Travelling after Brexit

For the latest Brexit travel advice, please visit the government links below.

 

Important Update: As of 1st January 2022 the rules pertaining to commercial goods vehicles have changed. These new rules and requirements apply to all new bookings and existing bookings for travel from 1st January 2022.

 

Passenger Travel Requirements

Travelling from Britain to the EU >>

Travelling from the Republic of Ireland to Britain >>

 

Pet Travel

The rules for travelling with your dog, cat or ferret from Britain to the EU (including pets returning to the Republic of Ireland from Britain) and pet travel between Northern Ireland and Britain have changed. For more details please visit the links below.

Travelling with Pets from Britain to the EU >>

Travelling with Pets between Britain and Northern Ireland >>

Travelling with Pets from Republic of Ireland to Britain >>

Yes the restrictions below apply.

 

Taking food and drink into EU countries

You can no longer take products of animal origin, such as any food or drink contain meat or dairy, or plants and plant products into the EU in your luggage, vehicle, or person. There are certain exemptions to this rule for quantities of powdered infant milk, infant food, confectionary, specialised foods and pet feed. If your item is not exempt, please consume or dispose of these items before reaching the EU border, otherwise you may be fined or prosecuted by the EU. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website and view the Exports Fact Sheet for Personal imports from Britain to the EU (pdf).

 

Taking plants and plant products into EU countries

You will need a certificate to take certain plants and plant products into EU countries. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website. 

 

Taking food and drink into EU countries

You can no longer take products of animal origin, such as any food or drink contain meat or dairy, or plants and plant products into the EU in your luggage, vehicle, or person. There are certain exemptions to this rule for quantities of powdered infant milk, infant food, confectionary, specialised foods and pet feed. If your item is not exempt, please consume or dispose of these items before reaching the EU border, otherwise you may be fined or prosecuted by the EU. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website. 

 

View full details on UK government advice when travelling to the EU. 

Check the issue date of your passport. You may be required to have at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport for outward travel and 3 months validity when you return from the last country visited in the Schengen area.

 

For latest information, visit the UK Government’s advice on passport rules for travelling to Europe after Brexit.

 

Please note that from the 1st of October 2021 you will need a passport to travel to the UK. You are not able to enter UK with an EU, EEA or Swiss national ID card.

 

To check the time remaining on your passport, go to: https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/check-a-passport

 

Travelling to the Republic of Ireland

Travelling to Ireland is subject to the Common Travel Area arrangements. For further details see the UK Government’s foreign travel advice. 

 

The above Q&A is based on latest government advice which may be subject to change.

No, if you hold a passport from an EU member state. UK passport holders will not need a visa to travel to Ireland or the Continent for trips of up to 90 days however the continuation of this arrangement is dependant on further negotiations. The same applies vice versa: holders of Irish and other EU passports do not need a visa to travel to the UK. Visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports for general information on passports before your journey:

 

The above Q&A is based on latest government advice which may be subject to change.

Yes you can still bring your pet (dog, cat, ferret) on holidays with you to the EU provided they meet with the relevant requirements below. A maximum of 5 pets is allowed. Pet owners are advised to visit a vet 1 month in advance of travel to ensure their pet has the necessary certification and vaccines and are encouraged to read the latest government advice about travelling from Britain to Northern Ireland or the European Union with pets.

 

The UK has Part 2 listed status under the EU Pet Travel Scheme, meaning that people travelling from Britain with their pets and assistance dogs will need to follow new requirements in order to travel to the EU and Northern Ireland.

Before taking their dog, cat or ferret to the EU for the first time post Brexit, pet owners must complete the following steps. The only new requirement for travel to the EU is the use of a certificate, rather than a pet passport:

  • Ensure their dog, cat or ferret is microchipped.
  • Ensure that their dog, cat or ferret is vaccinated against rabies – pets must be at least 12 weeks old before they can be vaccinated.
  • Wait 21 days after the primary vaccination before travel
  • Dogs must be treated against tapeworm 24-120 hours before landing, if they are travelling to a tapeworm free country.
  • Visit their vet to get an animal health certificate (AHC) for their pet, no more than 10 days before travel to the EU.

 

Pets and assistance dogs will also need to enter the EU through a travellers’ point of entry (TPE).

 

All of these requirements will also apply for movements of pets and assistance dogs from Britain to Northern Ireland. However recognising that these changes will take time to adjust to, the UK Government is working with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on an enforcement approach that takes this challenge into account. This approach will be implemented in a way which supports pet owners and assistance dog users while the Government pursues a permanent solution. 

 

There are no changes to the current health preparations or documents for pets entering Britain from the EU or Northern Ireland.

 

Useful links:

UK government advice for travelling with pets to the EU

NL government advice for travelling with pets to Britain or the EU

Republic of Ireland government advice for travelling with pets to Britain

You will not need an International Driving Permit (IDP)  to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK.

 

However you may need an IDP to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have either:

  • a paper licence
  • a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man

 

Read more about IDP requirements here

 

The above Q&A is based on latest government advice which may be subject to change.

You will not need an International Driving Permit (IDP)  to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK.

 

However you may need an IDP to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have either:

  • a paper licence
  • a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man

 

Read more about IDP requirements here

 

The above Q&A is based on latest government advice which may be subject to change.

UK European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) will remain valid for emergency medical care in an EU country until the card has reached its expiry date and will not be renewed thereafter. The EHIC card will be replaced by Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).

 

Don’t forget that an EHIC or GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. It is always best to be covered when travelling abroad and ABTA recommends you take out a comprehensive travel policy before making any trip. See the UK Government's advice on foreign travel insurance here. 

 

The above Q&A is based on latest government advice which may be subject to change.

Travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland 

If one or more of the following applies to your shipment, it must be booked via our freight reservation office by calling 01772 368195 or email stenaline@freightlink.co.uk

1. Vans/Horseboxes regardless of size carrying commercial or chargeable goods which are subject to import/export customs declarations.

2. A UK Goods Movement Reference (GMR) is required.

3. If a VAT invoice is required.

 

Prior to making your booking and providing the declaration at time of booking you should check the guidance https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-how-to-declare-personal-goods-you-bring-into-or-take-out-of-the-uk. GMRs are required for all commercial / chargeable movements from GB to NI and in a very few cases from NI to GB.

 

Declaration required at time of booking:  I confirm that I have read the gov.uk guidance referred to above and I can confirm that I am not carrying commercial or chargeable goods which are subject to import/export customs declarations and that I have no requirement for a GMR.

 

Travelling from Great Britain to the Republic of Ireland

If one or more of the following applies to your shipment, it must be booked via our freight reservation office by calling 01772 368195 or email stenaline@freightlink.co.uk

1. Vans commercially registered in Ireland.

2. Vans regardless of size carrying commercial or chargeable goods which are subject to import/export customs declarations

3. Either (or both) a UK Goods Movement Reference (GMR) or an Irish Pre Boarding Notification (PBN) is required 

4. Vehicles / horseboxes carrying a horse or pony. 5. If a VAT invoice is required.

 

Prior to making your booking and providing the declaration at time of booking you should check the guidance at both https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-how-to-declare-personal-goods-you-bring-into-or-take-out-of-the-uk and https://www.revenue.ie/en/customs-traders-and-agents/customs-electronic-systems/customs-roro-service/examples-of-ferry-consignments-that-need-a-pbn.aspx. GMRs are required for all commercial/chargeable movements from GB to ROI from 1/1/22, but will not be required for these movements between ROI and GB until a later date (to be confirmed). PBNs are required for all commercial / chargeable movements, in both directions, currently.

 

Declaration required at time of booking:  I confirm that I have read both the gov.uk and revenue.ie  guidance referred to above and I can confirm that I am not carrying commercial or chargeable goods which are subject to import/export customs declarations in either or both the UK and Ireland, that I have no requirement for a GMR or PBN, and my vehicle is not registered and taxed as a commercial vehicle in Ireland.