Please note – this information is subject to change and correct at the date of publishing. We always advise you to check directly with your airline’s website before travel. You can check entry requirements prior to travel to prevent any travel disruption at Foreign travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
COVID-19
The only destinations we currently have COVID-19 restrictions are for Alicante with Ryanair. The links below will provide you with all the current guidance.
Entry requirements – Spain travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Important information when travelling – Ryanair Help Centre
When travelling to Dusseldorf with Eurowings you are still required to wear a face covering but there is no COVID-19 check for entry into Germany.
No other checks are required and all other destinations are optional for face covering wearing, it is a passenger’s individual preference.
POST BREXIT TRAVEL
Passports and Travel Documents
Travel to Europe is a little different now that we are no longer a Member of the European Union (EU), so it’s important you plan early to make sure you have everything in place in time for your trip.
Brexit has had an effect on travel since 1 January 2021. There have been changes in terms of requirements, documents, length of stay and more. These changes affect travel from the UK to the EU (all 27 member states), as well as seven other non-EU member states: Andorra, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Norway, Iceland Switzerland and the Vatican City.
Always produce a valid passport or travel document for yourself and any child you are travelling with. Find out more on the government website
What you need to know about travelling to the EU
Passport Rules
If you have a British passport, it can’t be more than 10 years old when entering the EU and most places will require you to have at least three months left on your passport on the date you depart from your destination.
You can find the passport validity rules for the country you’re visiting by checking the FCDO’s advice and reading the entry requirements section.
Visas
If you are going on holiday or travelling for business, you don’t currently need a visa for short trips to Europe. You can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Health insurance
If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid up to its expiry date (cards are valid for five years when issued). If your EHIC has expired, or you don’t have one, you can apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead of an EHIC. More details here.
As usual, you’ll also need to take out comprehensive travel insurance with sufficient healthcare cover, including cover for existing medical conditions and any activities you plan to do.
Using your mobile phone abroad
Rules around mobile data roaming have changed meaning you may face charges when using your phone in the EU, including for making calls, sending messages or using the internet. Check with your mobile phone provider for details.
Border control
When going through passport control, you may not be able to use the EU or EEA passport lanes and may need to join the lane for ‘third country’ or ‘non-EU’ visitors instead. Your passport will be stamped by the border officer on entry and exit to make sure you’re complying with the 90-day visa free limit for short stays. Some EU countries are currently rolling out an e-gate system to replace some of the manual passport checks.
Items you can take in and out of the EU
You can’t take any meat, milk or any products containing these items into the EU. There are exceptions for powdered baby milk, baby food, or pet food required for medical reasons.
When returning from the EU to the UK, you can bring in a certain amount of goods without paying tax or duty.
Business travel requirements
There are a few extra requirements for business travellers visiting the countries in the EU as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
If you’re travelling on business, for less than 90 days in a 180-day period such as attending a business meeting, you’ll be able to travel without a visa or work permit. If you’re planning to stay for more than 180 days, you’ll need to check the entry requirements and rules for the country you’re visiting to find out if you need a visa or work permit.
If you’re travelling with goods to the EU, you’ll need to ensure you’ve got the right documentation to take them with you and if you intend to sell the goods abroad, you’ll need to make a customs declaration.
You will also need to make a declaration if you take £10,000 or more in cash with you.
Other extra requirements to check are whether your professional qualifications will be recognised in the EU, what to do if you’re earning money in the EU and providing indemnity insurance for employees. For further information, visit here.
The UK Government also has advice for people travelling to the EU.
Future changes
Passport stamping is expected to become fully automated in 2023 through the new Entry/Exit system (EES) to help process travellers quickly and efficiently.
By the end of 2023, the EU is aiming to bring in a new visa waiver system, called ETIAS, which will be similar to the ESTA for travel to the US and be valid for three years. Once introduced, British passport holders travelling to the EU will need to apply and pay for an ETIAS, via an online system.
We always advise you to check the latest requirements for both Covid19 and post Brexit, directly with your airline via their website.
Links to our current airline partners’ websites are listed below:
If you require any more advice ahead of your trip, our friendly team here at Cornwall Airport Newquay will be happy to assist. Please get in touch at info@cornwallairportnewquay.com
Please note – this information is subject to change and correct at the date of publishing.
