With good news on Covid vaccines we’re hoping that at some point in 2021 people will be able to travel again, and some brave souls will want to venture to France in their cars to enjoy our beautiful country once more. But what are the new travel requirements between the UK and France post-Brexit?
If you are visiting France for a holiday, there are definitely no changes that should put you off travelling. We’ve summarised all of the key issues below (also see the links to source information at the bottom of the page). Bear in mind this information is current as at today’s date. If there are future changes we’ll post them on our Facebook page.
Passport
You will need at least six months left on your passport on the day you travel.
Visas
You will NOT need a visa for a short visit of up to 90 days.
However, be aware that the EU will be introducing an ETIAS Visa Waiver system (similar to the system for visitors to the USA) at the end of 2022. This will be an online application and the Visa Waiver will last for three years. The cost is potentially 7€.
Note that the UK will also be introducing their own Visa Waiver system for visitors to the UK from 2025.
Car Insurance
The EU has conceded on the need to obtain a separate Green Card from your insurer. Your insurer should issue a certificate as normal which covers you for driving in the EU.
Driving Licence
Your UK licence will be valid in the EU.
You will only need an International Driving Permit if you still have an old paper licence or have a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man. If you need an IDP (1968 version) just take your passport, licence, a passport photo and £5.50 into a participating Post Office and fill in the application form.
UK Sticker
The EU badge on your licence plate will no longer be recognised. Your options are:
Keep your current EU badged plate, and also display a UK sticker on the rear of your car.
Have a plain number plate with just your number, coupled with a UK sticker as above.
Change your plate to have a Union Jack badge with UK on the plate (no other flag emblem is accepted).
European Health Insurance Card
Any existing EHIC is still valid until its expiry date. It will be replaced by a Global Health Insurance Card. Remember this only entitles you to the level of health care afforded to citizens of the country you're visiting. In France residents have to pay for a % of their health care costs, so you are advised to take out additional health insurance when you travel.
Food & Drink
Visitors from the UK will no longer be able to bring meat, milk or products containing them into the EU. There are currently no restrictions for what you can take back to the UK so you will still be able to take some lovely French cheeses and sausages back with you!
The allowances for alcohol should be sufficient for the majority of visitors (18 litres of wine)!
Mobile Roaming
Who knows what the telephone providers are going to do. Lots of promises were made before Brexit that roaming charges wouldn't be changed. Time will tell. But once you're with us you have free WiFi access in the gite so can Zoom/Skype/WhatsApp the UK at no charge.
We look forward to welcoming you to Bonnes Routes in 2021.