Brexit will result in British holidaymakers being subjected to a slew of new border checks if a no-deal Brexit goes ahead. The European Commission announced the changes to travel in its emergency plan. They warned of “significant disruption” if there is a no-deal Brexit scenario. Increased checks at the airport will result in “delays” as queues build up at the border.
“UK citizens will no longer be citizens of the European Union. They will be subject to additional checks when crossing borders into the European Union,” said the European Commission.
“Again, Member States have made considerable preparations at ports and airports to ensure that these checks are done as efficiently as possible, but they may nevertheless cause delays.”
Much of the information was announced in November but the EU has now confirmed its plans are completed as a no deal Brexit for the UK looks “increasingly likely.”
Britons will need passports with a minimum of three month’s validity beyond the end of their trip.
UK passports will not be able to be used in EU lanes in the event of a no deal Brexit.
A visa won’t be required for trips shorter than 90 days, but, for longer stays, Britons “will in principle require a residence permit or long stay visa issued by national authorities, under the national rules.”
Further entry checks will see the traveller having to reveal the purpose of their trip, for instance, whether it’s for business or leisure.
They will also have to confirm that have “the existence of sufficient means of subsistence (i.e. having sufficient means to pay for the intended stay and return travel).”
The European Commission document also added: “Travellers are advised to take account of possible delays at border posts as of the withdrawal date, especially at those with heavy volumes of traffic (Eurostar train stations, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle in Calais and Folkestone, Channel ports, etc).”
It’s not all bad news, however, as Britons will be able to get a VAT refund on goods purchased in the EU.
“Visitors from outside the EU are entitled to get a refund of VAT paid on goods they have purchased during their stay in the EU provided that the goods are presented to customs on departure from the EU together with the VAT refund documents,” said the European Commission.
The increasing likelihood of a no deal Brexit has caused the pound to euro exchange rate to decrease.
The pound is currently trading at €1.168 against the euro, according to Bloomberg at the time of writing.
Hamish Muress, currency analyst at OFX, said: “For a long time, the pound has been trading on thin ice and that ice is beginning to crack. Even though the Brexit date has been pushed beyond the end of March, in the eyes of investors there is still a risk that the UK could crash out of the EU in an accidental ‘no-deal’ Brexit scenario. If this were to happen, the Pound could certainly drop through the barrier of 1.30 against the Dollar.
“This week, all eyes will be watching out for the ‘indicative votes’ planned throughout the week, though a number of these still won’t address the withdrawal agreement or the issue of the Irish backstop.
“For the pound, immediate relief will only be provided if the Prime Minister’s deal is passed, which is still looking unlikely. There remain several hurdles for May to jump and it’s still unconfirmed whether the speaker will allow a third meaningful vote.
“Perhaps the only hope for Theresa May will come in the failure of all other ‘indicative votes’ as MPs struggle to gain a majority. If this is the case, and the impasse continues, pressure will mount on MPs who may once again look to the withdrawal agreement or a watered-down version of it.
“As things stand, the closer to any Brexit deadline we get, the more uncertainty there is for sterling, and this is coupled with the fact that as the clock ticks down, the Prime Minister’s deal May still be better than a No Deal.”
