From airport surcharges and flight cancellations to travel insurance and driving licencing, here are four things you need to know before your next holiday.
If you’re like me, I try to spend at least one week getting away to Spain or Portugal to get some holiday sun each year. I like to ensure I not only get my annual dose of Vitamin D, but I achieve a slight tan on my pale white skin to become the envy of all my non-tanned friends (I just hope my tan will last for longer than 2018’s record of 10 days).
Each year millions of people from across the UK, including people from across our region prepare for their holidays to countries such as Spain, Portugal, or Greece. But many of those all too popular sun, sea, and sand destinations are in the EU and we will not be after 29 March 2019.
So, given the current state of the government’s Brexit negotiations, is it still smart to book a European holiday for Easter, the May half-term, or during the summer months?
Although there are many variables in the UK’s Brexit deal with the EU (I know, I know… you’re probably be tired of hearing about Brexit too) but most of what matters in the short term (i.e. this year’s holidays 😀 ) we’re still in the Brexit transition period, so that means most travel regulations and laws should be unchanged until at least 2020!
1 – What does Brexit mean for flights and holidays in general?
In summary, in the event of a brexit deal being achieved, nothing should change in the short term during the transition period that would take us into December 2020. And in the no-deal scenario, the European Commission has advised UK airlines will still continue to operate flights between the United Kingdom and EU.
While I looking around for some holiday deals from Newcastle just after the Brexit Deadline I found a deal for £194pp for 7 nights in the Algarve with a hotel room and return flights.
No I totally admit, I spend FAR too much time searching for holidays and procrastinating instead of working …but because of this I have a pretty good idea about pricing and what’s on offer!
So the price is actually quite similar to the same as it was this time last year. The prices and deals are still available in 2019 pre-Brexit for people like me who want some Easter sun.
I found this…
A holiday deal to the Algarve, Portugal with OnTheBeach from Newcastle Airport during the Easter Holidays for 7 days for two.
2 – What about holiday protection?
Always remember, when you book a holiday with a UK travel company or tour operator – belonging to ABTA or ABTOT – a package holiday is is fully protected under Package Travel Regulations, which ensure that you will be entitled to a full refund if your holiday can no longer run for any reason.
There is nothing to suggest, though, that any travel plans would be changed or revoked post-Brexit, even in a no-deal scenario!
3 – How to Brexit-proof your travel money
As much as we hate to hear about it in the news, exchange rates are
In fact, the value of sterling is higher against the Euro today than it was in January 2018.
If you’re looking to lock in today’s exchange rate and you’re got your travel money put aside, you may want to go-ahead and take your British pounds straight to the foreign exchange bureau.
I’m not
I don’t think there is need to worry about the British pound £ being worth less later in 2019 than it is now! – I say this because of the little gain/loss between the two currencies in the last year.
4 – What about travel documents?
The mainstream media has been ridiculous on this point, and it’s really not fair spreading this type of misinformation to people, so I’ll be straight up HONEST with you!
The only change to passport advice before 2021 is the recommendation to have 6 months validity from your arrival date! This applies from 29 March 2019.
So, what about visas when travelling to the EU after
No – You will not require a visa to travel – the European Commission announced in November that, even in a no-deal scenario, UK travellers can still visit the EU without a visa, providing the same is offered to European citizens visiting the UK.
If you have an EHIC card, this will remain valid in the event of a Brexit deal, though ABTA’s recommendation is always to arrange appropriate travel insurance
Conclusion : Tracy’s Brexit-proof Holiday Guide
I really hope my guide was helpful for you, and I think you’ll agree my main point:
“Nothing much will change to affect your EU holiday in the short term.”
If you’d like to get the OnTheBeach holiday deal I mentioned, just click here.
By the way, if you’re wondering about School Holidays for 2019, I searched for a while to get the right ones. So, I just bookmarked the table below. I hope it helps you too
I found the England 2019 School Holidays dates from https://www.schoolholidayseurope.eu/school-holidays-2019-uk/
| Holiday | Start Date | End Date | Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| February half term 2019 | 18-02-2019 | 22-02-2019 | 8 – 9 |
| Easter holidays 2019 | 08-04-2019 | 26-04-2019 | 15-16-17 |
| Summer break 2019 (May half term) | 27-05-2019 | 31-05-2019 | 22 |
| Summer holiday 2019 | 15-07-2019 | 06-09-2019 | 29-36 |
| Autumn break 2019 (October half term) | 21-10-2019 | 01-11-2019 | 43 – 44 |
| Christmas holiday 2019 | 23-12-2019 | 03-01-2020 | 52 – 1 |
Hope this helps, If you have any questions about my first article on Durham Magazine – just let me know.
If you like (or dislike ) my very first travel article, please let me know why in the comments section below or on Durham Magazine’s Facebook Page.
