Depart du Mont-Saint-Michel de Ouistreham guerite embarquement voiture drapeaux juin 2020. Departure from Ouistreham check-in boarding car flags june 2020. Credit photo : Jess Breheret. / Droits jusqu'en juin 2024
04 June 2021 by Jessica Boston
Planning your first French holiday after Brexit? Here’s what you need to know…
It’s still really easy to plan a holiday to France now the UK have left the EU. Of course there are some things that are a little different, but really it’s no problem; it’s very unlikely you’ll need a visa and your EHIC is still valid. Get the latest advice on post-brexit EU travel here or take a look at our guide below:
Your passport needs to:
● Be less than 10 years old
● Have more than six months left on the date you travel
Your European Healthcare Insurance Card (EHIC):
● Is still valid in EU countries
Be ready at border control, you will need:
● A return ticket or onward ticket showing intention to leave at the end of your holiday
● Proof of funds for holiday expenses
● To use the correct lane when queuing – we are not in the EU anymore.
● To be prepared for your passport to be stamped
Do you need a visa?
● Visas are not required for holiday travel, as long as you are visiting EU countries for 90 days or less in a 180 day period. The 90 days can be cumulative over different destinations depending on which countries you visit, if in doubt check here for further information.
Restrictions on luggage, you CANNOT bring the following with you to France:
● Meat and dairy products (exceptions may be made for infant formula/specialist pet food)
● Most fresh fruit and vegetables
● Plants and plant products, for detailed information and exemptions check here.
If you are taking your car you’ll need:
● A GB sticker clearly displayed on the back of your vehicle
● A ‘green card’ from your insurance company to prove you are insured to drive abroad. Please remember that you will need a green card for every insurance policy so if there are multiple drivers, or you are towing a trailer or caravan, you will need to get several cards issued. Contact your insurer at least 6 weeks before travel to make arrangements.
If you are taking your pet you’ll need:
● An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) the pet passport scheme is no longer valid and you will need to plan a month in advance to ensure your pet can get the necessary vaccinations and have their certificate issued in time. For detailed information on what to do to get pets ready for holiday travel check government advice here.
Be aware of mobile phone charges:
● Free roaming is no longer guaranteed so check with your provider to see if you will incur extra charges when using data abroad. You can be charged up to £45 in excess charges before your provider must contact you to request further funds.
While coronavirus travel restrictions are still currently in place, you can still make plans for future holidays! Brittany Ferries have released bookings right up to November 2022 and you can save up to 20% on your crossings if you book accommodation with us! For the very latest advice on the requirements and restrictions for UK tourists hoping to visit France visit the government web page here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france