Last reviewed: 24th July 2024  |  Next review due: 24th October 2024

Latest Travel News

July 2024 | EU's Entry Exit System (EES) launch date pushed back
Earlier this year, an we were informed that the EU was planning on launching the Entry/Exit System on 5th October. We now understand that that launch date has been scrapped as yet more time is needed. EU-Lisa (the IT body that's handling the roll-out) now plans to launch the scheme on 10th November, with a last resort option to postpone by a week to 17th November.

May 2024 | Changes to the Euro Emission Standard
Euro 7 Emissions Standard is due to be rolled out from July 2025. Euro Emission Standards are standards applied to all cars manufactured and/or registered in Europe (including the UK) with the aim of improving air quality. A vehicle must meet relevant Euro Standards when it is made. Currently, Euro Standards run from 1-6. Euro 7 is due to be launched next year. This could result in some changes to existing standards and Low Emission Zones in the UK and Europe. 

March 2024 | Bulgaria and Romania have joined the Schengen Area
Taking effect from 31 March 2024, Bulgaria and Romania have joined the Schengen Area, the EU's open border scheme. Land border checks will remain in place but EU passengers arriving via air and sea will no longer be subject to passport control. British travellers and other non-EU visitors will still be required to present passports upon entry.

March 2024 | EU's ETIAS deployment set for 2025
The EU's new European Travel Information Authorisation System is now expected to be fully deployed in mid-2025. Visitors to the EU from the UK and other non-EU countries will need to apply for an ETIAS prior to travelling.

January 2023 | Croatia has joined the Eurozone 
On 1 January 2023, Croatia became the 20th member of the Eurozone, adopting the Euro. Croatian Kuna notes can be exchanged for the equivalent value in Euros at the Croatian National Bank until January 2026.

Find more travel news at alanrogers.com

UK & Ireland Travel

Travel between the UK and Ireland is regulated by the Common Travel Area (CTA). This is an arrangement between the United Kingdom and Ireland that gives a variety of rights to citizens of those countries. It was agreed upon in 1992 and, in 2019, the Irish and UK governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding reaffirming the commitment to maintain the CTA following Brexit. There are no routine passport controls in operation for Irish and UK citizens travelling between the two countries.

Travelling to the EU

EES & ETIAS

The Entry Exit System (EES) and European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) are schemes that are to be introduced to visitors to the European Union from October 2024 and mid-2025 respectively.

EES is an entry-exit system that ensures a proper record of the eligible citizens of third countries entering Europe, similar to passport stamping or using an eGate. Information that will be taken during this procedure will include: facial image, surname, first name, date and place of birth, nationality, gender, passport number and other data, valid ETIAS or Schengen visa, and biometric data such as fingerprints. You will be required to fill out an online form prior to travelling. This data, as well as the information collected at the eGate, will be encrypted and stored securely.

ETIAS is a visa waiver scheme, similar to the ESTA procedure employed in the United States and similar systems used in Australia and New Zealand. ETIAS will allow checks to be made before travellers depart, making border crossing a smoother process. Almost 1 in 5 people will need ETIAS to travel to the European Union without a visa. Your application will be screened prior to your entry into an EU country. It works in conjunction with the EES.

Passports

You can continue to travel to mainland Europe with your UK passport until it expires, as long as it is valid for the length of your stay, has at least six months of validity left, and is less than ten years old. This applies to all current passport designs, including burgundy covers, those with ‘EUROPEAN UNION’ printed on the front and the new blue passports. These rules don’t apply to travel to the Republic of Ireland. If you apply for a new passport, you will be sent the new-style blue design.

You can no longer use the EU/EEA/Switzerland fast-track lanes at airport passport control. You should use the other lanes or eGates where available.

Visas

UK travellers can visit the EU for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. Multiple holidays within this period count towards your 90 days.

From mid-2025*, you must apply for an ETIAS Visa Waiver to travel to Schengen member countries. ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. The European Commission is implementing this new system to strengthen the Union’s borders. All countries that do not currently need a visa to travel to Europe will need to apply for the waiver.

*there is no official launch date for ETIAS currently but we are expecting a mid-2025 launch.

Travel insurance and GHIC

The way UK citizens receive free or low-cost healthcare while in the European Union has changed. Previously, holders of an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) were entitled to healthcare at little to no cost while on holiday.

If you still hold a valid EHIC, you can continue to use it in the EU until it expires. You can still apply for and use an EHIC under certain circumstances outlined in the Withdrawal Agreement.

A replacement scheme, called GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card), provides "medically necessary healthcare that cannot reasonably wait until you come back to the UK" from European state healthcare services.

Despite its name, the GHIC does not provide globally free healthcare, though it covers more territories than the UK EHIC.

We recommend you take out comprehensive travel insurance covering your medical needs. Never purely rely on an EHIC or GHIC.

Driving in the EU

If you plan to drive in the EU, including Ireland, Andorra, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland, you must hold a valid UK driving licence and display a UK sticker regardless of any registration plate identifiers. You should always carry your driving licence with you.

You should also carry either your vehicle log book (V5C) or, if you're hiring a vehicle, a VE103 to show you're allowed to use a hired or leased vehicle abroad.

You do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) for most EU countries. For Norway and some other European countries, you may need an IDP if you have:

• a paper driving licence
• a licence that was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man

If you're towing a caravan, you should check if you need to register your trailer before entering some EU countries. You can find out more at GOV.UK.

Check gov.uk/driving-abroad for a step-by-step guide and any requirements specific to the country you're driving in.

Starting on 28 September 2021, new national vehicle identifiers were introduced. It is now illegal to display a GB sticker on the rear of your vehicle. Instead, you should display a UK sticker if your vehicle number plate has any of the following:

• a GB identifier with the Union flag (also known as the Union Jack)
• a Euro symbol
• a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales
• numbers and letters only - no flag or identifier

You do not need a UK sticker if your number plate includes the UK identifier with the Union flag (also known as the Union Jack).

If you're in Spain, Cyprus or Malta, you must display a UK sticker no matter what is on your number plate.

If you have a GB sticker, cover or remove it and replace it with a UK sticker.

Dashcams & Sat Navs

Dashcams are a grey area in some parts of Europe as they potentially break privacy laws, especially if the footage captured is shared online or with your insurer without the consent of those in the video. Because of this, using your dash cam in Austria, Luxembourg, and Portugal is illegal. There are strict usage conditions on using the devices in Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary and Switzerland, so it’s best to research this before you travel. The law is unclear in Albania, Estonia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Montenegro and Slovakia. Unrestricted use is allowed in all other European countries.

Sat Navs are useful tools for getting from A to B. But the use of navigation systems to give directions isn’t the issue here. Some models can actively search for mobile and fixed-speed cameras or interfere with police equipment. Models that offer this option are illegal in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and Switzerland. Make sure you disable this feature in the listed countries.

Breathalysers & fire extinguishers

Once a legal requirement in France, breathalysers are no longer a requirement but it is advised that you have one to hand. Make sure your breathalyser is NF approved.

Although not compulsory, carrying a vehicle fire extinguisher is recommended in the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

Oversized outfits

Travelling in Spain? Does your outfit exceed 12m? If yes, you must fit marker boards to the back of your vehicle. You can either have two small boards or one large board, but they must be placed between 50cm and 150cm off the ground. The marker board must have a plain yellow centre with a red outline, be made of aluminium, and be manufactured to the ECE70 standard.

Travelling in France? Does your vehicle exceed 3,500kg? If yes, you must have a sticker showing the position of blind spots visible on the sides and at the rear of your vehicle. This regulation has been in force since January 2021.

Travelling with pets

You can no longer use the Pet Passport scheme to travel with your pet to the EU. Instead, you must get your pet microchipped and vaccinated against rabies before it can travel. You must also obtain an Animal Health Certificate from your vet no more than ten days before you travel.

The certificate needs to be signed by a vet and will be valid for ten days after the date of issue for entry into the EU and Northern Ireland and four months for onward travel and re-entry to the UK.

You can find the full requirements for taking pets to the EU at GOV.UK.

Data roaming

Previously, you could roam in Europe using your existing call, text, and data allowances at no extra cost. But post-Brexit, three major providers (EE, Vodafone, and Three) have reintroduced roaming charges. As of April 2024, O2 is the only provider to offer free EU roaming.

The Mobile Roaming (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 Act came into force at the end of the transition period and removed the legal requirement for UK mobile operators to provide surcharge-free roaming in the EU. However, it introduced a new law that protects consumers from getting unexpected mobile data charges above £45 per calendar month. Once this cap is reached, you'll need to opt in to spend more to continue using the internet while abroad. Your phone operator will tell you how you can do this.

Package travel regulations

The EU is largely to thank for many travel laws and regulations currently in place in the UK, like financial protection for package holidays, cheaper flights to more locations, compensation for delayed flights, access to free healthcare and cleaner beaches. Thankfully, many of these regulations have been safeguarded and transferred into British law.

Customers who book a package holiday with a UK travel company enjoy the most comprehensive consumer protection. If you book a package, your holiday will be protected under the Package Travel Regulations, which means you have a right to a full refund if it can no longer be provided.

Your consumer rights regarding travel remain unchanged. You have the same rights under UK law in the event of denied boarding, cancellation or long delay of passenger air, rail, road or sea services.

EU law will continue to apply to EU-registered passenger transport operators regarding journeys to and from the EU.

EU regulations on rail, bus, and coach travel and maritime passengers’ rights are enshrined in UK law. They will continue to protect passengers on cross-border rail services, bus and coach travel, and ferry and cruise travel.

Your rights as a passenger using Eurotunnel’s cross-border shuttle services will remain unchanged. Passengers can continue to use Eurotunnel’s existing complaints procedure.

Currency

Most of Europe shares a common currency, the Euro (€); however, some countries are not part of the Eurozone and use different currencies. Sometimes, these are pegged to the Euro. Some countries may accept both local currency and the Euro. At present, the Euro is legal tender in 20 out of the 27 European Union Member States, and in five countries and one partially recognised state that are not members of the EU; Andorra, Kosovo (partially recognised), Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Vatican City.

Countries that use the Euro:
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Vatican City

Other currencies:

• Albania - Lek (L)
• Bosnia & Herzegovina - Mark (KM)
• Bulgaria - Lev (лв.)
• Czech Republic - Koruna (Kč)
• Denmark - Krone (kr.)
• Hungary - Forint (Ft.)
• Iceland - Króna (Kr.)
• Liechtenstein - Franc (CHF)
• Moldova - Leu (L)
• Norway - Krone (kr.)
• Poland - Złoty (zł)
• Romania - Leu (lei)
• Serbia - Dinar (DIN)
• Sweden - Krona (kr.)
• Switzerland - Franc - (CHF)

Croatia became the 20th member of the Eurozone, adopting the Euro from 1st January 2023. Croatian Kuna notes can be exchanged for the equivalent value in Euros at the Croatian National Bank until January 2026.

Bringing food into the EU

There are stringent rules on what food, animal products and plants you can bring into the EU from the UK. All non-EU countries have restrictions on what they can and can't bring into the Union.

You cannot bring meat or dairy products into the EU. Limited quantities of fruit and vegetables, eggs and egg products, honey, and fish and fish products are allowed.

Affected foods:

• Eviscerated fresh fish and prepared fish products - 20kg or 1 fish (whichever weighs most)
• Plants or plant products including cut flowers - a phytosanitary (plant health) certificate is required attesting that the product is free from certain pests
• Powdered infant milk, infant food and special foods required for medical reasons - no more than 2kg, the product should not require refrigeration before opening, should be packaged proprietary brand products for direct sales to the final customer, and contained within unbroken packaging unless in current use
• Pet food required for health-related reasons - no more than 2kg, the product must be for the pet accompanying the passenger, it should not require refrigeration before opening, should be packaged proprietary brand products for direct sales to the final customer, and contained within unbroken packaging unless in current use
• Products other than those described above that do not contain meat or dairy (eg. honey) - no more than 2kg

Exempted foods:

• Bread (but not sandwiches with dairy or meat fillings)
• Cake (but not if they contain fresh cream)
• Biscuits
• Chocolate and confectionary (but not if the sweets are made with high levels of unprocessed dairy ingredients)
• Meat extracts in liquid or spreadable form (but not pâte or meat concentrates incl stock cubes and gravy granules)
• Olives stuffed with fish
• Pasta and noodles if cooked (but not mixed with or filled with meat)
• Soup

Schengen Area

The Schengen Area consists 29 European countries that have relaxed internal border controls, allowing for free movement. Not all countries in the EU are part of this agreement and some countries that aren't in the EU are part of it! It's worth checking before you embark on your journey.

Who's in?

• Austria (EU)
• Belgium (EU)
• Bulgaria (EU) - only applies to passengers arriving via air and sea, land border checks remain
• Croatia (EU)
• Czech Republic (EU)
• Denmark (EU)
• Estonia (EU)
• Finland (EU)
• France (EU)
• Germany (EU)
• Greece (EU)
• Iceland (non-EU)
• Italy (EU)
• Latvia (EU)
• Liechtenstein (non-EU)
• Lithuania (EU)
• Luxembourg (EU)
• Malta (EU)
• Netherlands (EU)
• Norway (non-EU)
• Poland (EU)
• Portugal (EU)
• Romania (EU) - only applies to passengers arriving via air and sea, land border checks remain
• Slovakia (EU)
• Slovenia (EU)
• Spain (EU)
• Sweden (EU)
• Switzerland (non-EU)

Cyprus and Ireland are the only EU Member States that are not part of the Schengen Area.

FAQs

We understand that you'll have lots of questions about this as it's a big change to how we travel to mainland Europe. We are monitoring this situation and working closely with ABTA and the FCDO to bring you the latest information. We expect the EU to launch a large-scale information campaign soon to prepare UK holidaymakers for the changes.

What happens if I leave the UK before the implementation date but return afterwards?

We have been reliably informed by ABTA that biometric data is only captured at the point of entry. The EU will, for a while, operate a dual system for those that have had the information captured on the way in and for those who haven't. Therefore, if you arrive in the EU prior to the implementation of EES, you will have your passport stamped on entry and exit.

If EES replaces the need for passport stamping, do I need to do anything instead?

Yes, you will need to provide biometric information (fingerprints and facial photos) and some details of your trip. At London St Pancras' Eurostar terminal, this will be done by inputting information into self-service kiosks with human assistance available. We're not yet completely sure how the system will work at the Port of Dover and Folkestone's Eurotunnel terminal. However, we are aware that preparations to expand the Port of Dover are underway with the recently redeveloped Western Docks providing additional processing space and freeing up the Eastern Docks and road network.

How will the border checks work?

Just as you currently have to go through formal checks at airports, checks will be introduced at ports and international rail hubs. Three locations in the UK have juxtaposed border controls, with French police conducting checks on British soil. These are located at the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel's terminal at Folkestone, and the Eurostar terminal at London St Pancras. 

On first registration, you must provide fingerprint checks and a biometric facial scan. On subsequent registrations within the following three years, you will only need to provide a biometric facial scan. Each new visit triggers another three years of validity, until the expiry date of your passport. Upon using a new passport, you will need to provide new fingerprint and facial biometrics. 

However, all this new red tape is expected to add time to your check in process. There is talk of a relief valve which will involve reducing the number of people that will be required to provide biometric data to just one in 10 if queues build up.

What information will I have to provide when applying for an ETIAS?

You will be asked to provide the following information upon applying: 

• Personal information including name(s), date and place of birth, sex, nationalities, home address, email address and phone number(s); 
• Parents’ first name(s); 
• Travel document details; 
• Level of education and current occupation; 
• Details about your intended travel and stay in any of the countries requiring ETIAS; 
• Details about any past criminal convictions, past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether they have recently been the subject of a return decision

You will not be required to provide photos.

Will there be physical ETIAS application forms for those who struggle to use online forms?

We're not sure yet. ABTA is currently seeking further information in regards to what accessibility support will be available.

How long will my application take?

In most cases, ETIAS will be approved in minutes. In very rare cases, it can take up to 30 days to receive a decision.

What are the requirements for Irish citizens?

As EU nationals, Irish citizens are exempt from both ETIAS and EES.

How far in advance should I apply before travelling?

ABTA recommends that you apply at least 30 days before travelling. 

We understand that sometimes you may book last minute holidays or personal situations may require you to travel at short notice, in these cases, you should apply for an ETIAS as approval is usually issued within minutes. If it is not, you will not be able to travel. However, it has been highlighted that after the initial entry into force, there will be a six-month transitional period during which ETIAS will be optional. Following the transitional period, there will also be an additional six months during which first-time travellers will be exempt from having an ETIAS. After the end of the grace period, a valid ETIAS will be required to travel.

Will ETIAS apply for arrivals by sea?

Yes, you will need to apply for an ETIAS whether you are arriving by air, rail or sea.

Is it likely to cause delays at ports?

We are expecting major ports in the UK and France to experience delays upon implementation however, the Port of Dover and French Border Authorities have implemented measures, such as additional frontier supervisors and a Coach Processing Facility, to mitigate potential delays. 

In the long term, the passengers travelling to the EU will benefit from the introduction of EES, as the system will replace the manual stamping of passports by border guards.

Will these systems be tied to Europol and Interpol?

Yes, both the EES and ETIAS are large-scale IT systems aimed at enhancing security at Schengen's borders and will grant access to security systems such as Interpol and Europol. 

Further details on how the EU manages interoperability between these security systems and safeguarding personal data can be found here.

Can I have a glossary of abbreviations?

Beyond the pretty destinations of Europe is a complex political structure that exists to regulate how the industry operates and protect consumers. With that, comes confusing jargon, so here's a brief jargon buster to all the words and abbreviations we've been throwing around in this article! 

EU - European Union A political union of 27 European countries with common laws, currency and a standardised framework. 

CTA - Common Travel Area An open-borders area comprising the UK, Ireland, Isle of Mann and the Channel Islands. 

EES - Entry/Exit System A new system being implemented by the European Union to track stay duration and abolish passport stamping. 

ETIAS - European Travel Information Authorisation System A new system being implemented by the European Union to enhance security and protect the Union's external borders. 

EFTA - European Free Trade Association A free trade area consisting of four European states: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, that operates in parallel with the European Union, participates in the European Single Market and the Schengen Area. They are not, however, members of the European Union. 

EEA - European Economic Area An international agreement which enables the extension of the European Union's single market to member states of the European Free Trade Association. 

EUCU - European Union Customs Union A trade bloc which consists of all the member states of the European Union, Monaco, and the British Overseas Territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, in which goods can move freely without tariffs. 

EZ - Eurozone A currency union of 20 member states of the European Union that have adopted the euro (€) as their primary currency and sole legal tender.

Accessible Travel

We firmly believe that travel should be accessible to everybody. To be able to explore a place, journey somewhere new, feel a sense of adventure, discover new cultures and learn about local history is a very special experience. But for some, travel can be challenging. Please let us know if you have a mobility issue and we will do everything we can to make sure your holiday is as easy and comfortable as it can be. Read more about our Open to All initiative at alanrogers.com

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Travel Advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office offers advice about travelling abroad. Visit GOV.UK for further information about the FCDO.

ABTA Membership

We are a Member of ABTA which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. All the package and Flight-Plus holidays we sell are covered by a scheme protecting your money if the supplier fails. Other services such as hotels or flights on their own may not be protected and you should ask us what protection is available.

Other information

Fake websites 
There are currently more than 60 unofficial websites offering ETIAS, despite the system not yet being live. Avoid using an unofficial website: there’s the risk that you will be overcharged, that you won’t get an ETIAS and that your personal information could be stolen. Frontex and the European Commission are currently working to spread awareness of fake websites. 

Further information 
You can find the latest information on ABTA's website. We expect the EU to launch a dedicated information campaign prior to implementation, more information on that will be available on the dedicated ETIAS website. If you have questions that we haven't answered here, please contact us and we will do our best to find out more.