As you will all be aware, the date for the UK’s departure from the European Union is fast approaching.
With this in mind, here is some information for travellers visiting the UK from the continent.
- EU citizens will still be able to visit the UK after the EU Exit and will be warmly welcomed.
- Flights will continue to operate
- The documents EU nationals visiting the UK need to show at UK ports and airports will not change, a visa will not be required for leisure and business visits and you will be able to travel with ID cards until 2021 and use e-gates when travelling on a biometric passport for quick and easy entry to the UK.
- The UK Government has published guidance for EU nationals visiting the UK after Brexit – The guidance also covers driving, travelling with pets and using your mobile phone in the UK etc. Please see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visiting-the-uk-after-brexit for the latest official information.
- More than two-thirds of the UK’s inbound tourism visits come from Europe (about 27 million visits annually). Europe has been and always will be an incredibly important market and tourism has a crucial role in offering a warm welcome to the many millions of European visitors who travel to Britain each year.
- VisitBritain is working to inform visitors about the practicalities and encourage visits post Brexit – and to reassure visitors that the UK’s warm welcome remains the same as do its breath-taking landscapes, world-famous culture, rich heritage and vibrant cities and that it is always a great time to visit Britain. Please check out their website for more information and advice.
- Please ensure you check regulations in your home country too before travelling to the UK this summer
Once here you must declare to customs:
- anything over your duty free allowance
- any banned or restricted goods in the UK, for example meat and dairy products from most non-EU countries
- goods that you plan to sell
- more than €10,000 (or its equivalent) in cash, if you’re coming from outside the EU
Please note – you and your baggage may be checked for anything you must declare.
Also – there may be longer queues than previously at passport control after the EU Exit, so please bear this in mind.
Plans for travellers have yet to be confirmed, but after 31st January, the UK will enter into a transition period, when many finer details will be established.
We look forward to welcoming you to the UK, to your tours and meeting all you fabulous, interesting and well travelled folk in 2020!
