31 Dec 2020 | 09:35 PM UTC
Europe: Several EU countries impose travel restrictions on travelers from UK from Jan. 1 following end of Brexit Transition
Several EU countries expand COVID-related restrictions to travelers from UK from Jan. 1 following end of Brexit Transition.
Event
Several countries in the European Economic Area (EEA), including Norway, Romania, Latvia, and Poland, have formally expanded their coronavirus (COVID-19)-related entry restrictions to apply to travelers from the UK effective 0001 Jan. 1. The move is in connection with the official conclusion of the Brexit process, at which point the UK will have the status of a third-party country and no longer enjoy the free entry status granted to EU nations. UK nationals who are not permanent residents of the EEA and are traveling for non-essential purposes will not be permitted entry to the countries in question. Other EEA countries will likely make similar declarations in the coming days. Residents of Northern Ireland traveling to Ireland will likely be unaffected.
Previously the UK and EU reached an agreement on the terms of their future relationship following the Dec. 31 end of the Brexit transition period. Several changes to border procedures will enter into effect on Jan. 1; extra time could be required to negotiate entry and exit procedures, particularly for freight entering the EU. Specific changes include:
Passports of UK nationals traveling to the EU must be less than 10 years old and remain valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
UK citizens require visas for stays in the EU longer than 90 days in any 180-day period; the same requirement applies reciprocally for EU citizens visiting the UK.
UK businesses trading with the EU must submit customs declarations and other paperwork, and undergo additional checks.
EU citizens and their families – other than Irish nationals, or individuals with indefinite permission to remain - must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after June 30, 2021. Each successful applicant will receive either settled or pre-settled status.
UK citizens living in the EU may have to apply for residency permits, depending on their country of residence.
During the initial days of the new arrangement, some disruptions to ground freight transport could occur, potentially impacting the distribution of goods between the EU and UK and causing short-term supply shortages. Nevertheless, many private enterprises and public sector departments have built precautionary stockpiles which could mitigate any temporary supply chain problems
Disruptive industrial action is also possible at international entry and exit points on both sides of the English Channel, including air and sea ports, and customs facilities, as unions denounce any additional workload or lack of resources, or attempt to exploit the situation to leverage government concessions.
Advice
Follow all government guidelines related to the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Anticipate potential short-notice travel disruptions between the UK and EU from Jan. 1. Confirm transport schedules before setting out and build flexibility into itineraries. Allow additional time for customs and security procedures if traveling between the UK and the EU starting Jan. 1. Before traveling between the EU and the UK (not including Ireland), check your passport’s compliance with the relevant authority. UK or EU expatriates should check post-Brexit residency status and requirements with the host country authorities.
