Travelling after Brexit

The UK and EU have agreed an exit deal which needs to be ratified before 31 January 2020. If ratified, which the UK Parliament is on track to do, there will then be a transition period until the end of 2020 while the EU and UK negotiate new arrangements.

During the transition period, existing relationships with the EU will continue. This means you will be able to travel as you do now until the end of December 2020.

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?

Yes. If a deal is ratified then we will be in a transition period, meaning everything will stay the same until the end of December 2020. 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 new passport after Brexit?

Valid passports can still be used. You do not need to have six months left on your passport to travel to the EU. Your passport does however need to be valid for the whole of your trip. 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. From 2021, this may change depending on any negotiations between the UK and EU.

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

No. UK travellers won't need a visa to travel to the EU. From 2021, this may change depending on any negotiations between the UK and EU.

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.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and travel insurance

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows any EU citizen to access state medical care when they are travelling in another EU country. In the event of a Brexit deal, UK registered EHICs will still be valid throughout 2020. ABTA has always advised holidaymakers and business travellers to make sure they have appropriate travel insurance, whether they have an EHIC card or not, as there are limitations to EHIC.

Whatever the outcome of the Brexit process, it’s important to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance in place that covers your current circumstances, including any medical conditions.

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