a significant amount of additional staff, there are likely to be long queues. Our research found queues are most likely in Alicante, Tenerife and Lanzarote. If you are planning to travel to these airports, and there is no deal, you may want to bring extra food and water as it’s likely you’ll be in a queue for several hours.
Q: Is my passport still valid for travel?
A: Possibly not. We reported that an estimated 3.5 million UK passports, some with up to 15 months validity left won’t be accepted for travel to Schengen Area countries if there is no deal.
That’s because until recently, UK citizens who renewed their passport before it had expired had any remaining validity added to the validity of the new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. That means a UK passport could be valid for a maximum of 10 years and nine months. These nine months, or any period beyond 10 years, won’t be valid for travel to Schengen Area countries.
With Schengen Area rules also requiring non-EU travellers to have six-month validity on their passport on the day of travel, some UK passports with 15 months until expiration can’t be used to visit Schengen states. Examine your passport and check its validity, or go to passport. service.gov.uk.
Q: Will I need a visa for the EU?
A: Not immediately. While UK passport holders will become third-country nationals in the event of a no-deal, the EU has waived the requirement for a tourist visa until 2021 for visits of up to 90 days over a six-month period. That could be one trip or several trips to different countries.
Q: Can I still use my UK driving licence abroad?
A: Not on its own. You’ll need an international driving permit (IDP) if you want to drive or hire a car anywhere except Ireland. Countries, such as Spain and France, require different IDPs, so you may need to buy two. IDPs cost £5.50 and can be bought at some post offices, but not online.
You may need a Green Card if you intend to drive your own car. UK car insurance policies currently extend at least minimum cover to travel in the EU, but this will end without a deal. The Green Card carries confirmation that you are insured from your policy provider. This is free.
