These are the changes UK citizens are facing in a no-deal Brexit
The outcome of Brexit is still currently unknown, so it’s only natural UK citizens may be wondering about the likes of travel, passports and even pets.
And in the event of a no-deal Brexit, a lot of things will change.
For example, UK citizens will now need to get a green card from their car insurance company if they wish to drive on European roads, and animals will need vaccinations.
For example, UK citizens will now need to get a green card from their car insurance company if they wish to drive on European roads, and animals will need vaccinations
Here Metro.co.uk lists the changes you should be aware of, ahead of March 29.
Driving
At the moment, UK licence holding drivers living in the UK need an International Driving Permit (IDP) as well as their UK licence if they want to drive in some non-EU and EAA countries, and can drive legally just with their UK driving licence inside all EU and EEA countries.
If a deal is agreed upon by the time Brexit rolls around, then it’s likely that none of this will change.
However, if the UK crashes out of the European Union without a deal in place, then UK drivers might need an IDP if they want to drive abroad in the EU and EEA, until such a time as governmental negotiations concerning driving permissions for UK citizens in these countries might be held.
There’s also a chance that you could end up needing different IDPs for different countries.
And from 28 March 2019, some countries will also stop recognising the 1926 and 1949 IDPs issued by the UK, which means that you’d need to get a 1968 IDP instead if you want to drive there.
What type of IDP do I need?
If you’re travelling to the following EU countries, you’ll need a 1968 IDP:
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
Bulgaria
Latvia
Croatia
Germany
Hungary
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Slovenia
Sweden
Norway
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Meanwhile these EU countries might require a 1949 IDP:
Ireland
Malta
Cyprus
Iceland
You could also find yourself needing a 1926 IDP if you’re driving through Liechtenstein.
Car insurance
Sadly, that’s not all – drivers will also need a motor insurance Green Card in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
As the government puts it: ‘From 29 March 2019, in the event that there is no EU Exit deal and the European Commission does not make a decision ensuring that UK registered vehicles will not be checked for proof of insurance, drivers of UK registered vehicles will need to carry a motor insurance Green Card when driving in the EU and EEA.
‘Some countries also require separate insurance for trailers. This means that you may also need a separate Green Card for your trailer.’
A no-deal Brexit could mean holiday chaos after several leading insurance companies said they could not guarantee cover for disruption caused if we crash out of the bloc.
The Government has told travellers to check directly with their insurance companies but five out of the big seven have since confirmed there could be uncertainty.
Zurich, More Than, Direct Line and Allianz said they were not sure what would happen to someone’s cover and Legal General said no, it would not.
The news was uncovered by the Liberal Democrats, who said people thinking of booking holidays after March 29 would be worried.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, citizens may also no longer be entitled to free health care using their European health insurance cards.
Dogs, cats and ferrets will all need to be microchipped if travelling outside the UK and must also have their vaccination against rabies (Picture: Getty)Pets
Those looking to take their pets abroad in the event of a no-deal Brexit are set to face an array of new rules.
Dogs, cats and ferrets will all need to be microchipped if travelling outside the UK and must also have their vaccination against rabies.
Following the vaccination, owners must then wait for a follow up blood test – meaning the whole process could take around four months.
Speaking to Sky News, Jane Renshaw said she is travelling to Spain in two weeks and couldn’t risk her dog not being allowed to come due to the no-deal rules.
She said: ‘It’s been quite stressful as we didn’t really think about it when we booked the holiday and then realised we needed four months in order to get the rabies injection and blood test.
‘It’s quite a costly thing, it’s cost me £200, just in case we leave without a deal. It was something I couldn’t just wait for, or we wouldn’t have a holiday.’
Passports
Reports suggest holidaymakers who have less than six months on their passport could find it difficult to travel around Europe if an agreement isn’t reached with the EU.
The six month rule previously affected certain countries outside of Europe, but if the UK leaves the European Union without a deal then it could mean we see countries in the Schengen area such as Italy and Spain have the six month requirement in place as well.
In the past UK citizens could also get up to nine months of the remaining validity of their old passport added to their new document if they renewed before it expired.
It was confirmed by the Government that no time will now be carried over to extend the length of passports, and without the extension it could mean that some British citizens are denied entry to various countries around Europe.
Those looking to take their pets abroad in the event of a no-deal Brexit are set to face an array of new rules (Picture: Getty)Flights
Both EU and UK governments have stated that they will allow airlines to fly as normal in the event of a no-deal.
So your flights to and from the UK shouldn’t be affected, unless they’re delayed for another reason.
