SO... NOW WHAT?
What a Brexit deal means for you. (Spoiler alert: NHS be getting its £350m a week)
THINGS are going to look very different in future for those of us travelling to the Continent.
When Brexit happened on January 31 this year, we entered a transition period where EU rules continued.
But much of that will change at the stroke of 11pm on December 31.
So how will Brexit affect your dayto-day life and holidays?
Here’s a basic guide.
dan.bloom@mirror.co.uk @danbloom1
You no longer have the right to live and work in the EU
From January 1, EU citizens can’t move to the UK unless they have a job offer, earn at least £20,480 (often more), speak good English and have certain skills.
In return, UK citizens must get permission to live or work in EU nations and will need a visa for most trips over 90 days.
EU nationals already living in the UK must register for “settled status” by June 30, 2021. To get settled status, you must have been living in the UK for at least five years continuously, without a break of more than six months.
If you have not been in the UK for this long, you can get “pre-settled status”. You will then have to make a second application when you reach the five-year mark to upgrade it to settled status. There is no fee to apply.
If you’re a UK national in the EU, you may need to apply for residency status there before June 2021. You may also need to buy health insurance or register for healthcare.
And among other paperwork, you may need to exchange your driving licence for a local one.
You must renew your passport six months early and pay to visit the EU from 2022
You do not automatically need a new passport. Your old one remains valid even if it says European Union on the cover. But you must renew your passport if it has less than six months to run on the day you travel.
Your passport must also be no more than 10 years old.
At the moment, British citizens can enter Schengen Area countries with a valid passport even if they have only a day left. As a tourist, you will still be able to travel to most EU countries plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, without a visa.
And you’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.
But from 2022, UK nationals will have to pay for a visa-waiver scheme in order to visit many European countries.
You’ll also no longer be able to
use EU fast-track passport control and customs lanes.
You could face huge disruption on roads and at ports
The Government is braced for disruption as lorries go through new checks. Disruption may not be limited to freight ports. Eurostar is asking passengers to arrive “a little earlier than usual” and “at least one hour before departure” due to new checks.
If you run a business, there’s a lot of new paperwork
Business owners will need to make customs declarations when they import or export to and from the EU.
If you run a business, you will need an EORI number to do this.
If you don’t get one by December 31, your goods may be delayed.
Importers will also need to check what new licences and certificates they may now need. Firms will need to check the rules for importing alcohol, tobacco and certain oils. You have to do a lot more before taking a pet on holiday – even a guide dog
EU pet passports for dogs, cats and ferrets will no longer be valid from
January 1, 2021. Instead, you’ll have to visit a vet 10 days to a month before each trip you take with your pet, including guide dogs. The animal will need to be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel.
Ten days or less before travel, a vet needs to issue an EU Model Health Certificate to allow the pet into the EU.
Pet owners will have to report with their animal to a Travellers’ Point of Entry once they arrive in Europe.
Your automatic European health insurance will end
Currently UK travellers to the EU don’t need private health insurance, because they’re covered by European Health Insurance Cards.
But EHICs will essentially become invalid on January 1.
Tourists are being urged to buy “comprehensive” travel insurance.
That’s partly because, while EHIC covered pre-existing medical conditions, many private travel insurance policies do not. If you have a pre-existing condition, you may have to pay more. A last-minute deal ensures ongoing treatments such as dialysis, oxygen therapy and some chemotherapy can continue.
You may be hit by mobile phone roaming charges on holiday
Mobile phone users currently get free data roaming across the whole of the EU, thanks to relatively recent EU rules.
But after January 1, phone firms will be allowed to hit you with roaming charges abroad.
However, the four main UK mobile operators have said they have no plans to reintroduce roaming.
You need a special permit to drive your car in the EU
From January 1 many countries will require you to get an International Driving Permit, £5.50 at the Post Office.
You will also be forced to apply for a “green card” to prove you have the right car insurance. The certificates are free and available from insurance companies, though firms may increase admin fees. Those who forget their green cards would have to buy pricey “frontier” insurance. You might be blocked from TV
streaming sites while on holiday
Subscription services such as Netflix will no longer be forced to let you watch your account in full in the EU.
Package holiday bookers will get less legal protection
Currently Brits have “insolvency protection” if they book with a package holiday provider based anywhere in the EU. After January 1, that will only apply if the firms are established in or ”actively targeting” the UK.
You might not be able to take a ham sandwich with you on holiday
The Government’s website warns: “You will not be able to take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries from 1 January 2021.” There are some exceptions, for example certain amounts of infant food or pet food for medical reasons. But at least you’ll be able to do duty-free shopping!
Duty-free shopping for Brits going to
Europe is back after January 1.
“Booze cruisers” will be able to bring 42 litres of beer, 18 litres of still wine and 4 litres of spirits or nine litres of sparkling/fortified wine.
You can also bring back 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco.
You can still use your credit or debit card abroad
This is essentially the case, just check with your issuer. However, you may be charged more for using credit or debit cards to pay for things in euros when you buy from companies in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway.
Payments may also take longer.
We don’t get an extra £350m a week for the NHS
Our net contribution to the EU was more like £234m. The IFS previously said that the UK had basically spent any savings up to 2022 on the £40billion divorce bill and the commitment to replace EU funding.
Supermarket and clothing prices may rise
Prices could still rise even in a deal, as retailers will have more paperwork. Producers may also have to follow different regulations in the UK and EU.