How will we travel after Brexit?

Travellers worry how will Brexit affect travel, will customs procedures take longer, which air passenger rights stay the same in cases of delayed, cancelled or overbooked flights, will passengers be eligible to flight delay compensation.

With the purpose to inform, Skycop, flight compensation company, has collected all the facts about what air travellers should know about Brexit and how it will affect the air travel that we have become familiar with.

The United Kingdom must complete all procedures for withdrawal from the European Union by 31 October. There are 2 scenarios, how the UK might leave the EU: either to agree with the EU on certain conditions for withdrawal and further cooperation or to execute Brexit without any agreement. However, no one really knows how things will eventually work out.

In further outlines, you will find how any of these outcomes will affect travellers. If the United Kingdom leaves the EU ‘with an agreement’, travel arrangements to that country will not change until 2021. However, if Brexit happens without an agreement, things are going to get a little more interesting.

Will I need a visa to travel to the UK from now on?

With the United Kingdom leaving the EU without an agreement, Irish citizens will continue to be able to submit, live and work without a visa. Citizens of the European Union and the European Economic Area will be able to travel with passport or valid national ID card to the United Kingdom until 2020 December 31. Citizens of other countries will have to check the validity of their passport and learn how to obtain a UK visa.

Skycop emphasizes, that After 2020 identity cards for citizens of the European Economic Area countries will no longer be accepted for entry into the United Kingdom, but the exact date when this restriction will come into effect will be announced later.

How baggage requirements will change after Brexit?

In this regard, you still have to keep in mind the limits set by your carrier – regardless of Brexit. For the time being, the United Kingdom itself has no plans to impose additional restrictions on anything you are used to carry in your suitcase when travelling to the British Isles. 

Skycop reminds that one more thing that may seem a bit unusual for EU citizens: anyone, who brings more than £10k in cash to the UK with them, will have to declare them to customs. However, this requirement was already valid earlier for non-EU citizens. 

Will tariffs for phone calls change?

Another important point to note is that mobile phone and roaming charges will now be in the order set by the UK itself. If Brexit comes to an ‘agreement’, everything will remain as it has been until now. Existing rates are set by appropriate regulations that will not change and remain in effect due to Brexit, including for the UK. However, if the British leave the EU without any agreement, these rates will jump up, depending on the operator. 

What changes can British citizens expect when travelling?

But what if you have British nationality and want to travel to the EU country? In particular, you must carry a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry into this country. In addition, the UK citizens may be required to show a return ticket and proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of the stay in the EU.

However, there is a 99% probability that whether or not Brexit leaves “with or without” an agreement, UK citizens travelling to the EU will have to obtain entry into the Community via the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), the same as other countries citizens travelling to the EU do. 

If you are a UK citizen, your current EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) will no longer be valid after Brexit, so you will have to look for other health insurance alternatives.

Skycop highlights that British citizens travelling to EU countries will be charged for mobile roaming. Specific rates will be set individually for each mobile carrier.

What rights air passengers will have in cases of delayed or cancelled flights?

Air travellers can still receive compensation for disrupted flights when travelling to or from the United Kingdom. However, the standard restrictions still apply and the future of flight compensation after the Brexit is unknown.

No matter what, if you experienced a flight delay, cancellation or denied boarding due to overbooking, the compensation you owe is still yours. You will find a list of Best Rated Flight Compensation Companies on our website with their reviews. Choose and Claim.

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