(CNN) – After four years of confusion, it finally happened.
The United Kingdom officially severed ties with the European Union last night as the Brexit transition period ended at 23:00 British time.
Brexit has not been an easy path politically, and the UK – which voted 52-48 to leave the EU in 2016 – is entering the new year more divided than ever.
But what does that mean for travel?
It all depends on whether your passport is from the UK, the EU or somewhere else – and from which currency zone you come.
For some travelers, the freight pound means a trip to the UK is very attractive.
But for citizens of the UK and the EU, things are going to change.
Can British citizens now travel to Europe?
Long-term, yes. Short-term – possibly, or probably not. Most EU countries currently have borders for citizens from outside the bloc due to Covid-19. Now that the UK has “third country” status, citizens have lost their right to travel freely within the EU. There is now technically no difference between a British citizen who wants to visit France and an American citizen – who, of course, has been banned since March – hoping to do the same.
However, as EU countries remain sovereign countries, each country has control over its own borders and will be able to make an exception for British citizens if it so wishes. It may take some time to see how it expands, as arrivals from the UK are currently banned from most of Europe, thanks to the new variant of Covid-19, first identified in the south of England.
Most EU countries have placed Covid-related restrictions on access to the UK until at least 6 January. It is only then that we can get some clarity on whether or not countries will make exemptions for Britons as soon as the current health crisis begins to subside.
Greece also currently allows travelers from the UK, and has not indicated that this will change.
However, the historic ally of Britain, Portugal – who launched a “Brelcome” campaign last year, promising “Portugal will never leave you”, announced that British citizens would not be allowed from 1 January, except for essential travel. Belgium and Norway said the same.
France, Italy and Spain have not yet made any announcements, although non-residents’ travel from the UK is currently banned for all three, due to the Covid variant.
How is it the other way around?
Would it be cheaper to visit the UK?
Probably, but it obviously depends on what currency zone you come from. The pound crashed in June 2016 when the referendum was announced, and has not yet returned to pre-Brexit levels against the euro and the dollar.
However, it’s not as bad (or good, depending on your point of view) as it used to be – after another historic collapse in March, when the sterling hit a 30-year low against the dollar and an 11-year low. against the euro. at the start of the latest round of negotiations (exacerbated by the pandemic), the pound gained some value again and rose again after a trade agreement with the EU was announced on 24 December.
However, if you convert US dollars, this is a big difference compared to the dubious days of 2007, when the conversion was from $ 2 to £ 1. For many people, the decline in sterling will ultimately make a British journey viable.
I’m British. Can I still travel freely to the EU after the borders reopen after Covid?
After the Covid restrictions, you will still be able to travel visa-free whenever possible. But you may only spend 90 days out of every 180 days in the Schengen area (most EU countries plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein). This means that it is no longer possible to spend the winter in the Medical. For example, if you enter the EU on 1 January, you will have to leave on 1 April – you may not return until 30 June and then leave before October.
These grants are cumulative. So you can not spend three months in one country, go home and return for a weekend urban vacation.
The EU is introducing a visa waiver scheme called ETIAS (similar to the US ESTA scheme) by the end of 2022. It is likely that UK citizens will be included in the scheme, which will be around € 7 for three years kos.
How is it the other way around?
Visas are not currently required for EU citizens visiting the UK. You can currently spend six months in the UK without applying for a visa.
The UK is expected to include EU citizens in its ETA visa waiver scheme by 2025.
Will things become more expensive for British citizens?
Exchange rate aside, probably. By leaving the EU, telephone companies in the UK can now re-charge fees while traveling there (this was previously abolished under EU rules). The UK’s leading suppliers have said they are not going to introduce it, but check with yours first before you go.
Conversely, EU residents can be charged roaming fees when using their phones in the UK. Again with your supplier.
How about healthcare?
According to the government, UK citizens will need travel insurance – even if the December 24 agreement states that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) cards (which provide health cover at the same level as locals receive) will be valid until their expiry date. Note that they will not be valid in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.
Regular treatment for chronic conditions – such as dialysis or chemotherapy – will continue across the border, with prior discussion.
Meanwhile, the UK has stated that it will create a “global health insurance card” for its citizens, although details (and timing) have yet to be released.
Expect there to be a lot of confusion over the coming months – when CNN dialed the EHIC query on December 31, a call handler advised that the cards would no longer be valid from January 1, and we should call back in two weeks to find out if the government has arranged an alternative.
Will we need new paperwork?
British citizens now need six months of validity on their passports to enter the EU (technically the EU requires three months of validity, but the UK advises its citizens to have six months left). EU residents can use identity cards to enter the UK until 1 October 2021. After that, you will need a passport unless you are a UK resident.
How about management?
If you are taking a British car to the EU, it must have a GB sticker displayed, and you must have a ‘Green Card’ outlining your insurance in different languages.
What happens at the border?
Officially, British citizens are no longer entitled to use the EU passport gates in border control. However, every EU country will be able to decide to grant an exception. As the UK is currently being banned from most countries due to the Covid, the situation is likely to become clearer in a few months.
What about pets?
Taking your dog on your summer vacation is a rite of passage for many Britons. Now that the UK is no longer part of the EU Pet Passport Scheme, you must obtain an animal health certificate for at least ten days before traveling. It is available from your veterinarian. Note that you will also need a certificate if you are traveling from England, Wales or Scotland to Northern Ireland.
How about abroad?
There is no more freedom of movement between the EU and the UK. Anyone wishing to move between the two must now apply for a visa.
What about Gibraltar?
In an 11-hour agreement on 31 December, it was announced that Gibraltar – the British territory at the southern tip of Spain – would become part of the Schengen area, as an access point to Spain. However, the Prime Minister, Fabian Picardo, confirmed that only the area would be part of the Schengen area – not the people. In other words, British nationals will not be able to use it as a back door to Spain.
There are two access points: one for Gibraltar and one for Schengen. The airport will be in the Schengen area, so there will be no immigration checks for flights within Schengen.
And Ireland?
The Republic of Ireland is exempt from the 90/180 rule for British citizens. And there is no limit to items you can take across the border, as long as it is for personal use only or for gifts.
There will be no border controls between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland; however, you cannot take meat or dairy products from England, Scotland or Wales to Northern Ireland, and if you are traveling with a pet, it must have a certificate – even if you do not intend to cross the Republic of Ireland do not pull.
Any respect?
Tax-free shopping will now return for EU-UK travel, although the UK has ended up tax-free on non-excise goods – for example electronics and cosmetics.