Deal or no deal…?

In terms of travel and Brexit, there remain unanswered questions regarding the impact that Brexit may have on international travel, passports/visas, travel insurance and suchlike, and the bottom line is that these questions will most likely remain a topic of concern and debate far beyond the 29th March… 

In recent weeks however, a number of key travel bodies have released new information in relation to the UK’s eventual split from the EU, which supports the advice of ABTA and the British Government; that travel should not be adversely impacted by Brexit, regardless of whether we leave the EU with a deal or no deal..

Aviation Minister, Elizabeth Sugg has stated that, “Measures put forward by the UK and the EU will ensure that flights can continue in any scenario; deal or no deal” and maintains that, “This is good news, not only for the industry but most importantly it reaffirms the fact that passengers can book flights with confidence, as normal.”

As regards passports, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office have advised that, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the stipulation would be that we would require six months validity on our passports from our date of arrival – so it may well be worth double-checking your passport expiry date, to ensure that your passport meets the requirement for your next planned holiday.

In terms of Visas, the European Commission has approved a proposal that allows British citizens visa-free travel to EU states even if no deal is reached; which means 90 days of travel within a 180-day period will remain visa-free for British citizens within the Schengen area. The 26 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The Government is however warning travellers that our European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) may no longer be valid in the event of a no deal scenario…  although future use of the card and reciprocal agreements may still be renegotiated once the UK leaves the EU. Travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth Office is to check the specific arrangements with each country and of course to take out separate travel insurance to cover any healthcare requirements.

Deal or no deal, a comprehensive travel insurance policy is vital when travelling abroad. If indeed Brexit does cause disruption to travel, cover will depend on the clauses within the policy. As a rule, any policy taken out before the disruption should cover you, but the question remains as to whether insurers will deem Brexit to be outside of the control of travel companies. This is an area I continue to watch with interest…

Another fear seems to be that ports and airports could come to a standstill due to airspace restrictions following a no-deal exit from the EU. The European Commission has recently stated that no aircraft will be grounded even if no deal is reached, and in an interview with the Mail on Sunday an ABTA spokesperson said: “Anyone who books and pays for a package holiday through a UK travel company will receive a full refund for that holiday if it cannot be provided due to Brexit.”  However, as Brexit may be considered a circumstance beyond the control of travel companies, any additional compensation is unlikely.

Whilst the main travel concerns and discussion seem to centre around passports, visas and travel insurance, there is also a lot of talk regarding the potential rise in the cost of holidays…

The value of the British pound dropped following the referendum in 2016 and has been yo-yoing ever since. There’s absolutely no way to predict what will happen in March; although some people are surmising that a no-deal Brexit could see the pound weaken, whilst a a deal may see it rise.

The UK is one of the biggest markets when it comes to tourism within Europe, so it is unlikely that we will see an intentional increase in holiday pricing; that said however, the weakness of the pound against other currencies will certainly have a significant impact on ‘holiday costs’ in real terms. One way to avoid the potentially expensive impact of such fluctuations in currency, is to opt for an all-inclusive holiday option, thus protecting yourself from the impact of the weakness in the pound; provided of course that you remain within your resort.

…for those who prefer to venture outside their hotel and favour not being confined to an all-inclusive resort, why not consider the option of a cruise holiday; giving you the benefit of the ‘all-inclusive’ package on board, as well as the opportunity to enjoy a variety of ports of call by simply by pre-purchasing your excursions as part of your cruise package, thus avoiding any additional damage to your pocket by currency fluctuations.

With our Brexit Assurance, you know your cruise holiday is protected in the event of any outcome on the 29th March, and with deposits from just £1 per person and experts to assist you every step of the way; we are on hand for any questions you may have and we look forward to being your trusted holiday partner through Brexit and beyond…