(CNN) – After four years of confusion, it finally happened.
The United Kingdom officially broke ties with the European Union last night, as the Brexit transition period ended at 11 pm UK time.
Brexit has not been an easy road politically, and the UK – which voted 52-48 to leave the EU in 2016 – is entering the new year more divided than ever.
But what does this mean for travel?
It all depends on whether your passport is from the UK, the EU or elsewhere – and what currency zone you are coming from.
For some travelers, tank money means that a trip to the UK is very attractive.
But for UK and EU citizens, things are going to change.
Can UK citizens travel to Europe now?
Long term, yes. Short term – possibly, or probably not. Most EU countries have borders currently closed to citizens outside the bloc, due to Covid-19. Now that the United Kingdom has “third country” status, citizens have lost the right to travel freely in the EU. Technically, there is no difference now between a UK citizen who wants to visit France and an American citizen – who, of course, has been banned since March – who hopes to do the same.
However, as EU states remain sovereign nations, each country has control over its own borders and can make an exception for UK citizens if they wish. It may take some time to see how this plays out, as arrivals from the UK are currently banned from most of Europe, thanks to the new variant of Covid-19, which was first identified in southern England.
Most EU countries imposed restrictions on Covid-related UK entry until at least 6 January. Only after that can we get some clarification on whether or not countries will make exemptions for the British as soon as the current health crisis starts to subside.
Greece is also allowing travelers from the UK and has not indicated that this will change.
However, Britain’s historic ally, Portugal – which last year launched a “Brelcome” campaign, promising “Portugal will never leave you” – announced that British citizens will not be allowed from 1 January, except for travel essential. Belgium and Norway said the same.
France, Italy and Spain have yet to make any announcements, although travel by non-UK residents is currently banned for all three due to the Covid variant.
How about the opposite?
Is it cheaper to visit the UK?
Probably, but of course it depends on which currency zone you are coming from. The pound fell in June 2016, when the referendum was announced, and has yet to return to pre-Brexit levels against the euro and the dollar.
However, it is not as bad (or good, depending on your point of view) as it was – after another historic crash in March, when the pound fell to a 30-year low against the dollar and an 11-year low on against the euro at the start of the last round of negotiations (exacerbated by the pandemic), the pound recovered a small amount and recovered again after a trade agreement with the EU was announced on 24 December.
If you are converting US dollars, however, it is a big difference from the busy days of 2007, when the conversion rate was from $ 2 to £ 1. For many, the drop in sterling will make a trip to the UK finally viable.
I am British. Once the borders are reopened after Covid, can I still travel freely to the EU?
Post-Covid restrictions, where applicable, you can still travel without a visa. But you will only be allowed to spend 90 days every 180 days in the Schengen area (most EU countries, plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein). This means that spending the winter in the Mediterranean is no longer possible. If you entered the EU on January 1st, for example, you would need to leave on April 1st – you would not be allowed to return until June 30th and then you would have to leave before October.
These grants are cumulative and cover Schengen – so you can’t spend three months in a country, go home and come back for a weekend city break.
The EU is introducing a visa waiver scheme, called ETIAS (similar to the US ESTA scheme), by the end of 2022. UK citizens are likely to be included in the scheme, which will cost around € 7 for three years.
How about the opposite?
Visas are not required for EU citizens who are currently visiting the UK. Currently, you can spend six months in the UK without applying for a visa.
The UK is expected to include EU citizens in its ETA visa-free scheme by 2025.
Will things get more expensive for UK citizens?
Taking out the exchange rate, probably. Leaving the EU means that UK phone companies can now charge roaming fees once again while you are traveling there (previously, they were abolished by EU rules). Leading UK suppliers have said they will not introduce them, but check with yours before you go.
On the other hand, EU residents may be charged roaming fees when using their phones in the UK. Again, check with your provider.
How about health care?
UK citizens will need travel insurance, according to the government – although the December 24 agreement says that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) cards (which provided health coverage at the same level as locals receive) will be valid until the expiration date. Please note that they will not be valid in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.
Regular treatment for chronic conditions – such as dialysis or chemotherapy – will continue beyond the border, with pre-booking.
In the meantime, the UK has declared that it will create a “global health insurance card” for its citizens, although the details (and the deadline) have not yet been released.
Expect a lot of confusion in the coming months – when CNN called the EHIC consultation line on December 31, a call manager warned that the cards would no longer be valid as of January 1 and we should be calling back in two weeks to find out if the government has found an alternative.
Do we need new paperwork?
UK citizens will now need six months of validity in their passports to enter the EU (technically, the EU requires three months of validity, but the UK is advising its citizens to have six months remaining). EU residents can use ID cards to enter the UK until October 1, 2021. After that, you will need a passport, unless you are a UK resident.
How about driving?
If you are entering a British car in the EU, it must have a GB sticker on display and a “Green Card” detailing your insurance in several languages.
What happens at the border?
Officially, UK citizens no longer have the right to use EU passport doors for border control. However, each EU country can decide whether or not to grant an exception. With the UK banned from most countries at the moment because of Covid, the situation is likely to clear up in a few months.
What about pets?
Taking your dog on a summer vacation is a rite of passage for many Britons. Now that the UK is no longer part of the EU pet passport, you will need to obtain an animal health certificate at least 10 days before traveling. These can be obtained from your veterinarian. Please note that you will also need a certificate when traveling from England, Wales or Scotland to Northern Ireland.
How about moving abroad?
There is no longer freedom of movement between the EU and the United Kingdom. Anyone who wants to move between the two now needs to apply for a visa.
What about Gibraltar?
In an 11-hour agreement on December 31, it was announced that Gibraltar – the territory of the United Kingdom in the extreme south of Spain – will become part of the Schengen area, as an entry point into Spain. However, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo confirmed that only the territory will be part of the Schengen area – not the people. In other words, British citizens will not be able to use it as a gateway to Spain.
There will be two entry points: one for Gibraltar and one for Schengen. The airport will be in the Schengen area, so there will be no immigration checks for intra-Schengen flights.
And Ireland?
The Republic of Ireland is exempt from the 90/180 rule for British citizens. And there is no limit to the number of items you can take across the border with Northern Ireland, as long as they are for personal use or gifts.
There will be no border controls between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland; however, you cannot take meat or dairy from England, Scotland or Wales to Northern Ireland, and if you travel with a pet, it must have a certificate – even if you are not planning to cross into the Republic of Ireland.
Any advantage?
Tax-free shopping will now return for travel between the EU and the UK, although the UK has ended tax-free shopping on untaxed products – electronics and cosmetics, for example.