Brexit Travel Guidance

With continued uncertainty over Brexit we wanted to provide some guidance to you around travel issues.

The information provided has been put together by Chubb using various sources, including the UK Government.

Depending on how the situation develops, it might be necessary for us to update this information again if further clarification is required.

You should also check whether the COVID-19 pandemic could affect your travel plans. This is especially important following the restrictions imposed on travel from the UK by countries in Europe and elsewhere in December 2020.

Visit the UK Government’s https://www.gov.uk/ website for advice. Find out the latest information for the destination you intend to visit at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

The following information is correct as of 22 December 2020.

The UK Government has published a web page Visit Europe from 1 January 2021 which provides essential information around travel, passports, border controls, driving, healthcare and travel insurance.

According to the Government’s web page Visit Europe from 1 January 2021 

Travel to the EU*, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein will change from 1 January 2021.

(*The EU Countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.)

Things you may need to do before you go include:

• Check your passport
• Get travel insurance that covers your healthcare
• Check you have the right driving documents
• Organise pet travel - contact your vet at least one month before you go

There are more things to do if you’re travelling for business. For example, going to meetings and conferences, providing services (even with a charity), and touring art or music. Information on travelling for business can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021/business-travel-extra-requirements [Source: UK Government]

You may need to renew your British passport earlier if you’re travelling from 1 January 2021.

On the day you travel, you’ll need your passport to both:

• Have at least 6 months left
• Be less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left)

If you do not renew your passport, you may not be able to travel to most EU countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

You can check whether your passport is valid for the country you’re visiting here:

https://www.gov.uk/check-a-passport-travel-europe-1-january-2021

These rules do not apply to travel to Ireland. You can continue to use your passport as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay. [Source: UK Government]

If you’re a tourist, you will not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Different rules will apply to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania. If you visit these countries, visits to other EU countries will not count towards the 90-day total.

You may need a visa or permit to stay for longer, to work or study, or for business travel. Information on travelling for business can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021/business-travel-extra-requirements [Source: UK Government]

The UK Government has produced a special website detailing your rights as a passenger after Brexit. Its web page Visit Europe from 1 January 2021 provides information on:

• Passports
• Healthcare
• Entering other countries
• Border control
• Visas
• Travel – including Business Travel
• Driving
• Compensation if your travel is disrupted
• Pet travel

About 27 million people in the UK have European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) - which entitle the holder to state-provided medical treatment in the EU and other countries which have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Brussels. They cover pre-existing medical conditions and emergency care.

You should always get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you go abroad.

EHICs will be valid up to 31 December 2020. It’s particularly important you get travel insurance with the right cover if you have a pre-existing medical condition. This is because the EHIC scheme covers pre-existing conditions, while many travel insurance policies do not. [Source: UK Government]

The scope of insurance cover under our policies will not change as a result of Brexit. However, please note that claims due to travel disruption, such as cancellation costs, re-arrangement costs, or travel delay benefits, which are as a result of Brexit may not be covered as these benefits become applicable only in specific circumstances. Please refer to your policy wording for full terms and conditions.

That’s set to be the same as it is now once the UK leaves the EU - so passengers may be entitled to Travel Delay benefits if the delay is due to the scheduled departure of Public Transport being affected by a strike, mechanical breakdown or grounding of an aircraft due to mechanical or structural defect. Cover for delays will only be provided in these specific circumstances.

Depending on the scope of cover provided by your Chubb policy, the transfer of ‘refundable’ emergency funds may be available up to the stated policy limit in the event that access to normal financial/banking arrangements is not available locally. Customers should contact Chubb’s emergency assistance company, shown in their policy, to access this service.

There would not be cover for this under Chubb travel insurance policies

We hope you find this information useful. If you would like further details about Chubb’s plans for Brexit visit chubb.com/Brexit