travelling to europe on british passport after brexit

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Everything you need to know about travel to Europe after Brexit

Do you need a visa to travel to the EU after Brexit? Here’s how the rules are looking in 2024

Photograph: Shutterstock

Way back in 2020, the UK left the EU and Brexit took effect. Since then, a hell of a lot has changed about how we travel. There’s now plenty of extra stuff to think about when planning a trip overseas to Europe (especially if it’s for longer periods). So, we ’ve rounded up all the changes to the rules that we’ll have to follow, now that we’re no longer EU citizens. Here is everything you need to know.

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You should probably check your passport

Up until January 2021, all UK citizens with a valid passport were able to travel freely throughout Europe. Now, though, you may need to renew your passport much earlier than you might think. On the day you travel, your passport must have at least six months left before it expires, or you might not be able to travel to any EU countries, or the EEA states of Iceland , Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland . (The old rules still apply for travel to Ireland.)

You can check if you need to renew your passport before travelling using this tool from the British government, and you can apply for a new one here . Make sure you renew it at least a couple of months before you’re planning to travel, as it may take several weeks to process applications in busy times (including right now).

You can no longer apply for an EHIC

Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will remain valid until its expiry date, but you can no longer apply for a new one. In 2021, the UK government launched a replacement scheme, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) , which will entitle you to necessary state healthcare for free or at reduced cost in Europe and other countries with reciprocal arrangements such as Australia and New Zealand . You can apply for one on the official GHIC website .

Free mobile roaming is a thing of the past

The guarantee of free mobile roaming throughout the EU, the Schengen area and the Norway, Iceland and Liechenstein, came to an end on December 31, 2020. It ’s best to c heck with your phone operator to find out about any charges you may incur in the country you’re travelling to.

Border checks may feel a little different

At border control, you will now need to use separate lanes from EU citizens when queuing. Officials may also be more inquisitive than before, asking you to provide a return or onward ticket and prove that you have enough money for the length of your initial stay.

Your driving licence will still be valid – but you’ll need a ‘green card’ proving you have insurance too

Despite reports British drivers would soon have to apply for an ‘international driving permit’ before travelling to the Continent, according to the terms of the Brexit deal, UK licences will still be valid within the EU.

According to this advice by the Foreign Office , you do not need a ‘green card’ (proving you have car insurance cover when driving abroad) when driving in the EU. However, countries where they do apply include Albania, Azerbijan, Moldova, Türkiye and Ukraine. 

Visas are now required for longer stays

If you’re a tourist, you won’t need a visa for short trips to most EU and EEA countries. You will be able to stay for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. To stay for longer than 90 days, or if you ’re working,  you will have to get a visa or travel permit.

The EU has set up this short-term stay visa calculator to help travellers calculate how much longer they can stay in Europe. Visit the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s ‘travel advice’ pages  to find out the application process for each country.

The rules for Bulgaria, Croatia , Cyprus and Romania will be different (this is because they aren ’t in the Schengen area ): visits to those four countries will not count towards the 90-day total. 

These arrangements are up to date as of January 2024. They may change, so check back soon for the latest updates on travel to Europe.

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Travelling to Europe after Brexit: how will your holiday be affected?

Since the stroke of eleven on the evening of 31 December 2020, the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the European Union. So new year, new rules for anyone planning on visiting an EU country. Here we answer your questions about your next holiday in Europe.

DO UK CITIZENS HAVE TO USE THE NON-EU PASSPORT QUEUES NOW?

Yes. Say goodbye to the fast-track EU passport control. And while European Union citizens are unconditionally admitted to EU nations on production of valid ID, the same will not apply to British travellers from 2021. Frontier officials may enquire, for example, about your plans and proposed financial support.

DO UK PASSPORTS NEED TO BE VALID FOR UP TO 15 MONTHS TO TRAVEL TO THE EU NOW?

UK travellers to the EU will need their passports to have at least six months’ validity remaining on the day of entry and be less than 10 years' old. But a combination of relaxed British policies on passport issue (holders could carry over up to nine months from their previous passport) and strict European Union rules on non-EU documents means that a passport expiring in 14 months, 29 days might not be deemed acceptable.

DO I NEED A NEW PASSPORT?

Most British passports carry the words ‘European Union’, which until this year gave the right to automatic admission to other EU countries. Now Brexit has happened they will continue to be valid as British travel documents until their normal expiry date – so no, you do not need a new passport in order to travel – but they will lose their power as European Union passports, and may become subject to strict new rules on validity, particularly with regard to free movement.

I AM AWAY IN EUROPE AT THE START OF 2021, WITH TWO MONTHS REMAINING ON MY PASSPORT. AM I IN TROUBLE?

We see no possibility whatsoever that British travellers already in Europe on short visits will be pursued for technical infringements of passport rules.

DO UK TRAVELLERS NEED TO APPLY IN ADVANCE TO VISIT THE EU?

No. The recent agreement between the UK and the EU has allowed for visa-free travel for short visits – up to 90 days in any 180-day period (excluding any trips to Ireland, Croatia, Bulgaria and other non-Schengen states, for which there's no limit on the length of trip). Brussels has said that British visitors will be visa-exempt 'third-country nationals' initially, which means that they need not apply in advance. But within a year or so, British citizens will be subject to the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) , which the EU is working to impose no later than 2022.

The system is aimed at reducing the ‘migration, security or public-health risk’ from nationals of visa-exempt third countries (which is what the UK is after Brexit). ETIAS is similar to the US ESTA scheme. Prospective British visitors to the EU will be required to complete an online form including questions on health, employment and criminal convictions. The fee of €7 (£6/$8) buys a permit valid for three years. On arrival at an EU border, ‘Travellers would have their data verified, their picture or fingerprint taken and a set of questions asked,’ said an EU briefing paper.

WILL FRONTIER FORMALITIES TAKE LONGER NOW?

Now that Britain has bid a tearful adieu/auf wiedersehen/adios to the European Union, ‘UK nationals will not be entitled to use the separate lanes provided for EU/EEA/CH citizens to carry out checks at border crossings and will be subject to thorough checks of all entry conditions for third-country nationals.’

If your destination is Ireland, nothing will change – there will be no border checks. Portugal has announced that it will provide special ‘fast-track’ lanes for British travellers. And at a sleepy Greek island airport it is possible that checks will take just as long, or as short, as they do now.

WILL EU CITIZENS FIND IT HARDER TO GAIN ENTRY TO THE UK?

Currently, European Union citizens can visit the UK with national ID cards. But from 1 October 2021, these cards will no longer be accepted. After that, they will need to show a valid passport and travel documents covering the dates of their trip.

DOES THIS AFFECT FLIGHTS AT ALL?

Of course, the current situation means that few people are travelling to Europe anyway, but there have been reports of disruption for some expat Britons returning to their countries of residence. This is caused by ground-level confusion over British travellers' new status as 'third-country nationals' and by miscommunication over ever-changing Covid restrictions (concerns over the new strain of virus has caused some countries to ban flights from the UK) rather than any official policy.

AND WHAT ABOUT REFUNDS?

Your consumer rights are unaffected by Brexit – you'll be able to claim a refund or compensation if travel is delayed or cancelled.

DO I NEED TO GET ANOTHER DRIVING LICENCE?

No, thankfully a British driving licence will still be valid for driving and car rental in the EU. But you'll need to display a GB bumper sticker next to your number plate.

… AND SPECIAL CAR INSURANCE?

The British Government says that from the start of 2021, motorists might be wise to get a ‘green card’ – a certificate extending their travel insurance to the minimum legal requirements in EU countries. ‘Allow one month to get this from your vehicle insurance company,’ says the official advice.

DO I STILL GET FREE HEALTH CARE?

Good news. Yes. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which confers the right to medical care for British travellers on the same basis as local people in other EU countries, will still be valid until it expires. After that, a replacement called the GHIC is being planned, details of which are a bit hazy right now. If you don't have an existing EHIC card, you can still apply for one here .

DOES MY TRAVEL INSURANCE CEASE TO BE VALID?

Many travel insurance policies specify that the EHIC must be used in Europe. But the Association of British Insurers (ABI) tells us: ‘The primary role of travel insurance is to provide emergency medical care for people overseas, and this will continue.’ Travel insurance is not obligatory, but is recommended.

IS IT TOUGHER FOR ME TO TAKE MY PET ABROAD?

EU pet passports are no longer valid, but owners and pets are allowed to travel within the EU if they have an animal health certificate (AHC). This will be valid for four months, and you'll need a new one each time you travel – ask your vet a month before you travel.

ARE WE BACK TO THE BAD OLD DAYS OF £2-A-MINUTE ROAMING CHARGES?

The EU-wide ban on roaming charges for phone calls and internet use will no longer apply for people with UK mobile phones. Mobile providers will be free to impose whatever fees they wish, though there are no plans to do this, and the Government says it will cap the maximum for mobile data usage while abroad at £45 per month unless the user positively agrees to pay more. But competition is likely to stifle any sharp increases in costs. Dave Dyson, chief executive of Three, says his firm is ‘committed to maintaining the availability of roaming in the EU at no additional cost following Brexit’.

ARE WE ABLE TO CHANGE STERLING – OR USE UK BANK CARDS ABROAD?

Sterling 'fell off a cliff' the morning after the referendum vote, and over the following days and weeks there were some reports of pounds and UK debit cards being declined. But foreign exchange is a profitable business for lots of enterprises, and however poorly the pound is, it is a tradeable commodity and there’s money to be made.

Most importantly, how much wine can I now bring back from Europe?

Sadly, now we're out of the EU, the limit is now greatly reduced: down from 90 litres to 18 litres of wine (24 bottles); 42 litres of beer and four litres of spirits or liqueurs are also allowed and up to 200 cigarettes can be brought back at any one time.

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British Passports After Brexit – What you need to know.

British passports after Brexit: When the UK left the European Union in January 2020, a transition period followed until the end of the year. Which left some confusion regarding British Passports After Brexit.

During this time, Brits could still travel as much as they wanted (and for any reason) to any EU country.

In addition, British passports changed appearance from the old, maroon colour to the new, blue shade. 

Many of our clients here at MyBritishPassport often ask us if there is anything they need to know about the change in British passports after Brexit and we have therefore compiled this handy guide to help: 

Do I need to get a new UK passport after Brexit?

The good news is that, no, you do not need to get a new British passport after Brexit. 

Your current, maroon-coloured UK passport is still very much a valid travel document and you can continue to use it as you normally would. 

Of course, like anything in life, there are always exceptions and you will only need to get a new UK passport if any of the following is true for you:

• Your current British passport has 6 months validity (or less) remaining
• The passport is still valid but is older than 10 years
• You have only 2 blank pages (or less) in the passport for stamps
• Your passport has been damaged or disfigured

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic and politic unrest, HM Passport Office has been taking longer to process passport applications and renewals. 

Renewing your British passport from abroad takes about a week or two longer, so MyBritishPassport therefore recommends starting the process as soon as possible. Click here to renew your British Passport online. 

Many immigration officials and airlines will not consider your passport as a proper travel document if it’s older than 10 years, even if it is technically still valid. If this is the case with you, rather have it renewed now. 

Most authorities require that passports have at least 2 blank pages remaining for stamps and visas. If you are running out of space in your current passport, it would be a good idea to have it renewed soon.

Applying for a “maxi” passport is an excellent option for those who travel often as it has far more blank pages and means that you won’t need to renew your passport as often. 

Can UK citizens travel to EU after Brexit?

The short answer is, yes, UK citizens can still travel to the EU after Brexit, but there have been a few changes: 

• British citizens may now only stay in an EU country for up to 90 days, provided that they are there for holiday/tourist purposes.
• UK nationals will now need to apply for a visa should they wish to study, work or conduct business in the EU.
• Brits may no longer use the “EU” queue at the border. 
• UK citizens may be questioned by border officials regarding the nature of their trip before being allowed entry into the EU.

The above are the main changes for British nationals, but there have been other, minor changes in terms of healthcare, driving and pets:

Travel and Health Insurance.  

However, as a British citizen, you are no longer eligible for EU benefits when traveling, such as free healthcare. 

In the past, UK nationals could hold an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), but you will now need to ensure that you have sufficient travel and health insurance before leaving. 

Driving in the EU after Brexit. 

Another change that has been brought about by Brexit is driving in an EU country. 

If you want to drive in a European Union country, you will now need to have an international driving licence, as well as proof that you are properly insured. This is for the purposes of renting a car in the EU, as well as EU regulations. 

Pet travel in the European Union. 

Before Brexit, UK nationals could freely take their pets with them into the EU. 

As expected, the regulations for pet travel have now changed. Should you wish to travel with your pet into Europe, you’ll now need to obtain a pet passport, which could involve proving that the animal does not have Rabies or other common diseases in cats and dogs. 

Has the British passport renewal process changed after Brexit?

Luckily, there has been no change in the way UK passports are renewed after Brexit. You are still required to complete the online form, send in your old passport and submit digital photos. 

As always, it is vital that everything is 100% correct as even a minute detail can mean that your renewal is rejected. 

MyBritishPassport can help you with your UK passport renewal and ensure that everything is perfect. 

We specialise in British passport renewals from South Africa, Canada and the USA. 

Ready to renew your UK passport? Simply click here , complete the easy form and you are good to go! 

Conclusion. Passport Renewal After Brexit

British passport holders who are not based in the UK may need to take a few extra steps when renewing their passports in order to ensure that they will be able to continue travelling freely in the European Union. There have been some changes to the regulations for British nationals travelling within the EU, so it is important to be aware of these before you go.

The main changes are: British citizens can now only stay in an EU country for up to 90 days, UK nationals will now need to apply for a visa should they wish to study, work or conduct business in the EU, and British citizens may be questioned by border officials regarding the nature of their trip before being allowed entry into the EU.

Contact MyBritishPassport

MyBritishPassport specialises in British Passport renewals from abroad. Get in touch with us today.

Topic: Do I need a new passport after Brexit? 

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ABOUT MYBRITISHPASSPORT

A member of the U.K.PASSPORTS™ group, MyBritishPassport is the leading international British Passport Service Provider catering to British citizens residing outside of the UK. Since its establishment in 2008, the company has been offering efficient and hassle-free online services for British Passport renewals, replacements, and applications from abroad.

The company has gained a reputation as a leading service provider in the industry, with countless verified five-star reviews from satisfied clients worldwide. This speaks volumes about their excellent service quality.

MyBritishPassport has a highly knowledgeable team of British Passport Consultants who are well-versed in all the requirements of the HM Passport Office. They are continuously updated with the latest rules and regulations governing passport issuance, ensuring that their clients receive the most up-to-date advice and guidance.

Please note: Our website no longer fully supports IE11 , as such you may encounter issues using our website, please try an alternative browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge (Windows) or Safari (Mac).

Travelling to Europe following Brexit

As the UK is no longer part of the European Union, travel to Europe is a little different, so it is important to check you have everything in place in time for your trip.

Travel to Europe is a little different now that we are no longer a Member of the European Union (EU), so it's important you plan early to make sure you have everything in place in time for your trip.

As well as reading through our guidance on the main changes below, it’s important to check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice for the destination you are visiting for country specific advice.

If you’re visiting Ireland, plus Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, it’s worth noting that they are part of the Common Travel Area , which is a long-standing agreement that pre-dates EU membership. This means that the new passport rules and visa requirements outlined below don’t apply and some of the other changes may differ slightly. Do make sure you check the FCDO travel advice for Ireland for more detail.

What you need to know about travelling to the EU   

Passport rules.

If you have a British passport, it must be:

• Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (so check the ‘date of issue’)
• Valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave (so check the ‘date of expiry’).

You can find the passport validity rules for the country you’re visiting by checking the FCDO’s advice and reading the entry requirements section. More information is available on ABTA’s passports page. 

To help process travellers quickly and efficiently, manual passport stamping is expected to become fully automated through the new Entry/Exit System (EES) which is due to be introduced in late 2024.

Visas and ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)

If you’re a British passport holder and going on holiday or travelling for business, you can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without needing to get a visa. If you’re planning to stay for longer than 90 days in a 180-day period, you will need to check the FCDO travel advice to find the visa requirements for the country you’re visiting. If you’re a frequent traveller to the EU, you might find this calculator a helpful way to keep track of your visits.

In 2025, the EU is aiming to bring in a new travel authorisation (a visa waiver system) called ETIAS, which will be similar to the ESTA for travel to the US and be valid for three years. Once introduced, British passport holders travelling to the EU will need to apply and pay for an ETIAS via the official ETIAS website . The website is not accepting applications just yet. Find answers to the most commonly asked questions here .

Once ETIAS is live, certain travellers may be exempt. You can find the list of exemptions here . If you are married to an EU citizen and are travelling with your spouse to or within the Schengen Area, you may find you’re exempt from the 90/180-day rule for any period where you travel together. You should check with the country you are visiting before travel to confirm the paperwork that would be required. More information is available here .

Health insurance cards

If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid up to its expiry date (cards are valid for five years when issued). If your EHIC has expired, or you don’t have one, you can apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which is accepted in all 27 EU countries, as well as Switzerland, Montenegro, the Channel Islands and Australia. More details here . As usual, you’ll also need to take out comprehensive travel insurance with sufficient healthcare cover, including cover for existing medical conditions and any activities you plan to do. ABTA has advice on finding the right travel insurance .  

Using your mobile phone abroad

Rules around mobile data roaming have changed meaning you may face charges when using your phone in the EU, including for making calls, sending messages or using the internet. Check with your mobile phone provider for details.  

Driving in the EU

The exact requirements for driving in the EU will vary slightly from country to country, so do make sure you check the FCDO travel advice for the destination(s) you’ll be driving through for country specific advice. General rules to be aware of include:

UK car stickers – you will need a UK car sticker for your own car when driving in the EU. UK Blue Badges can be used in some EU countries, plus Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Parking concessions vary in each country so it is important you check the details for your destination. More information can be found here. Using a Blue Badge in the European Union - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Driving permits – if you have a paper licence or your driving licence was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man you may need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some EU countries and Norway. These are available from the Post Office. If you have a card driving license, you do not require an IDP to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.  

Taking your pet abroad

Your pet passport will no longer be valid to travel to the EU or Northern Ireland and you will now need an Animal Health Certificate. Your pet will also need to be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and dogs will need tapeworm treatment for travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta. If you wish to take your pet abroad you should speak to your vet at least one month in advance to make sure you have these in place before you are due to travel.  Full details can be found at gov.uk .  

Border control 

When going through passport control, you may not be able to use the EU or EEA passport lanes and may need to join the lane for ‘third country' or ‘non-EU’ visitors instead. Your passport will be stamped by the border officer on entry and exit to make sure you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays. Some EU countries are currently rolling out an e-gate system to replace some of the manual passport checks.  You may also need to show a return ticket and that you have enough money for your stay.   

Items you can take in and out of the EU

You can’t take any meat, milk or any products containing these items into the EU. There are exceptions for powdered baby milk, baby food, or pet food required for medical reasons. When returning from the EU to the UK, you can bring in a certain amount of goods without paying tax or duty. More details on this can be found at Gov.uk .   

Business travel requirements

There are a few extra requirements for business travellers visiting the countries in the EU as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. If you’re travelling on business, for less than 90 days in a 180-day period such as attending a business meeting, you’ll be able to travel without a visa or work permit. If you’re planning to stay for more than 180 days, you’ll need to check the entry requirements and rules for the country you’re visiting to find out if you need a visa or work permit.  If you’re travelling with goods to the EU, you’ll need to ensure you’ve got the right documentation to take them with you and if you intend to sell the goods abroad, you’ll need to make a customs declaration. You will also need to make a declaration if you take £10,000 or more in cash with you. Other extra requirements to check are whether your professional qualifications will be recognised in the EU, what to do if you’re earning money in the EU and providing indemnity insurance for employees. For further information, visit here . The UK Government also has advice for people travelling to the EU .

You might be interested in...

Passports and visas, abta member search, travel with confidence.

Travelling to Europe after Brexit: 11 things you need to know

Brexit-proof your holiday

If you've booked your holiday for 2019, or are about to book a holiday, you'll probably have a few questions about what will happen after 29 March 2019 when the UK leaves the European Union. 

Brexit negotiations are still ongoing, and we don't know if there will be a deal, or no deal, but the good news is, it's possible to Brexit-proof your holiday.

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Emma Coulthurst, travel expert from holiday price comparison site  TravelSupermarket , has shared everything you need to know about travelling to Europe after Brexit, including how to pick up a bargain.

1. Europe wants us to travel and package holiday prices are currently incredibly low

The EU does not want to make travel from Britain to Europe difficult, as Brits spend a fortune on holidays in Europe.

The EU has already offered a deal to allow flights to continue in the event of a no-deal Brexit and has recently stated that no aircraft will be grounded, even if no deal is reached. 

Also, when it comes to current compensation rights for delayed or cancelled flights, there is positive news; the UK Government has said that, irrespective of what happens with Brexit, these rights will be kept and not diminished.

Turismo de Portugal’s plan, in the situation of a no-deal Brexit, includes visa exemption (for trips of up to 90 days), dedicated passport control areas/lanes for UK flights, and the use of the Portuguese National Health Service. Other countries could follow suit.

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It's also interesting to note that where an economy relies on British tourism, those countries need to compete to get us. 

Summer 2019 package holidays are currently on sale for as much as 36-percent cheaper than if you were buying a summer holiday at this time last year.

2. Check your passport

With a no-deal Brexit, you will be considered a third party national after 29 March, and UK citizens will need to have at least six months left on their British passport. 

So, if you are planning on travelling to Europe from 30 March 2019 onwards and your passport is nearing its expiry date, you may wish to consider renewing now.

Also, as of September 10, 2018, any extra months you have on your passport from an early renewal will not count. Previously, you could carry up to nine months over. 

So you need to look at when your passport was issued, and add 10 years to get the expiry date. Do not use the actual expiry date printed on the passport.

Other than that, there are no changes for now when using your passport (which has the European Union wording on the front cover). In fact, all current passports are likely to remain in force until their expiry and only then would they be replaced with something without that wording.

You can check whether you need to renew your passport using the Government's Check-a-Passport tool .

3. Will I need a VISA after Brexit and will it be expensive?

British citizens will not need to apply for a visa after 29 March, and should be granted visa-free travel for a short stay, the European Council proposed.

A 'short stay' is defined as 90 days in any 180 days.

The European Commission has suggested even in a no-deal situation that British citizens will be able to travel visa-free if the UK offers the same deal to EU nationals. 

However, it is likely that a three-year pre-travel authorisation, called European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), will need to be purchased prior to travel. 

This will cost €7 (approximately £6.30). It is a form of light visa and is similar to the ESTA visa waiver scheme which the US currently has with the UK. 

Bear in mind that a deal scenario will see a 'transition period' until the end of 2020, meaning travel will continue as usual and not be subject to any changes until this date.

4. Travel insurance will be valid after Brexit, but ensure it's in-place on the day you book your holiday

If you are booking your 2019 holiday now, then take out travel insurance protection on the day you book. 

This isn’t specific Brexit advice; you should do this anyway as it covers you if anything goes wrong, for example, you have a serious illness and are unable to take the holiday. 

You may also want to consider including comprehensive cancellation cover, to cover you in the event of a strike or travel disruption.

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5. Will European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) still be valid post-Brexit?

Our future use of the card is still being renegotiated. Should Britain remain within the European Economic Area (EEA), (Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein are examples), having chosen to leave the EU, it is hoped we will be able to keep reciprocal healthcare with the other EEA/EU nations. 

The alternative would be to negotiate separate reciprocal healthcare agreements with individual countries, similar to those that the UK already has with Australia, New Zealand and Russia, which could take some time. 

In a recent report released by ABTA, published in partnership with Deloitte, the travel agent body suggested that if UK citizens were left in a position where their access to local healthcare abroad was restricted, travel insurance premiums could rise.

6. Will mobile phone companies start charging roaming fees again after Brexit?

A recent benefit of being a member of the European Union has been the elimination of roaming fees and call charges when travelling in other EU countries. For now, this will continue and if a deal is struck, it will extend through the transition period until the end of 2020. 

After this, mobile phone companies could review the surcharges and increase bills. 

However, if a deal is not reached, the government has promised to legislate to cap roaming charges.  

7. Will I need an international driving permit to drive in the EU after Brexit?

It is believed that the UK Government is planning to come to a new agreement that will allow business as usual. However, if this new agreement is rejected, Brits may need to purchase an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the EU. 

There are currently three IDP types available that permit drivers to get behind the wheel in different countries, costing £5.50 each. You get a permit by taking your driving licence, additional ID (e.g. a passport) and a signed passport photo to the Post Office.

Your car insurance will not automatically extend into Europe. You will need to check and request a “Green Card” from your insurer for an extra charge.

8. Choose your destination carefully

You can currently get a lot of lev and lira for your money from short-haul destinations such as Bulgaria or Turkey, and long-haul destinations such as South Africa and Mexico offer a really good return on your sterling.

You also need to consider the cost of the package holiday and how much things will cost you when you get there. 

In 2017, package holidays from the UK to Turkey tended to be at least 22% cheaper and as much as 64% cheaper than Spain. 

This year, in 2019, that has flipped and package holidays to Western Med destinations such as mainland Spain, Majorca and Portugal are, on the whole, cheaper than to Turkey. 

So, it is worth comparing prices before making your final decision. 

These are currently the five locations offering the most affordable short-haul package holidays from the UK this summer according to TravelSupermarket: The Algarve, Costa Brava, Crete, Corfu and the Costa del Sol.

Consider a holiday to a country with a lower cost of living.  Portugal, for example, tends to be a little bit cheaper for eating out than Spain. 

Food and drink prices are much lower in South East Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia.

Eastern Europe offers you a lot of choice for a city break and prices tend to be around a third or more lower than in the UK. Destinations to consider include Budapest Bucharest, Riga, Sofia, Prague or Tallinn, Krakow or Warsaw. 

The best times to visit these cities are now or in the autumn, when the summer throngs of tourists are nowhere to be found and package prices tend to be at their lowest.

Looking for some inspiration?

• Top holiday destinations for 2019: 7 must-visit countries
• 7 luxury holiday destinations for a truly relaxing break
• 8 sunny holiday destinations to beat the January blues

9. Package holidays offer more protection

The EU Package Travel Directive is very important for Brits who book package holidays within the EU. 

The legislation covers a whole range of issues, including if a package organiser goes bankrupt or does not fulfil the terms of the holiday contract. Once we leave the EU, we will still enjoy that protection. Plus, the UK has its own ATOL scheme, which operates to standards over and above the current EU directive.

However, you are not covered if you book a flight and accommodation separately.

A package gives you (ATOL) financial protection, which means that you are entitled to a refund or to be brought home if the travel company goes out of business. 

Legal protection under the EU Package Regulations means your travel company is responsible for making sure that you get the holiday you paid for. 

If something isn’t provided or isn’t as expected and the travel company or its suppliers are at fault, they will need to resolve the issue, whether it’s offering an alternative or providing a full or partial refund. 

When you turn up at your destination and the hotel isn’t as advertised or heavy snow prevents you from travelling, the provider you purchased the holiday from is responsible for looking after you, whether that’s fixing the problem or rearranging your holiday.

10. Consider an all-inclusive holiday to lock in the price

Another way to beat exchange rate currencies is to consider an all-inclusive holiday. This way, you avoid poor exchange rates and don’t have to worry about spending lots of extra money on food and drink.

11. Never get your holiday money at the airport

Don’t exchange money in airports where rates are at their least competitive. Compare online to get the best rates; find the place where you have to hand over as little sterling in exchange as possible. 

This can ensure you get a lot more for your holiday money. We ran a quick comparison and found we could save £33 by buying €1,000 with the best-buy company versus the most expensive – not bad for two minutes spent online. 

Many credit and debit cards carry a 2.99% transaction fee. That’s an extra £2.99 to pay for every £100 you spend. Debit cards in particular tend to cost you more than credit cards and the costs are hidden – you don’t see them until they hit your statement. 

However, the costs don’t stop there. Every bank also has to convert the charge from the currency you are buying into sterling. And the vast majority take this opportunity to take a little more for themselves. 

It’s called the currency loading fee which can add as much as 3% to the cost. So you could actually find you’re paying as much as 6% extra for the privilege of using your card overseas. 

And forget trying to use your card in an ATM. Debit and credit card issuers are ready to impose an ATM charge of up to 5% or a minimum of £5 per withdrawal and then impose interest on top too.

I’d highly recommend getting a credit card specifically for overseas’ use which you just use when you go abroad; with the right card, you will get a better exchange rate on this than you can get for currency and there are no transaction fees. Obviously, always make sure you spend within your means and pay it off on time.

If you are paying by card overseas and you are offered the chance to pay in pounds, refuse and pay in the local currency. Paying in sterling will cost you more as the retailer may take an extra cut.

• Thanks to TravelSupermarket for providing this advice

As the Style and Travel Editor at T3, Spencer covers everything from clothes to cars and watches to hotels. Everything that's cool, stylish, and interesting, basically. He's been a part of T3 for over seven years, and in that time covered every industry event known to man, from CES and MWC to the Geneva Motorshow and Baselworld. When he's driving up and down the country in search of the greatest driving roads, he can be found messing around on an electric scooter, playing with luxury watches, or testing the latest fragrances.

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Airline blames ‘very confusing’ post-Brexit passport rules as passenger turned away from two flights

Exclusive: ‘it was devastating missing out on seeing my friends who live abroad’ says passenger turned away twice in one day at birmingham airport, article bookmarked.

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Three and a half years after post-Brexit passport rules took effect, Dutch airline KLM says it is still unsure what they actually mean.

The carrier – one of Europe ’s top airlines – insists the rules are “very confusing and interpreted differently depending on who we speak to”.

The revelation came after KLM turned away a passenger from two Birmingham- Amsterdam flights on the same day, even though she had a valid passport.

Jessica Zielinski, 30, arrived in good time for a 6am flight to Amsterdam on 24 November 2022. She was due to return three days later and had a passport valid for travel to anywhere in the European Union up to 18 December 2022.

Staff working for KLM denied her boarding, claiming her passport had “expired” a week earlier – nine years and nine months after issue.

This was incorrect. So Ms Zielinski, an engineer from Leamington Spa, spent the day trying to persuade the Dutch airline’s Amsterdam HQ to let her travel.

At one point, KLM asked her for an additional £200 to allow her on the evening flight.

When she was eventually given a new ticket and tried to check in for the later Amsterdam flight, she was turned away again.

KLM has refused any compensation for her ruined long weekend in the Dutch capital.

A spokesperson for the Amsterdam-based carrier said: “KLM Royal Dutch Airlines are not immigration specialists and rely on information from immigration liaison officers.

“It appears that this particular entry requirement rule into the EU is very confusing and interpreted differently depending on who we speak to.”

All other major carriers and the UK government have long accepted the rules as confirmed to The Independent by the European Commission :

• On the day of outbound travel to the EU, a British passport must not be more than 10 years old
• On the intended day of return, the passport must have at least three months remaining before the expiry date

Ms Zielinski, whose passport complied with both conditions, told The Independent : “I’m really upset, even 18 months later. It felt like a huge waste of finances and expenditure on this trip, and it was devastating missing out on seeing my friends who live abroad.

“But mostly, it had a knock to my confidence in flying and I have chosen to not take a holiday abroad since because of the way I was treated.”

The Dutch airline spokesperson said: “KLM will again seek advice from the immigration authorities.”

Having been wrongly denied boarding for two flights on the same day, Ms Zielinski appears entitled to £440 in compensation, together with a full refund plus lost costs incurred after KLM prevented her from boarding.

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British holidaymakers face EU travel chaos as dozens of airports 'unprepared' for post-Brexit fingerprint rules

3 July 2024, 15:06

By Jenny Medlicott

British holidaymakers could face travel chaos this summer due to airports being underprepared for post-Brexit fingerprint rules, airline bosses have warned.

Listen to this article

Smaller airports across the EU have so far failed to install fingerprint technology that is due to be activated this October under the new European Entry/Exit System (EES), senior industry bosses have warned.

Under the EES, all British nationals travelling to the EU will have to have their biometric data taken upon crossing the border for the first time.

They will need to have their fingerprints scanned and a photograph taken to register them on the database - the data will then be stored for three years.

It is intended to replace the scanning and stamping of passports that has been mandatory for most Brits since Brexit.

The new rules will only apply to non-EU nationals.

Before Brexit, the majority of affected non-EU travellers would have passed through major hub airports, which have already brought in the required technology.

But British tourists often land in regional airports when travelling to the EU - and it is these smaller airports that airline bosses fear are unprepared for the change in rules.

This means British tourists landing in smaller airports could face lengthy delays unless the issue is remedied quickly, the Telegraph reports.

The airline industry’s global trade body warned that “urgent and coordinated” action is required, and the prospect of delaying the EES has also been raised.

Dover Port said it had decided to stop hiring staff for the project amid uncertainty over the timeline.

Read more: New cars to be fitted with automatic speed limiters across Europe from this week - can they be turned off?

Read more: Keir Starmer calls on Europe to look again at new passport rules being introduced for EU travel

Port of Dover, Folkestone Eurotunnel terminal and London St Pancras station will carry out the checks before the cross-Channel journeys.

The Port of Dover is creating a registration zone in the ferry holding area where cars will queue for up to 90 minutes before their travel slot to capture their data.

The new staff will be needed to hand tablets to those in the cars and advise them on their use.

Tim Reardon, Dover’s head of EU exit, said: “We’re not expecting to get confirmation of the timetable until mid-August, which is one of the things that raises eyebrows.

“It doesn’t give us much time for hiring, but then we don’t want to commit funding and find that the whole thing is delayed for a year. Really we’re hoping it all goes ahead now, but the airports and road crossings have a tremendous amount of work to do.”

Mr Reardon said that the French technology is still being “finessed and refined”.

Meanwhile, Rafael Schvartzman, the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s regional head for Europe, called for a transition period to try and ‘alleviate the impact of EES’ if queues become too big.

He added: “The industry is concerned there are critical unresolved items which will require urgent and coordinated action from both the EU and member states prior to its implementation.”

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Visiting the UK as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

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• do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person
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• sell directly to the public or provide goods and services

Read more about visiting the UK on a business trip and check whether you need to apply for a visa to carry out your intended activities.

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• above the total value of £1,500 into Great Britain
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• weigh above 1,000 kilograms

Check the rules on merchandise in baggage .

Professional qualifications

Find out how to get your EU , EEA or Swiss qualification recognised in the UK .

School travellers entering the UK

Schools in france.

You can visit the UK using the France- UK school trip travel information form .

This allows:

• children who are EU , EEA or Swiss citizens to enter with their national identity card instead of a passport
• children who are citizens of other countries to enter without a visa, even if they would normally need one to visit the UK

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All schoolchildren need a passport to visit the UK .

Children who are citizens of other countries may also need a visa - check if you need a UK visa .

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Read the updated guidance on:

• how you bring horses to and from the UK
• how you bring endangered plants, animals or their products to and from the UK

Bringing your pet to and from the UK

Find out about pet travel to Europe .

Bringing goods into the UK

Some rules have changed when you bring goods for your own use from the EU to the UK . Find out more about bringing goods into the UK .

Controls on cash

Individuals travelling from the EU to the UK with £10,000 or more in cash will need to make a declaration. Find out about taking cash in and out of the UK .

Healthcare in the UK

EEA and Swiss citizens visiting the UK should check the guidance on healthcare for the latest information on access to NHS healthcare.

Driving in the UK

If you have a non- uk licence.

Visitors with a non- UK driving licence can drive in the UK . You do not need an international driving permit ( IDP ).

If your vehicle is not insured in the UK

If you have vehicle insurance issued in the EU , Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland, you should carry an insurance green card or other valid proof of insurance.

To be valid, other proof of insurance must be a document issued by the vehicle insurance provider which includes the:

• name of the insurance provider
• number plate or other identifying particulars of the vehicle
• period of insurance cover

Contact your vehicle insurance provider before you travel.

If your vehicle is insured in a country outside the EU , Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland, what you’ll need to do will depend on if your country is a member of the green card system .

If your country is a member, you will need to carry a green card.

If your country is not a member, your vehicle will need UK vehicle insurance .

Using your mobile phone in the UK

How much you pay for calls, texts and mobile data in the UK and the EU will depend on your operator. Please check before you travel.

Updated the section on school travellers with information on the France-UK school trip travel information form.

Updated 'School travellers entering the UK' as the List of Travellers scheme is no longer in operation.

Updated to remove information about travelling to England during coronavirus (COVID-19).

Updated information on use of ID cards to enter the UK if you're an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen.

Updated information for Irish citizens travelling to the UK from Ireland or the Crown Dependencies.

Those with an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen national ID card who have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme will be able to use it to enter the UK whilst they wait for the decision on their application.

Added information for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021 but not yet received a decision. Added guidance for Gibraltar identity card holders. Added guidance for Irish citizens.

First published.

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Rail fares, small boats and Brexit - Green and Reform claims tested

T he co-leader of the Green Party Adrian Ramsay and Reform UK’s leader Nigel Farage faced audience questions on Friday evening in a Question Time Leaders’ special programme. From small boats, to leaky homes and Brexit - we examined some of their answers.

Green Party’s Adrian Ramsay: Does the UK have some of the most expensive train tickets in Europe?

Calling for greater investment in public transport, Mr Ramsay said: “We have some of the most expensive rail prices in Europe.”

Comparing train fares across countries is difficult because prices differ depending on the distance travelled, when the journey is taken and how far in advance tickets are bought.

A European Commission report did try to compare fares across Europe in 2016. It found the UK had the most expensive inter-city fares for peak single tickets, the fourth most expensive regional, peak, single fares bought on the day of travel and the third most expensive if bought a week or a month in advance.

For off-peak travel, UK regional return fares were close to the average for Europe.

Since 2016, rail fares in the UK have increased by 35% - the fourth highest increase in Europe , after Lithuania (63%), Sweden (40%), and Poland (36%). The EU-average increase was 12%.

By Gerry Georgieva

Reform UK’s Nigel Farage: Could migrants in small boats be returned to France?

Answering a question about migrants coming to the UK in small boats, Mr Farage said: “We’ll pick them up in the Channel and take them back” to France.

Returning migrants to France is one of his party's "core pledges" to voters.

However, it is not clear how it would be able to do this under international law.

International maritime laws do allow a state to pick people up at sea if they are “in danger of being lost” but they do not allow them to be taken to another state without that country agreeing.

BBC Verify spoke to two legal experts.

James M Turner KC, a shipping lawyer at Quadrant Chambers, told us: "The French would have to grant express permission for UK vessels to carry rescued people through their territorial waters and to leave them ashore in France."

While Ainhoa Campàs Velasco, a maritime law expert from the University of Southampton, said migrants could not be returned to French shores “without prior agreement with France".

There is no such agreement between the UK and France.

The two countries agreed a joint action plan in 2019 which does provide for co-operation, but it does not allow one country to bring people rescued in the English Channel to the other country's ports.

Mr Farage also said in his answer that, if necessary, he would use the Royal Marines.

By Tamara Kovacevic

Green Party’s Adrian Ramsay: Does the UK have the leakiest homes in Europe?

Talking about people’s high energy bills, Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay pointed to the UK having the “leakiest homes in Europe and we haven't insulated them”.

It is true that UK homes typically lose heat more quickly than their European neighbours - in some cases up to three times as fast .

That increases the energy needed to maintain comfortable room temperatures in winter, meaning higher energy bills and more greenhouse gas emissions.

Part of the reason is the UK’s housing stock, which is among the oldest in Europe.

Another reason is poor rates of insulation fitting. These fell sharply in England in the second-half of the 2010s after former PM David Cameron cut funding for green schemes .

Last year, the government introduced the Great British Insulation Scheme in England, Scotland and Wales , to help cover the cost of better insulation in about 300,000 of the poorest-performing homes.

However, in September, Rishi Sunak scrapped regulations that would have required landlords to meet minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes.

This move “will lead to higher household energy bills”, the independent Climate Change Committee said .

By Mark Poynting

Reform UK’s Nigel Farage: Is the UK the fourth biggest exporter after Brexit?

Mr Farage was asked about the UK leaving the European Union and said: “We've gone from the day we voted Brexit to now, from being the world's seventh biggest exporter to the world's fourth biggest exporter.”

This is a claim that BBC Radio 4’s More or Less has been looking into .

The key point is that the UK has only reached fourth place if you include gold, and the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which compiles the trade figures, warns precious metals “can be large and highly volatile, distorting underlying trends in goods exports and imports” .

Emily Fry, from the Resolution Foundation think tank, has explained that this gold is mostly the sort that sits in vaults and is traded without necessarily moving it between countries.

She has pointed out that once you exclude gold, the UK drops to being the sixth biggest exporter.

By Anthony Reuben, BBC Verify

Britain and Europe, eight years after Brexit vote: Could UK election reset ties with EU?

Issued on: 28/06/2024 - 17:22

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Play - 12:07

It's been almost exactly eight years since British voters decided to leave the European Union, although that decision did not become active until December 2020. Much of this last decade has been marked by a turbulent relationship between the UK's ruling Conservatives and the EU. The opposition Labour Party looks poised to win back power in the July 4 election, but are pro-Europeans' hopes of a much closer relationship misplaced? Our guests argue that Labour leader Keir Starmer’s room for manoeuvre would be very limited if he sticks with the current UK-EU agreement.

Programme produced by Sophie Samaille, Isabelle Romero, Elitsa Gadeva and Anaïs Boucher

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Election Latest

Election 2024 manifestos: parties’ pledges on eu relations, all of their promises on small boats, immigration for work or study, rejoining the eu, eu travel, freedom of movement, trade with the eu and trade outside the eu.

Small boats

Conservatives.

A “regular rhythm” of flights deporting Channel asylum seekers to Rwanda in a “relentless, continual” process, starting in July. The Tories would override any judgments blocking flights by the European Court of Human Rights, crack down on people smugglers and work to reform international laws “to make them fit for an age of mass migration”.

Labour would scrap the Rwanda “gimmick” and create a Border Security Command with hundreds of investigators, intelligence and cross-border police officers with counter-terror style powers to crack down on people-smuggling gangs. It would also agree a security deal with the EU to access real-time intelligence and employ additional asylum caseworkers to clear the backlog.

Liberal Democrats

The Lib Dems would scrap the Rwanda scheme and the Illegal Migration Act and invest in officers and technology to tackle people smuggling and trafficking, as well as ensuring legal routes for refugees to stop Channel crossings and creating a unit to clear the asylum backlog. They would partially lift the ban on asylum seekers working and would work with Europol to stop the smuggling gangs.

Reform would leave the European Court on Human Rights and allow no Channel asylum seekers to be resettled in the UK. It would create a Whitehall department for immigration, pick up small boat crossers and take them back to France and ensure rapid, offshore processing of asylum seekers arriving by irregular routes, and disallow legal aid for non-citizens.

The Greens want safe routes to allow refugees to arrive in the country of their choice to make their case for asylum without having to risk their lives. The Green Party would create a fast and fair process to assess asylum applications and allow asylum seekers to work while their application is decided.

The SNP would scrap the Rwanda scheme and urge the UK government to grant asylum seekers the right to work and to fundamentally change their approach to housing them, ensuring accommodation is safe, suitable and dignified.

Plaid opposes the Rwanda scheme, wants a family reunification scheme for people caught up in the Gaza conflict and safe routes for refugees, with processing in France or in British embassies or consulates abroad for asylum seekers. It would push for devolved powers for Wales to become a Nation of Sanctuary.

Stopping small boats will be the most pressing problem for the next government. Only the Tories will keep the Rwanda scheme, but there is consensus on the need to crack down on people smugglers.

Immigration for work or study

The Conservatives want to bring immigration down to “sustainable” levels, with a new binding legal cap on migration to ensure numbers keep falling over the next five years. They want MPs to have an annual vote on the cap and to raise the skilled worker visa income threshold and the family visa income requirement automatically in line with inflation to ensure they do not undercut UK workers.

Labour wants to reduce net migration to the UK. It wants to reform the points-based immigration so it is “fair and properly managed” with “appropriate” visa restrictions and linking immigration to skills policy and to ban employers who flout the law from hiring from abroad. It wants to strengthen Migration Advisory Committee and to implement workforce training plans for sectors such as health, social care and construction.

The Lib Dems want to end the “hostile environment” for immigrants and transfer policymaking on work visas and overseas students out of the Home Office and into other departments. They want to exempt NHS and care staff from immigration skills charge and reverse ban on care workers bringing family members as well as reverse Tory increases to income thresholds on family visas.

Reform want a freeze on “non-essential” immigration, with “essential skills”, mainly around health, the only exception. Immediate deportation for foreign criminals. They want a ban on all international students bringing family and a limit of five-year residency to claim benefits in the UK. The party wants to see national insurance hiked to 20 per cent for foreign workers to incentivise employees to hire British citizens.

The Green Party wants to end minimum income requirements for all visas and abolish 10-year route to settlement. It wants to give visa-holding residents the right to vote in elections and referenda and to dismantle the Home Office and create a Department of Migration alongside a Department of Justice. It wants to only charge visa application fees at cost and to allow students to bring family members.

The SNP wants a bespoke immigration scheme for Scotland, a rural visa pilot scheme to ease labour shortages and to expand shortage occupation lists and review immigration rules.

Plaid opposes plans to increase income thresholds for skilled worker and family visas, wants to retain the graduate visa route and more powers for Wales over migration.

Balancing the need for foreign workers to plug gaps in the UK workforce with keeping migration down will be a key challenge for the new government.

Rejoining EU

The party talks about seizing the “benefits of Brexit”, making clear it is not planning to take the UK back into the EU. Promises to repeal or reform more than half of all EU laws by July 2026.

Labour wants the UK to stay outside of the EU, with no return to the single market, customs union or free movement of people, while resetting the relationship with Brussels and deepening ties. The party does not want to “reopen the divisions of the past” and there is no mention of the second referendum Sir Keir Starmer once backed.

The Lib Dems want unilateral moves to rebuild relationship with the EU, agreeing partnerships and associations with European agencies, such as the European Aviation Safety Agency and Erasmus Plus student exchange programme. In the medium term, the party wants to rejoin the single market, ahead of a long-term objective to rejoin the EU.

Reform wants to scrap 6,700 retained EU laws with immediate effect, abolish the Windsor Framework on Northern Ireland, prepare for renegotiation on Boris Johnson’s Trade and Cooperation Agreement with Brussels.

The Green Party wants to rejoin the EU as soon as the domestic situation is favourable and member states are willing to readmit the UK. It also wants to rejoin the customs union as a first step, a “speedy return” to free movement for EU and UK citizens and to rejoin Erasmus.

The SNP wants an independent Scotland to rejoin the EU, re-enter the single market and restore free movement for European and UK citizens.

Plaid would re-enter the European single market and customs union at the earliest opportunity to reduce overheads and administrative costs on Welsh businesses. It also would rejoin the EU at an appropriate point in time.

Eight years after the referendum and four and a half years after Brexit, the issue is still divisive and relations with Europe remain unresolved.

The Conservative Party says it is “working closely with the EU” to ensure the new Entry-Exit System (EES), which requires Britons to register biometric information before entering the EU, doesn’t lead to long delays at the border. The party has brought in eVisas as part of its plan to make all visas digital by 2025.

Labour has said it will ask the EU to review new passport rules before changes are brought in from October requiring Britons to submit biometric information before entering the bloc, which is expected to cause border delays.

The Liberal Democrats have no specific policies in their manifesto on passport rules or e-gates, but have pledged a long-term goal of giving Britons freedom of movement in the EU.

Reform UK has no specific policies in its manifesto on passport rules, e-gates or EU travel.

The Green Party wants to see the UK rejoin the EU when the political situation allows, which would include free movement of people in the bloc. The manifesto has no specific policies on existing travel arrangements, passport rules or e-gates.

The SNP wants an independent Scotland to rejoin the EU to ensure visa-free travel in the bloc. The party has criticised the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES), but has no specific policies relating to border or travel issues.

Plaid Cymru has a long-term goal to rejoin the EU, but in the interim wants Wales to be involved in any decisions relating to co-operation with the EU, including on border policy. The party has no specific policies relating to EU travel, passport issues or e-gates in its manifesto.

Labour is the only party that has said it will look again at the EES. A return to freedom of movement with the EU is wanted by the Lib Dems, Greens, SNP and Plaid.

Freedom of movement

The Conservatives withdrew the UK from the Erasmus scheme that allowed students to study in the EU but have rejoined Horizon – the bloc’s scientific research scheme allowing researchers to collaborate more freely. It has also promised to introduce a cap on legal migration and a review of the shortage occupation scheme, which will also affect EU migrants.

Labour wants to negotiate new access for touring artists in the EU and mutual recognition of professional qualifications for financial workers. The party has ruled out a new freedom of movement agreement with the EU and rejoining the Erasmus scheme.

The Lib Dems have promised to negotiate an Erasmus Plus scheme allowing under-35s to live, study and work in the EU despite Brexit and new travel visas for touring artists.

Reform UK wants to freeze all non-essential immigration with limited exceptions for some shortage occupations such as healthcare workers. The party also wants to review the UK’s membership of Horizon because of the scheme’s links to the EU’s European Defence Fund.

The Green Party wants the UK to rejoin the Erasmus programme, ensure visa-free travel for touring artists and remove salary restrictions on family visas.

The SNP wants Scotland to join the Erasmus and Creative Europe, and create a rural visas scheme to encourage immigration to the country.

Plaid Cymru wants the UK to rejoin the Erasmus and Creative Europe programmes and give Wales the powers to manage its own visa schemes.

All parties except Labour, the Conservatives and Reform support the UK rejoining a version of the Erasmus scheme, while only Reform wants the country to withdraw from Horizon.

Trade with the EU

The Conservatives will build on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), but have ruled out agreeing to anything in the forthcoming review of the TCA that would “infringe our legal sovereignty or involve submission to the [European Union Court of Justice] or dynamic alignment”. It will take a “tough approach” to ensure the EU is not “discriminating against” UK exporters.

The party promises to improve the trade and investment relationship with the EU by “tearing down unnecessary barriers to trade”. It says it will seek to negotiate a veterinary agreement with Brussels to end border checks and lower the cost of food imports. It will look to secure agreement on music visas and secure mutual agreement on professional qualifications.

The Lib Dems say they will repair the “damage” caused by the Conservatives to UK trade with the EU and, once “ties of trust and friendship” are renewed, will seek to join the single market. This will then pave the way for the country to rejoin the EU as a member state, they say, which remains the party’s “longer-term objective”.

Reform promises to legislate to scrap any remaining EU regulations on the UK statute, claiming that there remain 6,700 EU laws in operation in the UK. The party will abandon the Windsor Framework, which it says is worse than the Northern Ireland Protocol. It also states it will prepare to renegotiate the TCA, claiming the so-called EU “level playing field” is “holding us back”.

The party says it will request to join the customs union as a first step towards full membership of the European Union, and as a means to “resolving any of the worst problems resulting from Brexit”.

The SNP says it will prioritise Scotland’s “unique fishing needs”. It claims the post-Brexit deal with the EU has left a £281m shortfall in quota for the fishing industry, leaving the Scottish salmon export market in peril. It wants to see better engagement for Scotland and its fishing industry in the review of the TCA. It says its long-term aim is to rejoin the EU as an independent state.

The party advocates for the UK to re-enter the single market and customs union “at the earliest opportunity” in order to lower administrative costs and overheads on Welsh businesses. This move will boost trade with other European countries, it says, “including the Republic of Ireland, assisting our Welsh ports at Holyhead and Fishguard among others”.

Improving trade with EU is a goal of all the parties but for different reasons. The Tories and Reform are most stringent about not compromising sovereignty for better trade. Others are more pro-EU ties.

Trade outside EU

The Tory manifesto trumpets the fact that the Government has struck deals with 73 countries already and names India, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Israel and Switzerland as other partners with which it would like to reach an agreement in the near term. The Tories will also aim for a free-trade agreement with the US, having reached mini-deals with eight states.

Staying outside the European customs union, Labour proposes to seek “targeted trade agreements aligned with our industrial strategy and economic strengths”. The party specifically wants to strike a full trade agreement with India and co-operate more with countries in the Gulf and Africa.

In the long-term, the Lib Dem ambition to grow closer to the EU could stop Britain having an independent trade policy. But in the short-term, the party proposes giving Parliament a bigger role in determining trade policy, with the power of veto. Ministers should prioritise the interests of smaller firms and protect human rights and the environment during talks.

Despite its strong support for Brexit, Reform has had little to say about the free trade agreements with the rest of the world that leaving the EU has made possible. Richard Tice, the party’s chairman, has warned against deals with countries such as India if they involve trading looser migration laws for greater access to overseas markets.

The party says it would “end unfair trade deals” that risk undercutting the profits of British farmers by allowing cheaper food to be imported into the UK. It is calling for a greater emphasis on protecting workers’ rights in free trade agreements.

The SNP is heavily in favour of rejoining the EU, which would prevent any future bilateral trade deals. The SNP prioritises a piece of legislation that would “stop any UK government undermining the principles and protections of the NHS as part of any future trade deals”.

Plaid’s preferred outcome of returning to the single market and customs union would return the UK’s trade policy to an EU-wide basis. Short of that happening, the party calls for the Welsh Senedd to have “a veto over future trade deals that undermine Welsh agricultural communities” and claims that post-Brexit trade agreements have harmed farmers in Wales.

While trade deals with other countries, especially India, are considered desirable to boost UK businesses, the smaller parties express concerns over migration and the impact on UK jobs, wages and the NHS.

Election 2024 The general election campaign is almost at an end as polling day looms on 4 July. Rishi Sunak , Sir Keir Starmer and other party leaders have battled to win votes over six weeks, and i ‘s election live blog has covered it from the first moment. Every party’s manifesto is out, with Tories , Green Party , Labour , Liberal Democrats and Reform UK sharing why they should get your vote. Read i ‘s manifesto comparison on each of the main party’s pledges on issues such as NHS, education , defence , devolution , tax, spending , HS2 and housing . You can read the polls , check which constituencies could be deciders , ensure you’re informed about who to vote for , and make sure you’re weather-ready before you head to your polling station on Thursday.

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Election latest: Countdown begins to polls opening

Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm. Scroll down to read how to follow Sky's election night coverage.

Thursday 4 July 2024 06:00, UK

• General Election 2024

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• Countdown is on until polls open in the general election
• Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm
• How to watch election night coverage on Sky News

The fastest results, the sharpest analysis and an award-winning line up - as the general election unfolds, Sky News will bring you the full story, first.

Whether you want to settle down in front of the TV, stay in the know on the move, or keep updated from work, we'll have live coverage across our platforms to bring you everything as soon as it happens.

We'll have expert commentary and analysis to help you digest key developments, kicking off with the exit poll and running through the weekend.

What's happening - and when?

Polls are open from 7am until 10pm - and during that time, you won't see any coverage of politics or policy due to strict reporting restrictions.

But Sky News will still be bringing you colourful snapshots of polling day, from leaders casting their ballots to the important business of dogs at polling stations, on TV and right here in the Politics Hub .

9pm Thursday into Friday

Chief presenter Kay Burley will anchor Election Night Live, the overnight results programme, from a 360-degree immersive studio normally used by Sky Sports shows like Monday Night Football, alongside our expert team.

As soon as the polls close at 10pm, Sky News will bring you the exit poll - your first insight into how the general election results could play out.

From 7am on the morning after the nationwide voting, lead politics presenter Sophy Ridge, host of Sky's Politics Hub programme, will be live from Westminster bringing viewers every development as the election result is absorbed and plans for the next government are made.

Ridge will be joined by deputy political editor Sam Coates and Sky News contributor Adam Boulton across what will be a historic day, as the nation awaits the next prime minister.

How to watch

The Politics Hub

This live blog will feature the latest results, swift and in-depth analysis, as well as reactions to the results across the country and much more - so bookmark this page !

Shortly after the polls close we'll have a seat-by-seat lookup to let you see the forecast result in your constituency and through the night we'll have a live, interactive results service to give you the big picture as well as the result where you live.

Watch on TV for FREE : Freeview 233, Sky 501, Sky Showcase, Virgin 603, and BT 313.

Streams and social : Watch Sky News live here , and on YouTube .

We will also be posting the latest videos and stories on TikTok , X , Instagram , Facebook and WhatsApp .

Listen: Listen to Sky News on TuneIn , and here .

This is the first general election in which all voters will need to provide ID in order to cast a ballot.

There are 22 different types of ID you can use. For people without photo ID, Voter Authority Certificates are available - but you must have applied by 26 June.

Here's everything you need to know.

What ID can eligible voters use to vote in elections?

• Most forms of existing photo ID will be accepted, including:
• UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
• driving licence issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
• UK passport
• passport issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or a Commonwealth country
• PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• biometric residence permit (BRP)
• Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
• national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein
• Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
• Voter Authority Certificate
• Anonymous Elector's Document

The following travel passes will also be accepted:

• older person's bus pass
• disabled person's bus pass
• Oyster 60+ card
• Freedom Pass
• Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)
• 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Disabled Person's Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass

Voters can still use photo ID that is out of date, as long as it still looks like them and the name is the same one used to register to vote.

What ID do you need if you're voting as someone's proxy?

You'll need to take your own ID if you're voting on someone else's behalf. You do not need to take theirs.

The exit poll is the first big moment of the night - the moment millions tune in for a first indication of the eventual result of the general election.

Commissioned by the broadcasters - Sky News, the BBC and ITV News - the fieldwork is carried out by Ipsos UK who will have interviewers at 133 polling stations around the country this year.

People who have just voted will be asked to privately fill in a replica ballot paper and place it into a ballot box as they leave their local community centre, church hall or station.

Researchers can only deploy to a fraction of the total constituencies in England, Scotland and Wales, so locations are chosen to best reflect the demographics of the country with an urban and rural spread.

However, many of the locations will be in marginal seats, where the swing between the main parties will be tracked.

The same polling stations are targeted year after year so the swing from the last election's exit poll, along with other data at constituency level, can be analysed by those crunching the numbers.

The data collected at the polling stations is sent back by interviewers to Ipsos UK at several stages throughout the day.

It's processed there and sent via a secure data pipeline to the broadcasters' statisticians and political scientists who are locked down in a secret location in the capital.

Electoral rules mean that no polling can be reported while people are voting - Sky News and the other broadcasters will cover it in full from 10pm.

Election coverage begins on Sky News from 9pm, and it is free, wherever you get your news. Here is how to watch and follow live .

Over the next few days, both here in the Politics Hub and on TV, you will hear plenty of different terms - some of which you may have heard before, some not.

So here is some of the jargon you might read and hear in our coverage of the next couple of days…

Battleground

This refers to a seat which one - or more - political parties have earmarked as a potential loss or gain. Typically, these areas will see a significant amount of campaigning in the run-up to polling day. They tend to be marginal seats, or those where MPs have resigned.

This is a term used to describe constituencies largely in southern England which have historically supported the Conservative Party.

When two or more parties form a government together because no one political party has the majority of seats in parliament.

Confidence and supply

This is not quite the same as a coalition, but still requires a party to strike a deal with another to form a government. Confidence deals, according to the Institute of Government, "typically make clear that the support party or parties must back the government on explicit confidence votes, and votes on budgets and supply (government spending). In return, the support parties are given government support for specific policy priorities."

Constituency

This is a geographical area where voters elect a single MP to represent them in the House of Commons. At present, there are 650 parliamentary constituencies in the UK.

Put simply, this is a poll of voters taken immediately after they have left polling stations. It asks which way they voted, and can give a good indication of the result in certain areas. It is published at 10pm on voting day when the polls close, and gives an indication of how the results could go.

First past the post

This is the electoral system used for the selection of MPs in the House of Commons. Voters select a single candidate for their constituency, and the person with the most votes wins.

Hung parliament

This is when a general election ends without a single political party having the majority of seats in the House of Commons. This situation can lead to a coalition or confidence and supply agreement - as explained above.

The easiest way for a political party to form a government is to win the majority of seats in parliament. There are 650 MPs in the Commons. Therefore, to have an overall majority, a party must win over half of these seats - at least 326.

This is a public declaration of policy published by a political party ahead of a general election.

This is a constituency seat which is won by only a small margin, usually 10% or under. This means that only a small change in voter habit could see a party lose the seat - and this could be critical. Marginal seats are viewed as the "battleground" of an election.

Minority government

In a minority government, the governing party has the most seats - but still less than half the total. In the UK, this would mean the party has less than 326 seats in the House of Commons.

This is a term used to describe constituencies largely in the north of England and in the Midlands which have historically supported the Labour Party.

The swing is the percentage change in the vote share from one party to the other. It indicates the scale of the change between two parties.

Swing voter

A swing voter is a person who does not have a strong political affiliation, and could give their vote to any number of parties on polling day. These voters can be critical to the outcome of an election, particularly in marginal seats.

Tactical voting

This is when a voter chooses a candidate they would not normally support, in a bid to prevent another candidate from winning.

But Sky News will still be bringing you colourful snapshots of polling day, from leaders casting their ballots to the important business of dogs at polling stations, on TV and right here in the  Politics Hub .

This live blog will feature the latest results, swift and in-depth analysis, as well as reactions to the results across the country and much more - so  bookmark this page !

Streams and social : Watch Sky News live  here , and on  YouTube .

We will also be posting the latest videos and stories on  TikTok ,  X ,  Instagram ,  Facebook  and  WhatsApp .

Listen: Listen to Sky News on  TuneIn , and  here .

Election coverage begins on Sky News from 9pm, and it is free, wherever you get your news.  Here is how to watch and follow live .

After weeks of campaigning, polls are due to open very soon and voters across the nation will have their say.

Here are the key timings of the day:

7am Thursday : Polls will open across the United Kingdom.

9pm : Sky News’ Election Night Live programme starts ( click here for details on how to watch ).

10pm : Polls will close and counting will begin.

10pm : Broadcasters’ exit poll will be published, giving the first indication of the election.

Around 11.30pm : First seats will be declared.

Around 4.30am Friday : We will likely know for certain who will form the next government.

7am : Sophy Ridge and Sam Coates broadcast the fallout from the election live on Sky News.

Thank you for joining us in the Politics Hub for live coverage of the final day of the general election campaign.

It was back on a rainy Wednesday 22 May in Westminster that Rishi Sunak walked out onto Downing Street to announce the date of the general election, and the date that voters would decide the future of the country.

Tomorrow is that day - polls will open at 7am, close at 10pm.

You will see almost no political coverage from Sky News tomorrow - strict rules prevent us from any coverage that could impact the way people vote.

But we will have coverage here in the Politics Hub of the party leaders casting their ballots - and of dogs at polling stations, of course!

At 9pm tomorrow , chief presenter Kay Burley will anchor Election Night Live, the overnight results programme, from a 360-degree immersive studio normally used by Sky Sports shows like Monday Night Football, alongside our expert team.

And as soon as the polls close at 10pm , Sky News will bring you the exit poll - your first insight into how the general election results could play out, and live coverage of the results throughout the night.

So do join us tomorrow for what is set to be a historic general election - and don't forget to vote (and bring ID!).

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