York for Europe

Traveling to and from the UK since Brexit is, to say the least, problematic. Get it "wrong" and you may have ruined a holiday.

EU citizens living in the UK have also experienced great difficulties.

On this page we are trying to jot down some ideas and links which may assist. If you have information you can share, useful links, or even anecdotes, please contact us.

York for Europe shares this information in good faith, and cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. Best double-check yourself, not least because things are changing.

Perhaps the easiest way for general travel and holidaying in Europe is by obtain a Schengen Visa

What is Schengen?

Schengen refers to the EU passport-free zone that covers most European countries. It’s the largest free travel area in the world.

What is a Schengen Visa?

A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any member of the Schengen Area, per stay up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.

The Schengen visa is the most common visa for Europe. It enables its holder to enter, freely travel within, and leave the Schengen zone from any of the Schengen member countries. There are no border controls within the Schengen Zone.

However, if you are planning to study, work, or live in one of the Schengen countries for more than 90 days, then you must apply for a national visa of that European country and not a Schengen Visa.

Health Insurance

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free.

If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it.

GHIC and EHIC do not replace travel insurance.

Taking your dog, cat (or ferret!) abroad. Different rules apply to bringing animals into the UK. A good starting place is the UK Foreign Office website

Working in Europe. Here is a starting point for working in France and Germany

Passport issue date and expiry date rules for travel into EU: 10-year rule confusion ~ It is vital to get it right!

Read this if your passport expires in the near future.

BREAKING NEWS £6 visa to travel soon necessary

UK holidaymakers travelling to Europe will need new travel permits thanks to Brexit, with the rules set to be introduced within months. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) had been due to come into force shortly after Brexit arrangements were put in place, but has been repeatedly delayed and is now expected next year. There are fears the scheme will cause long queues for travellers. Once it is introduced, UK tourists visiting most EU countries will be hit by a seven euro (£6) fee.

EU Citizens in the UK.

It has been a grossly unjust and anxious journey for EU Citizens in the UK since Brexit. The3Million have done a great deal to try and address this. Even if you yourself are not in this category it is useful to see some the heartbreaking circumstances EU citizens have found themselves in because of Brexit.

Centrala

Centrala exists to achieve inclusion and wellbeing for Central and Eastern European (CEE) migrant communities in England. They use arts & culture as their tools to advance social integration, understanding, respect and cohesion between migrant and non-migrant communities.

The scandal of the settlement scheme for EU citizens ~ an article by Chris Grey