Just a few more weeks and we will be seeing big changes once the United Kingdom will
become a non-EU country on January 1st 2021. This means that its citizens will cease being EU
nationals. Britons will also stop enjoying several benefits that they have enjoyed so far due to
their EU nationality, including travel facilities.

When January 1st strikes, Brits will no longer be bale to avail of the great benefits of have an
EU nationality. Many things will change when it comes to travel. With a Non-EU passports Brits
will have to follow the rules of travel that all other third-country citizens follow, as passport rules,
a limited number of the days stay in EU, health insurance access and a lot more ..
So let’s begin – New passport rules! One of the most important things to consider next year is
that a UK national’s passport may not qualify for entry in the EU..

While the EU and UK have agreed to grant the citizens of each other with the possibility of visa-
free short-term visits, the EU has some passport rules that it applies to all third-countries, and

the UK will be no exception.
Brits must travel with ID and other documentation and must meet the strict criteria below:
The passport must be valid for at least another 6 months on the day its holder travels to EU
The passport can not be older than ten years on the day its holder travels to EU
UK started reissuing its iconic blue passports without the words ‘European Union’ in March 2020
As per burgundy passports and those that have the words ‘European Union’ on the cover, they
will remain valid until the day they expire; therefore, holders of such passports do not need to
renew them if they meet the other two conditions listed above.
At the same time, passports with extra months added from the previous passports, will not have
their extra months counted.
“If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra month may have
been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count
towards the 6 months needed,” the UK the government explains.

Longer waiting times at airports
All airports located in EU have two types of gates for arrivals, one for EU nationals and the other
for third-country nationals which means that Britons will now join the second queue.
British nationals will also encounter more procedures at border checks.
“As a non-EEA national, different border checks will apply when travelling to other EU or
Schengen area countries,” the UK government points out.
In addition to showing their passports that comply with the rules explained above, at border
control, Britons may need to:

present a return or onward ticket
prove they have enough money for their stay
they will also have their passports stamped

Limited stay in EU
Brits will be subject to the 90/180 days of stay rule which is applied for all third-country citizens,
including Americans, Bangladeshis, Canadians, Moroccans, etc.
The rule is valid in almost all EU members, and through it, the Union limits the stay on non-EU
passport holders in its territory to a maximum of 90 days within any 180 days period.
Britons will be eligible to stay only six months per year in the EU countries, always by being
careful not to stay for more than 90 days in every 180-day period, and keeping in mind that the
90-day rule applies to the total number of days for all countries in the Schengen Zone.
Violating this rule has its consequences, as those who stay in the EU beyond 90 days in any
180-day period are fined and even deported to their countries. They may also be banned from
re-entering.
Travel Insurance
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which has covered Britons travelling to every part
of the EU, even for emergency care, pre-existing medical conditions and maternity care, will not
be valid after December 2020 for the majority.
Britons will have to buy travel insurance that covers any medical emergency up to the amount of
€30,000, including repatriation to the UK in case of death.
Those who do not take travel insurance and go through an unexpected illness or accident will
face expensive medical treatment.
Travelling with pets rules
The EU authorities classify people travelling to EU with pets in three lists, according to which
they set the rules and conditions of entry for nationals of each non-EU country.
The UK has applied to be listed, if it is listed in the first, there will be little to no changes.
Whereas if it is listed in the second or third more changes will take place for those travelling with
a pet to the EU from January 1 and on.

Extra docs for driving in Europe! As of January 1, UK nationals travelling to EU will need extra
documents, including an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some countries.
“If you’re taking your own vehicle, you will also need a ‘green card’ and a GB sticker,” the

government notes.

The ‘green card’, which is free and can be obtained by individuals through their
insurance company shows the car is covered by insurance when driving in Europe.
The GB sticker shows that the vehicle is registered and should be displayed at the
rear of the vehicle. It is obligatory for UK drivers even when driving to the Republic of
Ireland.

Mobile Roaming charges - As on January 1 the guarantee of free mobile phone roaming
throughout the EU will end.
Brits will have to check with their phone operator to find out about any possible roaming
charges. But it’s not all that bad! Three, Vodafone, O2 and EE, have already announced that
they have no plans to reintroduce roaming charges, regardless of the outcome of negotiations
between the UK and EU.