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British tourists will not be able to enter the EU from January 1, as the European Commission has indicated that there will be no exemptions for the United Kingdom from Covid-19 security restrictions, apart from residents of Northern Ireland who travel to the Republic of Ireland. What does this all mean for Brits with a holiday booked in 2021, or earlier?
What impact will this have?
At first glance, this is not great news. However, it is important to note that the Foreign Office still advises against all non-essential travel to most of continental Europe, barring some holiday destinations, such as certain Greek islands.
This means that relatively few people have booked vacations in early 2021, as in most cases travel insurance is not valid. It also gives popular European tourist destinations time to consider their options (see below).
I must travel in december: Does this affect me?
No, this only becomes an issue after the Brexit transition period ends on December 31. You can still travel until then, albeit with existing restrictions and quarantine requirements when you return.
What about the middle of February?Fast skiing or city breaks?
This is arguably the next big break, but it already seemed highly unlikely that it would go ahead as normal, at least for UK residents. Most of the European ski resorts are closed, or open only to locals, and it looks like it will stay that way during the February semester.
However, if the Foreign Office changes its travel advice between now and then and the EU resorts are opened, the British could be turned away at the borders.
British residents planning a getaway to, say, Lisbon could also be turned away until the EU lifts its Covid ban on non-residents arriving for tourism, unless Portugal offers the British a ‘travel corridor’, as described. saw in the summer.
I I am booked to travel in spring: I have lost the money I spent on the tripor am I insured?
If you have booked a ski package or other similar vacation (a flight and hotel package), the tour operator will have to cancel the trip and you will be entitled to a full refund. Anyone who has booked their own skiing or other trips, driving or flying to the Alps and booking their own accommodation, will surely find that their travel insurance will not cover it in the event of cancellation.
Even Insurefor.com, the company that advertises itself as the insurer prepared to cover those willing to travel on the advice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says that clients are not covered by cancellation if they are denied the entry into a country due to a Covid-related issue. restriction.
How will this be resolved?
Abta, who represents the travel industry, says the European council’s proposal is just a recommendation and that individual countries can implement their own measures, including options like travel corridors and tests.
If at Easter infection or immunization rates in the UK are better, or not worse, than EU destinations, some EU countries are likely to decide unilaterally to allow UK tourists to come, in an attempt for saving the tourist industry, with others soon. following suit.
An Abta spokesperson said: “It is too early to say what restrictions could be in place on January 1, given the uncertain nature of the pandemic, but we know that UK travelers are very important to a number of EU destinations, including the winter sun favorites like the Canary Islands and Madeira. “
Is this all due to Brexit??
Yes. The fact that we leave the EU means that we join countries like Albania and Turkey in joining the EU. On Thursday morning, the Netherlands announced that all non-EU citizens would have to have negative Covid-19 test results when entering the country by air or sea. This will affect British tourists from January 1. Arguably, we can expect more of this in the coming months.
