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.
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
