Do I need to renew my passport before Brexit?

‘During the implementation period, which runs until the end of December this year, travel to the EU will remain the same,’ said a government spokesperson

The UK will formally leave the European Union on 31 January 2020 – the fourth proposed date for Brexit.

Many prospective travellers to Europe have contacted The Independent concerned about changes from 1 February 2020.

While there is no certainty about what awaits UK travellers from 2021 onwards, the Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) has confirmed to The Independent that rules on passports, driving licences, EHICs and mobile roaming will remain the same until the implementation period ends on 31 December 2020.

“During the implementation period, which runs until the end of December this year, travel to the EU will remain the same,” a government spokesperson said.

Yet conflicting online advice is confusing travellers.

Passports

Travel documents issued by the UK up to and including 31 January 2020 will be full EU passports. Until 2021 they will be treated as such across the European Union. And after Brexit they will continue to be valid as British travel documents – there is no need to renew.

British passports issued from 1 February 2020 will likewise be treated as EU travel documents for the rest of the year. They will be valid for travel anywhere in the European Union up to and including the date of expiry, at least until 31 December 2020.

Blue UK passports are promised to be rolled out from "early 2020". From mid-2020 all British passports should be blue. They look very similar to the passports issued by Croatia (which is a member of the European Union) and North Korea (which is not).

Driving licences

The current advice on gov.uk, which sets out “What you will need to drive while visiting the EU if there’s a no-deal Brexit,” warns: “You may need one or more international driving permits (IDPs).”

The official advice is unhelpful since nothing will change during the implementation period. UK driving licences are valid in the European Union with no additional paperwork.

Motor insurance

At present British policies are automatically extended to the EU. So despite the government’s “no-deal” advice to “Contact your vehicle insurance provider one month before you travel to get green cards,” there is no need to do so for the rest of 2020.

European Health Insurance Card

The EHIC will continue to provide medical treatment for British travellers at public hospitals in EU countries on the same basis as local people until 31 December 2020.

Mobile roaming

The EU’s free roaming rules apply for British travellers for the remainder of the year.

Pets

Although the government advises “allow at least four months to arrange” to take a cat, dog or ferret to the EU, the present rules on pets continue until 31 December 2020.

Transport

Flights, trains and ferries between the UK and the European Union will be unaffected up to and including 31 December 2020, and quite possibly after that.