Need some clarification about Brexit travel rules 31 December 2020 at 5:14PM in Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning 30 replies 771 views

CreditCardChris

Look at this list of changes the government put out. 

1. European travel rules change

From January, UK nationals will only able to travel without a visa to Schengen area countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period (this includes most EU nations and Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein). In addition, you will need to:

• Have at least six months left on your passport, except for trips to Ireland.
• Travel insurance with health cover. Your current EHIC card will be valid until its expiry date, and it will be replaced by a new scheme in the future, but the government still advises you to get travel insurance with health cover.
• Make sure you've checked roaming charges with your mobile provider, as the guarantee of free roaming will end.
• Obtained an animal health certificate from your vet at least 10 days before you travel, if you are travelling with your pet, including from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. The current EU pet passport scheme will no longer apply.
• At border control, you will have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens.

So it says "you will NEED to" 

and then says "the government ADVISES you to get travel insurance with health cover. So which is it? Am I legally required to have health cover and travel insurance to enter EU countries or is it just advised? 

daveyjp

Its a Governement web page, don't expect sense.

There is no need to have health or travel insurance for any foreign travel.  If you are wealthy enough you can self insure.

CreditCardChris

daveyjp said:

Its a Governement web page, don't expect sense.

There is no need to have health or travel insurance for any foreign travel.  If you are wealthy enough you can self insure.

So what you're saying is it's not a legal requirement to have health insurance or travel insurance of any kind? So if I need healthcare I can pay at the time out of my own pocket?

Westin

The sensible thing would be to have travel insurance. Always has been even with an EHIC card.  The alternative it seems is to expect others to pay for your misfortune and set up a Give-Me type crowd funding page when you fall off your scooter in Zante having had too many fishbowls.

jonesMUFCforever

Chris I do not wish to appear rude - but IMO you would be very stupid not to take out holiday/travel insurance when travelling to any country (in addition to any cover the EHIC card).

NottinghamKnight

CreditCardChris said:

daveyjp said:

Its a Governement web page, don't expect sense.

There is no need to have health or travel insurance for any foreign travel.  If you are wealthy enough you can self insure.

So what you're saying is it's not a legal requirement to have health insurance or travel insurance of any kind? So if I need healthcare I can pay at the time out of my own pocket?

Yes, and remember even with an ehic that only entitles you to cover to the same level as that country's nationals get, so you may well have to pay for things that are free in the uk, I believe visits to a GP are charged for in Ireland for example.

spiro

CreditCardChris said:

daveyjp said:

Its a Governement web page, don't expect sense.

There is no need to have health or travel insurance for any foreign travel.  If you are wealthy enough you can self insure.

So what you're saying is it's not a legal requirement to have health insurance or travel insurance of any kind? So if I need healthcare I can pay at the time out of my own pocket?

Yes, if you have the money to do that. As an example to get taken to hospital by ambulance in Spain will cost you about £150 which you have to pay on arrival unless you have insurance or EHIC which you need to carry with you 24/7.

TELLIT01

Even when we were in the EU it was an act of gross stupidy (in my mind) to travel without comprehensive travel insurance which would include cover for medical treatment.  Far too often there have been articles in the press or on the news about people how have chosen to save a few quid by travelling without, and then whinging about medical costs and expecting other people to bail them out.

giraffe69

Quite a few travel companies won't willingly have you on package holidays if you don't have some insurance(they, of course, would rather you purchased theirs!)

CreditCardChris

7 replies and only 2 people actually answered my question. The other 5 felt the need to give me a moral lecture. 
Maybe give your opinions and advice when people actually ask for it? Other than that just answer the question that was asked. Cheers.

couriervanman

"So it says "you will NEED to" 
and then says "the government ADVISES you to get travel insurance with health cover. So which is it? Am I legally required to have health cover and travel insurance to enter EU countries or is it just advised?"

Well common sense says get travel insurance alongside EHIC card......stupidity says travel without and get lumbered with huge bill if you fall ill.....what's so hard to understand

You have always been advised to take out travel insurance to use alongside the EHIC card which just covers basic care