Travelling after Brexit

Check your passport expiry date

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, British visitors will be subject to the same rules as non-EU nationals when entering European countries: which means passports will have to have been issued within the past ten years, and have at least 6 months validity left on it. Passports that are older than ten years may not be accepted, even if you renewed it before your previous one had expired.

If you're unsure, you can check your passport on the Government's online validity checker here: https://www.gov.uk/check-a-passport-for-travel-to-europe

Book with confidence

We understand that these are uncertain times. However, you can book with confidence with Cosmos. We are members of ABTA and our flight-inclusive holidays are ATOL protected. Your holiday is also covered by the Package Travel Regulations.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), of which we are a member, has produced some useful advice to reassure you. In short, after 31 January 2020, flights will still continue to operate to and from the EU, and visas will not be required. Here are a few pointers from the experts at ABTA:

Will flights still operate to and from the EU after Brexit?

Tourist travel between the UK and the EU member states is highly valued. Whether we leave with or without a deal, both the UK government and the European Commission have given assurances that flights will continue to operate between the UK and the EU.

Will I need a visa to travel to the EU after Brexit?

In November 2018, the European Commission stated that UK citizens would not need a visa to travel to the EU, as long as the UK applies the same provision in reverse. They suggest that from 2021, UK citizens will need to pay a visa-exemption fee (of around 7 Euro) as part of an electronic travel authorisation system already in place for non-EU countries. If you have travelled to the US before, you will already be familiar with the similar ESTA process.

What happens if my holiday is cancelled due to Brexit?

There is no indication that holidays will need to be cancelled due to Brexit. However, if this were to occur, you would be covered under the Package Travel Regulations and would receive a full refund. All our holidays are covered by these regulations, so you can rest assured that you can book with confidence.

Will I need a new passport after Brexit?

The advice from the government is that anyone travelling after 31 January 2020 should have at least six months’ validity on their passport on the date of arriving into an EU country. Longer term passport arrangements are still being worked through.

And finally…

Whatever the outcome of the Brexit process, it’s really important to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance in place. If you have any Brexit-related concerns about an existing or future booking with Cosmos, you can speak to one of our friendly advisers or your travel agent, who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Useful further reading:

You can read the ABTA advice in full here: https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers

Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-nationals-travelling-to-eu-essential-information

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/passenger-consumer-rights-when-travelling-to-the-eu-after-brexit

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/passenger-travel-to-the-eu-by-air-rail-or-sea-after-brexit

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/passport-rules-for-travel-to-europe-after-brexit

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice