FAQs on What Brexit Means For British Travelers Today

In another story we have analyzed what the shock Brexit vote and UK’s exit from the EU means for the travel industry, short term and post UK’s exit in two years from now.

Also apparent for now, traveling to UK will be a lot cheaper as long as the pound is in the dumps against other currencies. Long term impact for foreign travelers coming to UK is a lot more complex.

But what does it mean for British travelers, today? ABTA, which is UK’s largest travel association, representing travel agents and tour operators, has put out a very useful set of FAQs for UK travelers and what it means for them today.

How will Brexit affect my holiday?

Until the UK officially leaves the EU, not sooner than two years’ time, there will be no changes to holiday arrangements. Travellers are as free to move between the UK and the EU as they were before the vote, European Health Insurance cards remain valid and regulations such as Air Passenger Rights remain in place.

I’m going to Europe this summer, is my passport still valid?

Yes.  Until the UK officially leaves the EU, not sooner than two years’ time, there will be no changes to passports.

I’ve booked a holiday for next year – do I need to do anything?

No.  Until the UK officially leaves the EU, not sooner than two years’ time, there will be no changes to holiday arrangements.

Do I need to get a new passport?

No.  Until the UK officially leaves the EU, not sooner than two years’ time, there will be no change to passport arrangements.

Which queue will I go into at the airport – EU passports or all others?

The same queue as you did before the vote. Until the UK officially leaves the EU, not sooner than two years’ time, there will be no change to passport arrangements.

Do I need a visa to go to Spain?

No. Until the UK officially leaves the EU, not sooner than two years’ time, there will be no change to passport arrangements.

What about my European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?

You can still use your EHIC card abroad.  There will be no immediate changes to using your EHIC card abroad. Arrangements between the UK and other EU countries will have to be reached once the UK officially leaves the EU.

Can I still get compensation if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

Yes. There will be no immediate changes to claiming compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled. The UK Government will need to implement a new law on compensation for flight delays and compensation after we leave the EU.

What about duty free? Can I still bring goods home?

You can still bring home unlimited goods until we officially leave the EU.  The free movement of goods will be part of a negotiated settlement with the EU.

What about using my mobile phone abroad? Will roaming charges increase?

There will be no immediate changes to using your phone abroad, and there won’t be an immediate impact on charges. The UK Government will need to implement a new law on roaming charges after we leave the EU, otherwise the service providers will be free to set roaming charges.

Can I still take money out from cashpoints abroad?

Yes, you can continue to take out cash, as normal.

Will it be more expensive to go on holiday abroad?

Not necessarily. If you are travelling abroad and you have already paid for all of your travel arrangements, as part of a package holiday for example, then you will be protected to a large degree from a drop in the value of the pound.  However, your spending power while abroad will be impacted in the event of a weaker pound, making it more expensive to buy things like meals and drinks.

What does this mean for the price of my holiday abroad?

If you are travelling abroad and you have already paid for all of your travel arrangements, as part of a package holiday for example, then you will be protected to a large degree from a drop in the value of the pound.  People paying for overseas accommodation in other currencies (e.g. in euros or dollars) can expect to pay more in the event of a weaker pound.

Will the cost of flights increase?

A weaker pound may impact the cost of flights in the short term, in the longer term the UK Government will seek to negotiate full access to the EU’s common aviation market, which has delivered the open skies arrangements we have today.