ADVICE ON HOLIDAYS AFTER BREXIT - HERE'S WHAT BREXIT WILL MEAN FOR YOUR NEXT BREAK ABROAD

Despite the ever-changing Brexit discussions, we know that flights taking off in the UK will still be permitted to fly within the European Union’s airspace, even if a deal isn’t reached – that’s been confirmed by the European Commission. This means Brexit shouldn’t have any effect on your flight. It’s not changing our plans here at First Choice HQ, either – we’re still operating all of our holidays as normal. So, whether you fancy a fly-and-flop to Spain’s sunny shores or a far-flung escape to tropical Thailand, your holiday will still go ahead when you book with First Choice.

Even if we have a no-deal Brexit, flights between the UK and the EU will still take place as normal. Even when a deal is decided, nothing will happen overnight – we’ll go into a period of transition for two years, up until late 2020.

There’s no reason to suspect that your holiday won’t be able to take place after Brexit. When you book a package holiday – which means you pay a single price for your travel and accommodation – you’re protected by the Package Travel Regulations. This means that in the unlikely event of us not being able to provide your holiday, you’ll get a full refund.

It’s difficult to predict what Brexit will mean for buying foreign currency. If you’re worried about fluctuating exchange rates, you could book an All Inclusive holiday where the majority of your holiday is paid for upfront. All First Choice holidays are All Inclusive, meaning flights, luggage, hotels, meals and local drinks are included as standard. There are lots of hotels that go one step further, too, by also throwing the likes of watersports and activities into the price.

On 4th April 2019 the European Parliament approved legal changes to ensure that UK citizens will not need a visa to travel to the EU for short stays after Brexit – even in the event of a no-deal exit. ABTA is also providing advice to travellers about visiting the EU after Brexit, with the latest information available at: abta.com/Brexit.

Your UK passport will still be valid. If you’re travelling to the EU after the 31st January 2020 and your passport is due to expire within six months of your date of arrival, it’s recommended that you apply to renew your passport before you travel. You won’t be able to use your UK-registered European Health Insurance Card if we have a no-deal Brexit. It’s a good idea to take out full travel insurance any time you travel. We offer travel insurance via AXA, but you can of course take out insurance with another provider.

If you have a full UK driving licence you don’t currently need an additional licence to drive in the EU. This is likely to change in a no-deal scenario and UK travellers looking to drive in the EU on or after 31st January 2020 may need to apply for the relevant International Driving Permit which is available directly from the Post Office. Please note which permit is required for each country you intend to drive within, as you may need more than one permit to comply with the law. The Government is also advising that you will need a GB sticker for your car. For Full information visit gov.uk/euexit and the ABTA website.