The only exemption available for EU nationals is the ability to travel visa-free for tourist/visit purposes for up to 6 months. The headquarters of the Council of the EU and the European Council are located in Brussels (Belgium). You’ve accepted all cookies. You may need to do extra things before you travel to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, such as: There are more things to do if you’re travelling for business. If you’re travelling to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you should get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you travel. ... Video A tourist, in Afghanistan? You’ll need a certificate to take certain plants and plant products into EU countries. You can also take a look at Council publications, access the archives and search for legislation that the Council negotiates together with the European Parliament. To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Once you reach £45, you need to opt in to spend more so that you can continue using the internet while you’re abroad. There will be a transition period until 31 December 2020, while the EU and UK negotiate new arrangements. The Brexit transition period will end at 23h00 on 31 December, 2020. Some people can apply for a new UK EHIC that they can continue to use from 1 January 2021 in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Please take a few minutes to complete our short survey at the end of your visit. You cannot use the existing pet passport scheme. There may also be healthcare consequences to a hard Brexit. Other cookies are used to boost performance and guarantee security of the website. Instead you’ll need an animal health certificate (AHC) for your pet. Published. In total, 67% of visitors to the UK in 2017 came from EU countries, with a high proportion coming from France, Germany, Spain and The Netherlands. In that case, Brits will be able to stay within the Schengen territory for up to 90 days at a time within a 180-day period visa-free. The government of the United Kingdom has stated that it does not intend to require a visa from EU citizens travelling to the UK for short stays. The UK tourism and hospitality sectors are reliant on EU migrant workers, who make up an estimated 12%-23% of the industry’s workforce. You are not able to take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. You’re protected if you buy a package holiday and the company goes out of business. We use cookies in order to ensure that you can get the best browsing experience possible on the Council website. As the tourism sector continues to grow, it is estimated that there will b… Check with your phone operator to find out about any roaming charges you might get from 1 January 2021. The press office is the first point of contact for all media requests. Read more about the role of the European Council, Amending regulation 2018/1806 to prepare for Brexit - confirmation of the final compromise text with a view to agreement, send your request to the public information service. If you’re a tourist, you won’t need a visa to be able to travel to most EU countries. Details of additional requirements for UK citizens travelling to Europe have also been released, covering areas such as healthcare, driving, and mobile roaming charges. This amounted to 468,923 visas. There are some exceptions, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons. All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated, Brexit: check how the new rules affect you, read the advice for travelling during the pandemic, buying travel insurance with the right cover, rules about taking food and drink into the, rules about taking plants and plant products into the. The European Council said in a statement: “EU ambassadors today agreed that, following Brexit, UK citizens coming to the Schengen area for a short stay (90 days in … From 1 February 2020, the UK is no longer a member of the EU ('Brexit'). It is also possible that UK travelers will have to apply for ETIAS program like other third-country nationals. Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. However, the European condition of reciprocity must apply. Council and European Council documents are made available through the public register, in accordance with EU rules on transparency. Brexit: No visa but Britons will pay €7 to travel to EU countries. Following Brexit, as a third country the United Kingdom will need to appear in one of these two lists. Will I need a visa for France after the Brexit deal? Currently you may not study for more than 30 days. This system will affect citizens of approximately sixty-two countries who currently enjoy visa-exempt travel to and within Europe and will include a post-Brexit Britain. As from the 1st of January 2021 you will need to apply for a visa to travel and to move to France (pursuant to the EU Directive 2004/38). As a general rule, UK nationals will not need visas to stay in EU countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, as long as they don't work, in accordance with the Schengen Borders Code. Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) will be valid if you’re travelling to an EU country. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Check your booking’s terms and conditions to find out more. People who can apply for the new card include: If you’re a tourist, you do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Ever since the Dutchman William of Orange (William III) became King of England and Scotland in the 17 th century, there has been a strong link between the UK and its North Sea neighbour, the Netherlands. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on how to get a visa or permit. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website. Press officers speak 'off the record' about the Council's activities. This means the end of free movement within the European Union for all British nationals, who, as a consequence, will no longer have the automatic right to work and study in the EEA and Switzerland as from 1 January 2021. The membership includes tour and online operators, intermediaries and wholesalers, European tourist boards, hotels, attractions, technology companies and other tourism and business service providers. Brexit means changes to UK passport holders' rights to travel, live and work in Europe. Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), read the advice for travelling during the pandemic before you plan your trip. However from January 1, 2021, the transition period will come to an end, meaning rules surrounding travel will officially change. You may need to renew your British passport earlier if you’re travelling to an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. embassy of the country you will be driving in. A BREXIT deal has been confirmed between the UK and the EU. The UK left the EU in January 2020, and for the last year the post-Brexit transition period has meant many restrictions on travel have remained the same. With your permission, we will use AT internet cookies to produce aggregated, anonymous data about our visitors' browsing and behaviour on our website. As of 1/1/2021 and as stipulated in the Regulation (EU) 2019/592 of the EU, “nationals of the United Kingdom who are British citizens will be exempt from the visa requirements when travelling to the territory of the Member States, for business, leisure or other purposes”. You can travel to and work in Ireland in the same way as before 1 January 2021. EU Nations account for 8 out of the top 10 countries whose holidaymakers visit the UK. Follow the guidance for taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad. After a difficult year for the tourism sector, […] Travellers can also stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Different rules apply to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania. You may need a visa or permit to stay for longer, to work or study, or for business travel. Also known informally as the EU Council, it is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies. "EU ambassadors today agreed that, following Brexit, UK citizens coming to the Schengen area for a short stay (90 days in any 180 days) should be granted visa-free travel." Follow the latest developments on policy-making and on legislation under negotiation. It helps organise and ensure the coherence of the Council's work and the implementation of its 18-month programme. The European Council brings together EU leaders at least four times a year. Committees and working parties handle the preparatory work on files before they are discussed at Council meetings. Here is everything you need to know about your holiday from January 1, including passports, visas, driving and travel insurance. Find out more about documents and publications. Some travel insurance policies only cover certain types of disruption. We feel that out of all the changes announced to UK visas after Brexit so far, the most extreme will be the fact that EU nationals will need to apply for one of the visas on par with everyone else. The Council of the EU is the institution representing the member states' governments. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone. The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. You can continue to use your passport as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay. In the year proceeding September 2018, Indians were granted the largest number of tourist visas to the UK. Otherwise, you can claim compensation if you used your credit card to buy it - you’ll be able to claim for payments between £100 and £30,000. The Council of the EU meets in different configurations depending on the topic discussed. Third country nationals, residing in the UK, are no longer automatically exempt from Airport Transit Visas (ATV) – depending on … The Commission would monitor the respect of the principle of reciprocity on a continuous basis and immediately inform the European Parliament and the Council of any developments which could endanger the respect of this principle. As Brexit approaches, some Conservative British MPs are arguing Britain should fast track tourist visas and loosen restrictions on work permits for Canadians and other Commonwealth citizens. This means that Brits will travel to Spain and other Schengen countries visa-free only if the same rights are granted to EU citizens visiting the UK. From the Buckingham Palace to the Roman Baths, the UK has a number of tourist sites. You can read advice on buying travel insurance with the right cover. If you’re a tourist, you will not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. ETOA is the trade association for tour operators and suppliers in European destinations, from global brands to local independent businesses. For example, going to meetings and conferences, providing services (even with a charity), and touring art or music. Check the rules about taking plants and plant products into the EU on the European Commission website. Shocked to be Europe's vaccination stragglers. The press office holds press events, offers audiovisual coverage of major events and provides facilities for journalists. You may enter the UK multiple times during that period, but you may not in effect live in the UK by means of repeat or continuous visits. We´d love to know what you think about our website. According to EU rules, visa exemption is granted on condition of reciprocity. This agreement was confirmed yesterday by EU ambassadors on behalf of the Council and by the European Parliament Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committee today. The Council of the EU and the European Council work on a wide range of issues affecting the interests of the EU and its citizens. We will use this data to improve your experience on our website. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Your phone operator will tell how you can do this. The Council and the European Parliament have agreed that, following Brexit, UK citizens coming to the Schengen area for a short stay (90 days in any 180 days) should be granted visa free travel. Visa policy towards third country citizens travelling to the Schengen area for a short stay is regulated under EU legislation. The guarantee of free mobile phone roaming throughout the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway has ended. “We hope the flights will resume early in … Your consumer rights have not changed since 1 January 2021. This means that if your travel is cancelled or delayed you may be able to claim a refund or compensation. This agreement was confirmed yesterday by EU ambassadors on behalf of the Council and by the European Parliament Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committee today. You might also need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have: Check with the embassy of the country you will be driving in. Indians and Chinese accounted for about 47% of the total tourist visas granted for the year. Tourist Visas to UK post Brexit. You may not work or access public funds. The General Secretariat of the Council is a body of staff responsible for assisting the European Council and the Council of the EU. The provision will apply for up to 90 days within a period of 180 days. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve government services. The Council and the European Parliament have agreed that, following Brexit, UK citizens coming to the Schengen area for a short stay (90 days in any 180 days) should be granted visa free travel. To get more information about these cookies, how and why we use them and how you can change your settings, check our cookies policy page. You can get in contact to arrange a visit, ask questions about the work of both institutions, and request a document, among other services. You get this cover even if it’s an EU company, as long as the company sells to UK customers. You can, in most cases, come to the UK for up to six months. From January 1, 2021, visas will not be required for tourists travelling to most EU countries. Similar to the ESTA visa waiver used by UK tourists traveling to the United States, this will allow UK citizens to travel into the Schengen Area without a visa, as long as they pay €7. If you’re taking your own vehicle, you will need a green card and a GB sticker. taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad, Check how the new Brexit rules affect you, Continue to live in the UK if you're an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, The arts, culture and heritage sectors from January 2021, The creative industries sector from January 2021, The media and broadcasting sectors from January 2021, The sports and recreation sector from January 2021, Switzerland: arrangements from 1 January 2021, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein: arrangements from 1 January 2021, Science, research and innovation sector: end of transition period guidance, Services sector: end of transition period guidance, Schools sector: new rules from January 2021, Higher education sector: new rules from January 2021, Life sciences sector: end of transition period guidance, Chemicals sector: end of transition period guidance, Retail sector: end of transition period guidance, Electronics and machinery sector: end of transition period guidance, Construction sector: end of transition period guidance, Metals and other materials sector: end of transition period guidance, Automotive sector: end of transition period guidance, Aerospace sector: end of transition period guidance, The digital, technology and computer services sectors from January 2021, Consumer goods sector: end of transition period guidance, Further education and apprenticeships: new rules from January 2021, Air, sea, road and rail transport between the UK and EU, Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support, Transparency and freedom of information releases, get travel insurance that covers your healthcare, check you have the right driving documents, organise pet travel - contact your vet at least 1 month before you go, be less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left), some British State Pensioners who live in the, a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, you will need to make a customs declaration if you. Certain cookies are used to obtain aggregated statistics about website visits to help us constantly improve the site and better serve your needs. Now, more than four years after the vote to leave the 27-nation bloc, Brexit reality is hitting home to ordinary people as well. You can use a UK passport to get medically necessary healthcare in Norway (for example emergency treatment, or to treat a pre-existing condition). About 120,000 Australians live in the UK, while 636,000 UK nationals were granted tourist, business or temporary visas in Australia in the last financial year. With no current requirement for any form of European or Schengen Visa, these visitors can enter the EU with little or no personal information available about them and can, therefore, pose security, criminal or medical risks.