Brexit FAQs

Passengers will continue to be able to enjoy the comfort and safety of travel by ferry to and from the UK, regardless of the UK’s agreement with the EU post 31 December 2020.

After the transition period there will likely be some changes to travel requirements to the UK which we have highlighted below and in the following sections. The guidance is designed to help you travel with confidence into 2021 and beyond.

Will Brexit affect my booking?

No. Brexit will not affect your booking and you can still travel with confidence with DFDS.

You may need to check the following:

• Your passport has at least 6 months validity (double check for core markets if applicable, UK page government page does NOT mention this however appears to be the case for DE travellers?)
• You have travel insurance which covers your healthcare
• You have the right driving documents and insurance for your vehicle
• Pet travel is organised if you are looking to take your pet to the UK with you as you need to contact your vet at least 1 month before you go

More details about this can be found in the sections below and on the official government website here. 

For more information about passports, please click on the web pages below:

Information from the European Commission:

To view the European Commission's current travel proposal, please click on the following links: https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/brexit_files/info_site/travelling.pdf

Health Insurance

If you are visiting the UK make sure you:

• bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you
• have travel insurance that covers the duration of your trip – an EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance because it does not cover everything

Travel insurance

The government advises visitors to the UK to take out travel insurance. This means that you can reclaim any healthcare costs you are required to pay from your insurer.

Check your insurance has the necessary healthcare coverage to make sure you can get the treatment you need during your visit.

European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC)

There will be no changes to healthcare access for residents of the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland who visit the UK before the end of 2020.

You can continue to use your EHIC until the end of 2020 as you do now. Make sure you bring your EHIC with you when visiting the UK

Your EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance and you should have both when you travel to the UK.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-for-eu-and-efta-citizens-visiting-the-uk

__School travellers entering the UK and Visa requirements __

Check UK government guidance for school children entering the UK as part of a school group, which covers school children who are of a non-EU, EEA or Swiss nationality.

This explains the steps leaders of school parties must take before bringing school children to the UK as part of a school group from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, if they would normally need a visa to enter the UK.

In the event of a No Deal driving licences may no longer be valid by themselves, and an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be necessary.

Anyone travelling immediately before or after March 29th, should consider obtaining the relevant IDP before travelling, as a precaution. The cost of an IDP is £5.50 and can be made via the Post Office.

For more information and guidance on driving in the EU go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-to-drive-in-the-eu-after-brexit

Can I still take my pet on holiday with me?

Yes, and ferries are a particularly pet-friendly means of transport often offering dedicated facilities for pet owners.

When the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, the UK will become a Part 2 listed third country in the EU Pet Travel Scheme.

This means the EU Pet Passport will no longer be valid for pets travelling from the UK to the EU. A Health Certificate for your pet will need to be issued 10 days before entering the EU which will be valid for return within 4 months. A new certificate will be required each time you travel.

For pets travelling from the EU into the UK, the EU Pet Passport will still be accepted.

Detailed guidance from the Government on pet travel after the transition period ends can be found here.

Click here for further information on the current PET Travel Scheme: http://apha.defra.gov.uk/external-operations-admin/library/documents/exports/ET159.pdf

Click here for our advice on travelling safely with your dog: https://www.discoverferries.com/thinking-taking-dog-holiday/

Will there be long queues at ports for tourist traffic?

We are confident that passengers travelling from Europe to the UK for leisure purposes will not experience many changes to the way they currently travel through the ferry ports, as long as you have the correct documentation (valid passport, insurance, driving permit etc.)

When travelling to the United Kingdom and from there back to Europe, there may therefore be longer waiting times at border checkpoints due to customs checks.

Bringing goods into the UK

You can bring some goods from abroad without having to pay UK tax or ‘duty’ (customs charges), as long as they’re for your own use.

If you’re coming:

• from a European Union (EU) country you can bring in an unlimited amount of most goods
• from outside the EU you can only bring in a certain amount without paying duty or tax - up to your duty-free allowance

Bringing goods into the EU

From 23:00 on 31 December 2020, you can no longer take products of animal origin into the EU in your luggage, vehicle, or person. This includes any products containing meat or dairy, or plants and plant products. There are certain exemptions to this rule for quantities of powdered infant milk, infant food, confectionary, specialised foods and pet feed. If your item is not exempt, please consume or dispose of these items before reaching the EU border, otherwise you may be fined or prosecuted by the EU. 

Merchandise in baggage

There will be a new process at airports, roll on roll off ports and Eurostar terminals from January 2021. This will allow traders to declare merchandise in baggage being imported from the EU to the UK in advance.

Controls on cash

Individuals travelling from the EU to the UK with £10,000 or more in cash will need to make a declaration. Find out about taking cash in and out of the UK.

For the time being, there are no roaming charges to pay. However, if roaming charges are introduced, EU mobile operators are obliged to inform their customers of any roaming costs incurred when travelling to the UK.

Please check with your mobile phone provider before your trip.

From January 2021 if you are travelling from the UK to the EU and vice versa you will be able to take advantage of duty-free and tax-free shopping on board your ferry.