Brexit FAQs

You will not experience any changes going through security checks at Gatwick, but UK citizens may be subject to additional checks when entering EU countries.

You may be asked to show a return or onward ticket or show you have enough money for the duration of your stay to the Border Official. You may also have to use separate lanes at immigration as EU fast-track lanes for passport control will no longer be open to British travellers

Burgundy passports with 'European Union' on the cover are still valid travel documents. However, you must check its expiry date as you may need up to six months left on it and be less than 10 years old. If your passport does not meet these requirements you will need to renew it prior to travel. This does not apply to UK citizens returning to the UK. 

Check Government passport rules here

If you are travelling to countries within the European Union for a short trip, you will not require a visa. You may only stay in an EU country for 90 days in a 180-day period. 

For stays over 90 days, a visa may be required and passengers should check the Government’s rules for travel to Europe after Brexit.

From 2023 British travellers will need to register online and pay in advance for an "Etias" permit under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System.

Existing European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) remain valid for travel in EU countries, but are replaced by a new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for new and expired applications.

You can use a UK passport to get medically necessary healthcare in Norway (for example emergency treatment, or to treat a pre-existing condition).

If you’re travelling to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you should get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you travel. Make sure it covers any pre-existing conditions that were previously covered by your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) are still valid and offer the same cover as GHIC in the EU. Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll be able to replace it with a GHIC. You can get a provisional replacement certificate (PRC) if you need treatment abroad and do not have a card.

Most people can apply for a GHIC online, but some people need to apply by post. Visit the NHS website for more information. Beware of unofficial websites, which may charge if you apply through them. An EHIC or GHIC is free of charge.

Your card will normally arrive within 10 days.

Click here to apply for your GHIC

If you are travelling to the EU with a UK passport for business, there may be extra actions you need to take. Business travel includes travelling for meetings and conferences, providing services and touring for art or music. You may need to satisfy different entry requirements, check your professional qualifications are still accepted and advise the HMRC about your work.

Depending on which country you are visiting, you may need to apply for additional documentation. Please check the UK Government advice for more information here.

You might also need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have:

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

Check with the embassy of the country you will be driving in.

You cannot use the existing pet passport scheme. Instead you’ll need an animal health certificate (AHC) for your pet. Allow at least 1 month to arrange this and relevant vaccinations.

Find out more about pet travel on the Government website.

UK citizens travelling to the EU are now able to purchase duty-free on excise goods (alcohol and tobacco).

You are not able to take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries.

There are some exceptions, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website.

The UK Government has ended tax-free sales in airports on non-excise goods (electronics, clothing, cosmetics etc).

For more information, view UK Government advice.

The guarantee of free mobile phone roaming throughout the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway has ended.

Check with your phone operator to find out about any roaming charges you might get, a new law means you are protected from charges above £45 a month without your knowledge.

For those entering the UK and resident in one of the EEA countries or Switzerland, will be able to continue to travel without a visa and to stay for up to three months. Residents not from EEA countries or Switzerland are asked to check the UK Government’s latest advice here. Irish citizens can continue to live, work and study in the UK.

Travellers from European Economic Area (EEA) countries (all EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland can continue to use use ePassport gates if they have a biometric passport. National ID Cards cannot be used.

There are new inbound personal allowance on goods brought back to the UK from EU and restrictions on goods you can bring in from EU nations.

Alcohol

• 42 litres of beer
• 18 litres of still wine
• 4 litres of spirits OR 9 litres of sparkling wine, fortified wine or any alcoholic beverage less than 22% ABV

Tobacco

• 200 cigarettes OR
• 100 cigarillos OR
• 50 cigars OR
• 250g tobacco OR
• 200 sticks of tobacco for heating
• or any proportional combination of the above

More information on import allowances for your destination can be found here. 

Cash

Passengers travelling from the EU to the UK with more than £10,000 in cash will need to make a declaration at the border, as is the case for non-EU travellers currently. You can make a declaration online, at the airport or by calling the HMRC on 0300 200 3700.

Cash includes notes, coins, bearer bonds, banker’s drafts and cheques. For passengers bringing merchandise, please check the latest government advice on what you should declare.

If you’re bringing animal and animal products into the UK, then Andorra, the Canary Islands, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland also count as EU countries.

If you’re bringing plants and plant products into the UK, then Andorra, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City also count as EU countries.

You can bring:

• meat
• dairy
• other animal products, for example, fish, eggs and honey

You can bring in any plants or plant products as long as they’re:

• free from pests and diseases
• for your own use or consumption

For passengers travelling from the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the UK, controls on plants and plant products will be phased in during 2021 and 2022.

Check the rules about bringing food and drink from the EU on the UK Government website..