At 1,246 pages, the UK-EU trade deal is hardly easy reading, even if you’ve got time to spare over the holidays.
Luckily, our experts have done the hard work for you.
Read on to find out what the deal means for everything from driving to drinking and much in between.
Or read our in-depth analysis of the deal and whether it works for consumers.
1. You won’t need a visa
It’s good news for holidaymakers and business travellers, as you’ll be able to spend up to 90 days in any 180 day period in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland without a visa. This can be in a single trip, or across multiple trips.
That said, travelling won’t be as simple as it used to be. You won’t be able to use EU lanes at border control and will need at least six months’ validity on your passport.
2. Six months is the magic number
On the day of travel to the EU, your passport will need to have at least six months validity.
To add to the confusion, it will also need to be less than 10 years old. Avoid being disappointed by using the government’s online passport checker.
On the subject of passports, If you’re planning to take your pet with you, bear in mind that the UK will no longer be part of the pet passport scheme. Instead you’ll need an Animal Health Certificate, which can take a month to arrange.
3. Get yourself a Ghic – but don’t forget the insurance
You’ve probably heard of Ehic – the European Health Insurance Card – and come 2021, you’ll be able to get a ‘Ghic’; a Global Health Insurance Card.
Ghic is a UK government scheme that should provide similar reciprocal healthcare to that under the Ehic scheme, although details are still being finalised.
Don’t bin your Ehic, however, as you’ll continue to get reciprocal healthcare until your card expires (with the exception of non-EU countries like Switzerland and Norway).
Neither an Ehic nor a Ghic by themselves is enough, however. Travel insurance will cover you for private hospitals, repatriation as well as cancellation and disruption.
4. Compensation for flight delays will continue
Airlines will still be legally responsible for getting you where you need to go. It will still need to provide food, drink and accommodation if a flight is delayed or flight is cancelled.
The UK has also adopted EU rules that require airlines to compensate you if your flight is delayed or cancelled. But, as this rule only applies in the EU it will only cover flights on EU airlines or flights from EU airports.
So, it’s possible that only passengers flying from the UK on EU airlines or from the EU to the UK will be covered from 1 January.
5. Don’t hit the road without a GB sticker
A sticker probably isn’t top of your packing list, but will be required if you’re driving your car into the EU.
You can buy a sticker easily and cheaply.
A green card – which proves you have insurance – will also be required, but unfortunately can be trickier to obtain.
You’ll need to ask your insurer which should send you a copy (this could take up to six weeks) or email you one that must be printed out.
- Find out more: driving in the EU after Brexit
6. Booze cruises are set to return
Remember taking the ferry to France and making the most of the duty free?
Those days are set to return, as duty free rules are extended to the EU. You’ll be able to buy duty free goods at airports, for flights to the EU and beyond, as well as on ferries and trains.
Just don’t overdo it, as you could end up paying customs duties. For personal use you’ll be able to bring in up 42 litres of beer, plus 18 litres or wine and 4 litres of spirits, plus up to 200 cigarettes.
7. Watch out for roaming charges
We thought we’d said goodbye to roaming charges in the EU, but they could be about to make an unwelcome return.
UK mobile networks will no longer be barred for charging you extra to use your minutes, texts and data in EU countries.
Not all will however – check your mobile network’s website before travelling.
Be aware that excess costs must be capped at £45 a month; at this point services will be cut off unless you choose to spend more.
- Find out more: how to prepare your phone for holidays abroad
8. Minimal changes to food prices
Now a deal has been agreed, tariffs will not be applied to food and goods traded between the UK and EU.
But there will be additional border checks which could add some costs on. However, these should be minimal compared to concerns about the impact of high tariffs on food.
9. And you can still enjoy a good wine
You also shouldn’t expect to pay any more for a bottle of wine. Both sides agreed to simplify requirements for imports of wine.
Without a deal importing wine would have involved a lot of paperwork and admin, potentially driving up the price of a bottle.
10. A commitment online shopping protections
Both sides have committed to ensure we’re protected when we shop online, including requiring sellers to act in good faith, abide by fair commercial practices, and a ban on dodgy behaviour like charging consumers for unsolicited goods and services.
Sellers must also give you clear information, including contact details, describing what you’re buying accurately and providing clear pricing and associated costs.
11. But taking EU-based companies to court will be trickier
That being said, enforcing your rights could become trickier, the trade agreement does not include any provisions that will allow you to enforce your rights in the EU via a UK court.
This means if you have a dispute with an EU-based company, you won’t be able to take it to court in the UK.
12. Your deliveries could be held hostage
If you buy something from an online seller based in the EU that costs more than £390 you will have to pay customs duties.
VAT and handling fees could also apply and parcels might be held in post offices until all duties and fees have been paid.
13. Additional admin when you send a parcel
The Post Office has said that if you’re sending a parcel or gifts to the EU you will need to attach a customs declaration form. These forms require you to detail the type of good, its value and its weight.
While these new rules don’t kick in until January 1st, the Post Office has said from Tuesday 29th you should attach this document to avoid delays.
Letters, postcards and documents sent to the EU will not require a form.
For all our articles on Brexit and how it could affect you, visit our Brexit news and advice page
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/12/brexit-deal-13-things-you-need-to-know/