How Brexit has changed traveling for UK residents
From duty free booze to health cover, what travel looks like for UK travelers in a post-Brexit world.
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Post Brexit Travel to the EU for UK travelers
Visas, passports, health care and travel insurance
During the more than 40 years before 1 January 2021, the people of the UK enjoyed a smorgasbord of benefits as citizens of a country within the European Union. Not least was the right to work freely in other European countries, exemptions from holiday visas and the ability to buy vast quantities (relative to other international borders) of booze (and other treats) and bring it home in over-loaded cars from French port towns (without paying any UK duty).
More importantly, UK residents traveling to the EU could also take advantage of reciprocal state health care in other European Union countries, in the event of illness or accident while traveling… a rather marvelous benefit and potentially a huge cost saver if plans went awry.
While you can still bring back vast quantities of booze (albeit with limits and only for a period of time), Brexit has changed the travel landscape, raising the question of how travel insurance can support UK travelers while abroad.
Will I still get reciprocal health care in the EU after Brexit?
Thanks to the fantastic European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), millions of travelers from the UK have enjoyed reciprocal state health care while European Union citizens. While the UK government advice states you can still use your existing EHIC until it expires, the level of cover available to UK residents appears to be changing with the introduction of the slightly more international sounding Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
The GHIC has different rules and cover to the EHIC – it may not offer the same cover you previously enjoyed when holidaying to Europe as the cover available in some countries has already changed. Before traveling, check your card expiry and even if you have traveled to a country in the EU before, it’s a good idea to know the new rules and cover provided under the EHIC And GHIC for your destination.. If the cover isn’t what you need, travel insurance may be able to bridge any gaps in emergency medical assistance while you’re abroad.
Does travel insurance cover medical emergencies for UK travelers in the EU?
World Nomads Travel Insurance for UK travelers includes 24/7 Emergency assistance if you’re injured or ill while abroad, as well as overseas medical assistance, hospitalization and repatriation or evacuation if needed. Benefit limits apply and vary depending on the plan you purchase.
World Nomads travel insurance also offers cover for more than 150 activities. There are limits and exclusions around these, so take the time to consider what activities you might plan on doing and the level of cover you’ll need.
And if you’re already abroad and discover you don’t have the health care cover you thought you might, you can purchase travel insurance online and may be immediately covered for unexpected accidents, although be aware a 72 hour time excess does apply before some benefits kick in.
Will UK travelers to EU countries need new passports or visas?
Not having the right visas or travel documents can not only see your dream holiday abroad cancelled or delayed, it may mean any additional costs you incur are not covered by your travel insurance. A double whammy you definitely want to avoid.
Yes the rules did change from 1 January 2021 although many of them won’t take effect from the end of the transition period on 31 December 2021. Depending on where, what and how long you plan to travel, you may need to apply for a visa and consider getting a new passport if yours is close to expiring.
How your passport looks is changing too – the new UK ones will no longer be the smart burgundy colored passport, used by most countries within the EU, but a return to the navy version of pre-European Union days.
You might need to get your passport stamped (great if you love to collect stamps!) and show a return or onward ticket and that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay.
From early 2022 the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) kicks in and its anticipated it will be obligatory by the end of 2022 meaning you may need to apply and pay for a visa waiver to travel to Schengen area countries.
Travel Insurance Tip: It pays to be prepared – not having the right travel documentation might leave you out of pocket and isn’t a reason for cancellation or trip interruption under many travel insurance policies. Make sure you know what travel documents you need, how much time you’ll need to apply and be approved for them, any other documentation you might need, and have a valid passport with plenty of time before it expires (at least 6 months).
Do I need travel insurance if I travel to the EU from the UK?
That’s up to you – but here at World Nomads we believe it’s always a great idea and here’s some reasons why. The UK government has also included it in their list of things you may need to do before traveling to the EU post 1 January 2021.
When buying travel insurance, make sure it has the level of health care cover you might need, including overseas medical cover and repatriation, travel disruption, lost, stolen or damaged baggage cover, and the activities you plan to do on your trip abroad. You can get a quote here which outlines what’s covered on World Nomad’s Standard and Explorer Plans.
If you’ve any questions about World Nomads travel insurance, contact us for more.
The UK government has also published advice on what Brexit means for UK travelers – you can read more here.
World Nomads travel insurance includes cover for:
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) and travel - Need to know before you buy
Some but not all of our policies provide cover for some coronavirus-related events – select your Country of Residence to find out more. Cover is not available for loss arising from: government intervention including travel bans, border closures or broadly imposed quarantine requirements; events for which the Government (see your policy) has issued a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning or its equivalent, for your destination(s); or failure to follow advice from official bodies. Your ability to travel may be affected by travel restrictions. Check your cover and the latest government advice and our travel insurance alerts.