ABTA Reframes Brexit Travel Advice as a Practical Checklist for EU Trips

Now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, travel to Europe works a little differently, and the travel association ABTA has distilled the changes into practical guidance for holidaymakers. The core message is simple: plan early and check the details before you go, because several rules that did not apply to UK travellers before Brexit now do.

Alongside ABTA's advice, travellers are encouraged to read the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) guidance for their destination, as some requirements vary from country to country.

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Passport and entry essentials

The first checks concern your passport. For trips to the EU (except Ireland), as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, a British passport must be issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country, and valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave. Because passports issued before October 2018 sometimes carried extra months, it is worth checking both the issue and expiry dates carefully.

On the length of stay, UK passport holders can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the EU without a visa for tourism or business. Longer stays require checking the destination's visa rules. Travellers to Ireland are treated differently: under the long-standing Common Travel Area, the new passport and visa requirements do not apply, though it is still wise to confirm the latest advice.

New border systems: EES and ETIAS

Two EU systems are central to the post-Brexit picture. The Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces manual passport stamping with a digital record of entries and exits, and began rolling out from October 2025. At the border, UK travellers may need to use the lanes for non-EU visitors and could be asked to show a return ticket or proof of funds.

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Toward the end of 2026, the EU aims to introduce the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a visa-waiver similar to the United States' ESTA and valid for three years. Once it is live, British passport holders will need to apply and pay through the official ETIAS website before travelling; the system is not yet accepting applications. If you want to understand the steps in advance, see how to start an ETIAS application so the new requirement does not catch you out.

Health, driving and everyday practicalities

Beyond documents, several everyday matters changed. A valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can be used until it expires, after which travellers can apply for the free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC); comprehensive travel insurance is still essential. Mobile roaming charges may now apply, so check with your provider before travelling.

Drivers may need a UK car sticker and, with some older paper licences, an international driving permit. Pet owners now need an Animal Health Certificate rather than the old pet passport, arranged through a vet shortly before travel. Finally, UK residents count as non-EU visitors for shopping, which can mean reclaiming VAT on eligible purchases taken home in your luggage. Ticking off these items in advance keeps the trip itself stress-free.