Travelling after Brexit

The UK and EU deal has now been ratified. There is now a transition period until the end of 2020 while the UK and EU negotiate additional arrangements. The current rules on travel for the UK and EU will continue to apply during the transition period. New rules will take effect on 1 January 2021.

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 throughout the year. New rules will take effect on 1 January 2021.

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. Flights will still continue to operate to and from the EU, and visas will not be required throughout the year. New rules might take effect on 1 January 2021.

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.

Whenever travelling, abroad or domestically, 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.

Please go to https://www.gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card for more information.

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