Brexit advice

The UK is no longer leaving the European Union on 29th March 2019. The UK Government has confirmed that the earliest the UK will now leave the European Union (EU) is 31st October 2019. It has been confirmed by the government that with or without a deal, flights will still operate between the UK and EU with a lot of UK holidaymakers already booked on their holidays this year. Although we don’t yet have all of the answers when it comes to Brexit, we will do our very best to keep you updated with all the latest information as it comes through from ABTA. Here’s everything we know so far:

Will I need a visa to travel to the EU?

UK citizens should will not need to obtain a visa to travel to the EU after Brexit, this is as long as European citizens are guaranteed the same when travelling to the UK. This will not change – even in a no deal scenario. According to the European Commission, from 2021 UK citizens will have to pay a visa exemption fee of 7 Euros when travelling to any country in the EU (similar to the US ESTA process).

What happens if my holiday is cancelled due to Brexit?

Nothing at this moment suggests this will happen, even in the case of a no deal Brexit. Flights will still operate between the UK and EU and when you book a package holiday through Sunshine, you’re protected by the comprehensive Package travel Regulations. This means that you’ll be entitled to either a full refund or alternative if your holiday cannot be provided. The government has stated if we do leave the EU without a deal, after March 29, your protections will stay the same if you buy a package holiday from a UK-based business, like Sunshine.

Passport renewals

British passport holders will need at least six months left on their passport in order to travel in the EU after Brexit. These six months are counted from your arrival date. We advise that you check the expiry date on your passport to ensure you have enough time to renew it before you travel if it needs to. You can renew your passport online or by going to a Post Office with a Check and Send service.

If you're not sure whether you need to renew your passport, you can find out by using the government’s online Check a Passport tool.

Health and Insurance

In the event of a no deal Brexit, your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in theory will no longer exist. Sunshine advises customers to take out appropriate travel insurance when going abroad, whether the EHIC is valid or not.

Will I be able to drive in the EU after Brexit?

If you have a full UK driving licence, you're currently still able to drive in the EU. However, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, this may change and you would then need to apply for an International Driving Permit - which would come with a small fee (around £5.50). You will also have to obtain and carry a Green Card around for your UK insurance to be applicable in the EU. It is best to check this with your insurer and they may charge you a small fee for issuing the card.

Can I still fly to Europe after Brexit?

In a word, yes. You can rest assured that, regardless of the outcome of the government's Brexit negotiations, UK citizens will still be able to fly between the UK and the EU. If we leave the EU with a deal then everything will stay the same until the end of December 2020. In the case of a no-deal, the UK government has recently confirmed that UK-based airlines will still be able to operate between the UK and the EU, and the same goes for EU-based airlines flying into the UK. Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA, has also stated that: Today's announcement provides further assurance that, whatever the outcome of Brexit, travellers can continue to book holidays and business trips with confidence.

To find out more information click here.

Will I have free mobile data roaming in the EU after Brexit?

Although UK citizens currently have free data roaming in EU countries, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, it could see the end of free EU roaming. Roaming charges could come back in, however the government has confirmed they would introduce caps to ensure customers don't get stung with enormous bills whilst traveling abroad. Some UK companies have also said they may continue to offer the service to their customers. We advise you to check the costs with your service provider before you travel.

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