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Whilst Brexit negotiations continue to take place, a number of plans have been put into place for things that affect anyone travelling abroad. This post covers Driving, EHIC, Passports and Visas.
DRIVING
Guidance has been added to the UK Governments website about documents you will need to use if you intend to drive in the EU after 29th March 2019, if the UK ends up leaving the EU with no withdrawal agreement. If you currently hold a UK licence, this entitles you to drive in EU countries and no other documents are necessary. Currently, anyone moving to live in another EU country can exchange their UK DVLA or DVA (Northern Ireland) licence for a driving licence from the new home country, and there is no requirement to redo a driving test.
Due to the current uncertainty surrounding Brexit, plans have been set up for a no deal scenario, if that happens, a UK driving licence may not be valid by itself if you want drive in the EU. Also, anyone currently living in another EU country may not be able to exchange their licence after the UK has left the EU, on 30th March 2019.
What do you need to do?
If the UK ends up in no deal scenario, drivers will need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) in order to legally drive in the EU. The International Driving Permit (IDP) is used alongside the standard UK driving licence, and enables you to drive in EU countries. If you don’t get an International Driving Permit (IDP) you may be risking fines, enforcement action, or you may be stopped at the border and refused entry. It will be your responsibility to ensure that you get an International Driving Permit (IDP), and that it is carried with your current UK driving licence.
Currently there are two International Driving Permit (IDP), one is covered by the Geneva Convention, the other by the Vienna Convention. Whilst Greece is covered under both conventions, you will need to ensure that you get the correct one to suit your needs:
The Geneva Convention International Driving Permit (IDP) is valid for one year (12 Months).
The Vienna Convention International Driving Permit (IDP) is valid for three years, or for the length of your driving licence if that expires within the three years.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) can be purchased from the Post Office and currently costs £5.50. Some current International Driving Permit’s (IDP) will be valid for travel after 30th March 2019, but you will need to check this before travel, so as not to run into any issues
Anyone who is visiting the EU and intending to drive in any EU country from 29th March 2019, will need BOTH of the following documents:
- A valid UK driving licence
- A valid International Driving Permit (IDP)
- You must have passes your driving test in your home country
- You must be age 18 or over
Anyone who is in the process of moving to another EU country can exchange their driving licence for a licence of the EU country you will be living in, up until the 29th March 2019. The rules will change in March however, and if you move to another EU country after 29th March 2019, you will not be able to exchange it. Licence rules will be wholly dependent on the EU country you move to, and you may need to take a driving test in that country in order to get a new non-UK licence. If any UK licence holders have a license for another EU country, they will be able to re-exchange that EU license for a new UK licence if they decide to move back to the UK.
For more comprehensive information, and details of the treaties, please go to the relevant Government site.
EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)
The Government have agreed a new bill that will see the EHIC card continue after 2020, this means that the card you have will still be valid for travel after brexit. Whilst it will be a new EHIC scheme there should be no disruption to the current one whilst transition occurs. The Governments bill will ensure that expats living abroad and those travelling to EU countries after the 29th March 2019 will continue to receive care using their EHIC card, those from EU countries needing healthcare in the UK will be offered the same under a reciprocal agreement.
Whilst it will be a new EHIC scheme there should be no disruption to the current one whilst transition occurs. We are awaiting to see if a “no deal” scenario affects it, but at present we don’t know, and the above is current UK Government guidance.
PASSPORTS
Whilst Brexit negotiations continue to take place, information is being released for a number of things that affect anyone travelling abroad. One of these is what will happen in regards to passports and visas. Guidance has been released about documents you will need to use if you intend to travel to the EU after 29th March 2019.
If there is a “no deal” brexit the following information is applicable, and will apply to all UK passports including Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Gibraltar residents/passports holders. Ireland does not apply.
From the 29th March 2019, under a no deal scenario travellers to the EU must ensure that they have six months left on their passport before travelling, this is for both Adult and child passports. Any passports that were previously renewed before expiring would normally have the extra months added, but this may now not count, and your passport may end at ten years, so you will need to check with the passport office of the amount time remaining on your passport.
If your passport does not have six months validity on their passport before travelling it will be your responsibility to apply for a new passport before you travel. You must also not book your travel unless your passport if fully valid aligned to these new rules.
Further information can be sought from the Passport information pages on Gov.uk
VISAS – European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)
There have been many discussions about Visas, and whilst it has been confirmed that UK Citizens will be required to get “Travel Authorisation” (similar to a visa) called ETIAS in order to visit EU countries, that will not happen until 2021. The proposed cost is currently being discussed and will be confirmed nearer the time. In the meantime as long as UK citizens have a valid passport – as mentioned above – then there is no reason to be concerned about ETIAS just yet.
ETIAS is short for European Travel Information and Authorisation System and applicants can get get their travel authorisation via an ETIAS application form, which will be online. The ETIAS must be requested and received before travelling. As of 2021 an ETIAS will be a legal requirement and it is being proposed that an ETIAS will be valid for a period of three years allowing the user to visit the destination as many times as they wish in that period, in line with other immigration and travel regulations.
At present even in a “no deal” scenario there is no plan to bring in the ETIAS early for UK travellers, we will of course monitor this and advise when the system goes live for UK traveller to Europe.
