Travel after Brexit: How will it affect my holidays to the EU?

Rules on travelling to and from European Union countries will change on 1 January 2021.

That's because an agreement between the UK and EU to keep many things the same for 11 months after Brexit comes to an end.

As it stands, no. Because of Covid, travellers from most non-EU countries can't visit except for essential reasons.

After 31 December, the UK will no longer be treated like a member of the EU, so becomes subject to these rules.

The only non-EU countries exempted are those with very low infection rates, such as New Zealand.

The EU could choose to exempt the UK from these rules, especially if there is a trade deal. Alternatively, individual countries could create a "travel corridor" with the UK, allowing restriction-free travel.

No. Your current passport will be valid as long as:

The six-month rule won't apply for visits to Ireland, because it is part of the Common Travel Area.

If you need a new passport - which will be a different colour - the government says you should apply in plenty of time.

If you're a tourist, you'll be able to travel to most EU countries - plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - without a visa.

You'll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.

So, an Easter weekend in Spain, followed by a June fortnight in Italy, would both count towards your 90-day limit.

The rules for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania are different. You could make a 90-day trip to any of them and still not use up your 90-day allowance for other EU countries.

You may need a visa or permit to stay for longer, to work or study, or for business travel.

From 2022, UK nationals will have to pay for a visa-waiver scheme in order to visit many European countries.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will no longer be valid. It entitled about 27 million British citizens to state-provided medical treatment if they fell ill or had an accident in EU countries, as well as a number of others.

So, when you arrange your travel insurance you should make sure it has health cover.

UK state pensioners living in the EU before 31 December 2020, and UK students already on EU courses, can use their EHIC beyond 2020, but will need to apply for new cards.

The government said on 17 December it was still negotiating with the EU on new arrangements that would provide the same healthcare cover that the EHIC currently gives.

The EHIC covered pre-existing medical conditions, but some travel insurance policies don't.

If there is no agreement in those negotiations, the government will bring in a scheme, from 1 January to 31 December 2021, for people who are certain to require treatment while abroad, such as dialysis or chemotherapy. Such people should consult their doctors to make sure they qualify and agree what treatment they need.

You'll no longer be able to use EU fast-track passport control and customs lanes.

When you arrive in an EU country (except Ireland) be prepared to show your return ticket. You could be asked to show you have enough money for your stay.

It could also take longer to cross the UK border.

The guarantee of free roaming throughout the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway ends on 1 January 2021.

You should check with your mobile provider to see if you're likely to face extra charges when you travel. The four main UK operators have said they have no plans to reintroduce roaming fees.

The government has passed laws to protect customers, including:

You'll need to take your Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence, your log book (V5C) and valid insurance documents.

You may need extra documents to drive in EU countries - including an international driving permit or a "green card" from your insurer.

Pet passports issued in Great Britain will not be valid for travel to the EU from 1 January 2021. A new system will apply from that date.

From 1 January 2021 pets travelling from Great Britain to the EU will need to have an animal health certificate (AHC). The same rules will apply if you are taking your pet to Northern Ireland.

AHCs will be issued by a vet, will be valid for four months and must be obtained 10 days before travel.

AHCs will be valid for a single trip into the EU, onward travel within the EU and re-entry to Great Britain.

Your pet must have been microchipped and have had a rabies vaccination. It will also have to have a treatment against echinococcus multilicaris (a type of tapeworm) for entry into Finland, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta.

Passengers from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) travelling to EU countries can take advantage of duty-free shopping from January 2021.

Current duty-free limits on tobacco and alcohol, which apply only to non-EU countries at the moment, will also increase in the new year.

But there'll no longer be tax-free airport sales of goods like electronics and clothing.