How will a no deal Brexit affect my holidays? Q&A

No deal Brexit – how will it affect your half term travels with the family?

With more and more uncertainty piling up after another unproductive round of negotiations with Brussels, people are starting to worry about how a no deal Brexit will affect their winter and half-term holidays. With less than a month until the deadline, there is still little clarity on how Brexit will turn out; a deal that allows the free movement of people is looking highly unlikely, and a no deal exit seems more inevitable by the day.

Rebecca Kingsley, Brand Manager of consumer awareness initiative Travel Insurance Explained, answers the burning questions about travelling in a post-Brexit world:

 Will I have to get a visa to visit Europe?

Currently, holidaymakers can stay in the EU for 90-days without needing to apply for a visa, but it is still not known if holidaymakers will need a visa to visit Europe post-Brexit. For those hoping to move to a European country for work, stay for longer periods of time or study abroad, a visa will likely be required.

 Will my travel insurance still be valid if we leave no deal?

Your travel insurance policy will remain valid whether we leave with or without a deal. Having said that, the majority of travel insurance companies will not cover you in the event of Brexit disruption. For example, if the chaos of Brexit results in long lines at the airport and you miss your flight, then unfortunately most travel insurance policies will not cover you.  However, some travel insurance policies are offering to cover Brexit-related disruption as standard. Look out for travel insurers who specifically state they will provide cover in the case of Brexit delays.

 Will my passport still be valid in the event of a no deal Brexit?

Post-Brexit your passport will need to be valid for at least six months from the date you are due to return home. If your passport has fewer than six months left on it before it expires, then you may be denied entry into the EU. If you leave for an EU country before Brexit and return after, customs shouldn’t hold you to that rule and you will be allowed back in to the UK.

 EHIC and travel insurance

Currently, the EHIC entitles UK citizens to free or discounted healthcare in the EU. If we leave the EU without a deal there is a chance the EHIC will cease immediately. Holidaymakers are advised to ensure they are buying a suitable travel insurance policy. All travel insurance policies will offer cover for emergency medical expenses, but holidaymakers will need to ensure they declare any existing conditions. Failure to do so could result in a claim being denied. Without the EHIC or a suitable travel insurance policy, holidaymakers who fall ill or sustain an injury abroad could face large medical bills.  It’s also important to remember that travel insurance will not cover you if the purpose of your trip is medical, such as cosmetic or dental surgery.

Rebecca Kingsley says: “Unless you are travelling around 31^st October, you shouldn’t find your travels to be affected too significantly, as long as a lengthy visa process isn’t implemented. If you are travelling around that date then you should make sure you leave plenty of time for delays and the change in the customs system.   The most important things you need to think about are the expiry date on your passport and making sure you have the appropriate travel insurance when visiting an EU country. Failure to do so could see you denied entry into the country you are visiting, or land you with a hefty medical bill should you visit any hospital.