Travel advice
Passport:
British Passport Holders - Passports should have at least 6 months validity remaining on them from the date of travel and be less than 10 years old (except for travel to Ireland). If the traveller renewed a 10-year adult passport before it expired, extra months may have been added to the passport’s expiry date: these extra months will not count.
Check the entry requirements of the country you are visiting
Remember that it can take up to 10 weeks to get a new passport, and it will take longer for postal applications. We advise travellers to check the validity of their passport at the earliest opportunity.
British passport holders will no longer be able to use the EU or EEA passport lanes, therefore longer border control queues at the airport should be expected. In addition to their passport, travellers may be asked to show:
- A return or onward ticket
- That they have sufficient money for their stay
We also recommend that all non-British passport holders have a minimum of 6 months left on their passport when re-entering the UK.
Insurance:
Your package includes travel insurance which provides cover for medical expenses.
You can read more about our insurance policy here
Health:
Any current European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) will continue to be valid for travel in the EU and travellers will only need to apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) when their current EHIC expires. Both cards will offer equivalent protection for emergency and medically necessary healthcare needs when in the EU on a temporary stay. The new GHIC card is free to obtain from the official GHIC website.
Further information about GHIC can be found here
Visas:
Full details of visa and entry requirements for all countries can be found here. We recommend that all visa requirements are completed at least two months prior to departure. N.B. Non-British nationals/non-British passport holders may require visas/transit visas and it is the responsibility of the individual to check all passport and visa requirements with the Embassy of the country (or countries) to or through which they are travelling.
UK citizens do not need a visa for short trips to countries in the EU and to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. You can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
ETIAS, EES and ESTA:
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is planned to be launched in the first half of 2025, for travel to EU member states. Current advice is that an ETIAS will be valid for 3 years, will cost 7 Euros (free to under 18s) and will need to be applied for online before departure.
Further information about the ETIAS system can be found here
Another EU border scheme, called the Entry/Exit System (EES), is also in 2025. Under the EES scheme, people entering the EU will have to register fingerprints, a photo and passport details.
That initial registration will be valid for three years, during which time it will need to be validated every time someone crosses the border. This will replace passport stamping.
Further information about the EES can be found here
Passport holders from the UK and other eligible countries can travel to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program by obtaining an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). The help area on the ESTA website provides comprehensive information on the application process.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for UK Travel:
Starting from 8 January 2025, non-European visitors will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK. European visitors will be able to apply for an ETA from 5 March 2025, before it is required for travel from the 2 April 2025. This requirement applies to all visitors who do not need a visa for short stays and who do not already have UK immigration status. British and Irish citizens are excluded.
Applying for an ETA
- Visitors can apply for an ETA through the GOV.UK website.
- The cost of an ETA is £10, and it permits multiple journeys within its validity period.
- An ETA lasts for 2 years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever is sooner.
- The ETA is digitally linked to the traveller’s passport.
- Approval typically takes approximately 3 working days.
- You will need to upload a photo of your passport and yourself, answer some questions about yourself and pay for your application.
Group Applications
- Each person in a group must apply separately for an ETA, however Group Leaders can apply for their group members.
- Decisions on ETA applications may be received at different times, even if all applications were submitted together.
French School Groups Exemption
- French school groups have a temporary exemption from the ETA requirement while the British Government develops a long-term solution.
- This applies to groups of 5 or more children aged 18 or under from schools in France.
- Each child must have certain documents depending on their nationality, the details of which you can find here.
- School Headteachers must complete a form to be sent to the prefecture at least 15 days before departure, along with:
- the children’s authorisations to leave the country, signed by their parent or guardian
- the copies of the parents’ identity documents
- French schools will need to travel with two copies of the form to show to a Border Force Officer on arrival in the UK to check the form and relevant documentation is correct, keeping one copy of the form.
Data roaming:
The guarantee of free mobile phone roaming throughout the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway has ended. Check with your phone operator to find out about any roaming charges you may incur whilst away.
Food & drink:
There are now restrictions in place over taking specific food products into European countries. Travellers cannot take meat or milk products (or any products containing them) into the EU.
More information about food & drink restrictions can be found here
Useful travel advice can be found at the following websites:
Guidance on staying safe and healthy abroad
Travel health resources of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC)
Information on how to stay safe and healthy abroad
If you have any specific questions, please get in touch.
Information correct as of August 2024
