The changing rules due to Brexit will affect you if you’re travelling to any of the 27 countries within the EU (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden) as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Brexit FAQs
The transition period for the UK leaving the European Union (EU) came to an end on 1st January 2021.
Understanding how this change impacts travel and driving abroad can be tricky. That’s why we’ve tried to clear up as much as possible and answer the most important questions below. You can also look at our lists of changes to expect and things you need to do before travelling to the EU post-Brexit.
The information below was last updated on 03/03/2021 and to the best of our knowledge is correct at the time of writing.
Please be advised that the information below concerns Brexit only and your cover will still be dependent on the policy terms and conditions. There may be other factors that could impact your claim, such as changes in FCDO advice or COVID-19 related guidelines. You can check our travel and COVID-19 FAQ’s for more information.
What can I expect to change whilst travelling in the EU post-Brexit?
Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will still be valid within the EU, entitling you to essential medical treatment at state-run hospitals and GP’s until it expires. Once your EHIC expires, you’ll be able to replace it with a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) free of charge. Whilst your EHIC/GHIC will take care of your medical treatment costs in some circumstances, it’s still important to take out a suitable travel insurance policy, as your EHIC won’t cover you for every circumstance, including trip cancellation, stolen belongings, private medical treatment and any additional costs to return you to the UK. It also won’t provide cover for treatment at private medical facilities, even if no public facilities are available locally.
The GHIC is the new scheme being launched by the government to replace the previous EHIC scheme. It offers the same protection as the EHIC and you won’t need to apply for one until your existing EHIC expires. Both your EHIC and GHIC enable you to access free or reduced* state-provided medical treatment and healthcare, should you need it whilst travelling in the EU. This includes treatment for a pre-existing medical condition. It’s important to be aware that neither the EHIC nor GHIC provide cover in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, even though these countries used to provide reciprocal healthcare arrangements to travellers from the UK. However, you can still receive state-provided healthcare in Norway if you show your UK passport to the medical facility.
*Different countries have different healthcare systems and may not include everything that you might receive free on the NHS. Your GHIC entitles you to the same treatment, at the same cost, as a patient from that country. Find out more about healthcare in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
As long as your passport is less than 10 years old and has at least six months left before expiry when you depart for your trip, you won’t need to renew it to travel to the EU. If you’ve got a trip planned, make sure that your passport meets these criteria in plenty of time before you’re due to set off, so you have time to apply for a new one if you need to.
If you’re travelling for leisure, you won’t need a visa for trips to most countries within the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, unless your travel exceeds the limit of 90 days in any 180-day period. If you travel to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus or Romania, your visits to other EU countries won’t count towards the 90-day total.
If your travel exceeds this time limit, is for work or study or a business trip, you may need a permit or visa. You can check the relevant information for each country on the FCDO website.
We’d strongly advise you to allow yourself more time at the airport, train terminal or ferry port when travelling to the EU post-Brexit. This is because you won’t be able to use the EU fast-track queue at passport control. You may also be required to show your onward/return ticket and/or prove that you have enough money to cover your stay. It’s important to remember that if you miss your flight (or equivalent) due to long queues inside or on the way to the airport (or equivalent), you won’t be covered for any resulting additional costs under your travel insurance policy.
The UK no longer participates in the Erasmus scheme, meaning that studying in Europe may look different. If you’re already studying in the EU, you’ll still be treated the same as students from that country and continue to receive the same financial support as other EU students. However, if you’ve not yet started your studies, you’ll need to make sure that you meet the visa requirements for the country you’re studying in. Also, check with the EU university you’re attending to make sure that your arrangements haven’t changed.
You can still travel to the EU for business, but you may need to meet some additional entry requirements such as arranging a visa or work permit, depending on your reason for travel and length of stay. You can check the extra business travel requirements on the UK Government website, as well as additional information on how to check if your professional qualifications are recognised in the EU and whether you’ll need to let HMRC know that you’ll be earning money in the EU.
Remember to consider our business travel insurance for corporate travel.
Pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer valid for travel to the EU, so you’ll need to make sure your pet has an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) to travel with you. This is also the case if you’re taking your pet with you to Northern Ireland. Your local vet should be able to help arrange an AHC for your pet.
Not all of the new rules will apply if you’re visiting Ireland, but it’s important to understand which ones do:
You need to:
- Make sure your pet has an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) if travelling to Ireland with you.
- Take out a suitable travel insurance policy for your trip. Although UK citizens visiting Ireland are entitled to medically necessary healthcare, this wouldn’t cover you for any other unexpected additional costs such as stolen belongings or repatriation.
You don’t need to:
- Renew your passport before travelling to Ireland if it is over 10 years old and/or expires within the next six months.
- Arrange a visa or permit to live, work or study in Ireland.
How will Brexit impact my travel insurance policy with Allianz Assistance?
Yes – although your GHIC entitles you to some basic medical treatment at state-run hospitals and GP’s within the EU, you should still take out a travel insurance policy for your trip. This is because your GHIC won’t cover you for every circumstance, including trip cancellation, stolen belongings, private medical treatment and any additional costs to return you to the UK.
If you take out a travel insurance policy with us, you’ll need to declare your pre-existing medical condition, so that we can let you know whether our travel insurance product can cover it. Your EHIC/GHIC will entitle you to medical treatment and care whilst travelling in the EU, but not private treatment or for other unexpected additional costs such as repatriation, so it is important to make sure that you have suitable cover for your needs.
If you already have a travel insurance policy with us and declared a pre-existing medical condition when you bought it, you’ll still be covered in line with the policy terms and conditions.
Yes, unless your medical costs have been reduced by using one of the reciprocal health arrangements that exist, such as the EHIC (while it remains valid) or it’s replacement – the GHIC. If an EHIC or GHIC has been used to reduce the cost, you will not have to pay an excess.
No – now that the UK has left the EU, there may be delays at passport control or customs. When travelling, make sure you leave enough time to allow for potential delays as you won’t be covered under your travel insurance policy if you miss your flight (or equivalent) due to delays.
No - you would need to contact the airline and/or travel provider to discuss your options for amending or cancelling your trip to the EU. Your travel insurance policy won’t cover any additional costs if you need to change or cancel your trip to meet the new post-Brexit travel guidelines. If you chose to buy a single trip or backpacker policy with us to cover this trip specifically and are able to change your dates of travel, you can contact us to discuss your options for amending your travel insurance policy.
Yes – your existing AMT travel insurance policy will continue in line with the terms and conditions outlined when you bought it*.
*This means that not every scenario is covered, so make sure you read your policy terms carefully before you travel. For example, you won’t be covered if you travel against Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice. If you have any questions about your cover, you can get in touch with us on 020 8603 9653 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) for advice.
Yes – as long as you can meet the requirements of being a UK resident, you can buy a travel insurance policy with us. Any existing policy you have with us remains valid and you’ll have cover for your trip(s), in line with the policy terms and conditions.
How will Brexit impact me if I want to drive within the EU?
A green card is a document which proves that you have the car insurance required for the country you’re driving in. All UK car insurance policies provide the minimum third party cover to drive in the EU. Before your trip, you’ll need to contact your car insurance provider to ask for a green card for your car. You should allow plenty of time for this, as it can take up to six weeks to reach you in the post.
You need to carry a green card if you travel to any country within the EU, as well as Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia and Switzerland. You’ll also need to take a green card with you whilst driving between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
No – if your number plate displays a GB with an EU flag or the English, Scottish or Welsh flag, there’s no need to change it, but you will need to display an additional GB sticker to drive within the EU. If your number plate has a GB displayed on its own or with a union flag, you won’t need an additional sticker for most countries. However, if you’re driving in Cyprus, Malta or Spain you’ll need a GB sticker regardless of the symbol on your number plate.
If you own the car you’re driving, you’ll need to carry your V5C log book when driving within the EU. If you’re taking a leased or hire car from the UK to the EU, you’ll need to get a VE103 form to prove that you have permission to take the car outside the UK. You should also carry your driving licence and, in some cases, an International Driving Permit (IDP). This depends on which country you’re going to and how long you stay there. You might also need an IDP if you have a paper driving licence, or a driving licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man. You can find out more and check which driving documents you need to carry for your road trip.
If you’re driving abroad with a trailer or caravan, it will need its own GB sticker and you’ll need to take an additional green card with you. You should contact your car insurance provider at least six weeks before you set off, to make sure you receive your green card in time for your trip. You may also need to register the trailer/caravan with the DVLA so it can be issued with a separate registration number needed to take it outside the UK. You can check whether your trailer or caravan needs to be registered at the UK Government website.
If you have a European roadside assistance policy with us already, you’ll still be covered in line with the terms and conditions you received at the time of purchase and will be able to use your policy as normal. Please be aware that cover might be impacted if you fail to meet the requirements for driving within Europe and need to make a claim, so it’s important to make sure you’re carrying the correct documents, such as your green card, with you and that you have a GB sticker on your car if necessary.
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