If you’re planning to travel to an EU or Schengen zone country, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.

Your passport must be:

• issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)

• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

You can use our handy passport checker to ensure your passport meets these requirements before travel.

Check the FCDO site for advice on passport validity.

Arriving in EU and Schengen zone countries

The Entry Exit System (EES) is a new electronic system that replaces passport stamping when you enter an EU or Schengen Zone country. When it’s launched, estimated to be late 2024, all entry and exit movements will be registered electronically onto a database rather than passport stamping. For now, your passport will continue to be stamped.

Before you travel, there’s nothing different you need to do

Upon arrival at your destination, the first time you use it might mean it takes a bit longer to pass through border control as your biometric data (face image and four fingerprints) will be added. Currently, the fingerprints of children below 12 years old are not scanned.

Following Brexit, The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is being phased out and replaced with a new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). If you currently have an EHIC that's still valid, you can continue to use this until it expires. You will not be able to renew your EHIC, but instead, you should apply for a new GHIC. Despite the name, the GHIC only works within European Union (EU) countries and entitles you to reduced cost and sometimes free, state provided medical treatment. Neither of these cards is a replacement for travel insurance and you should always look to have full travel insurance in place before you travel. You can add TUI Travel Insurance, through Allianz Partners, to your holiday when you book with us. Or, you can arrange your own travel insurance independently.

Apply for a new GHIC once your EHIC expires.

TUI Travel insurance is underwritten by AWP P&C SA and administered by AWP Assistance UK Ltd (trading as Allianz Partners).

At the moment, you only need a visa for a country in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland if you’re planning to stay for more that 90 days in any 180-day period. You also may need a visa if you do not have a British passport.

From April 2025, you will need to complete an ETIAS application.

What is ETIAS?

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System or ETIAS is planned to be introduced from April 2025 at the earliest. This will be a bit like an ESTA that you’d apply for when travelling to the USA. It’s not a visa, but if you’re visiting an EU or Schengen zone country for a short stay*, you’ll need to register your details before you travel via a quick and easy online form – it’ll cost just €7 and will be valid for three years. The form isn’t yet available, so if you’re travelling after April 2025, check the EU ETIAS website closer to your departure date. *A short stay is classed as no more than 90 days in a 180-day period. You can find out more by visiting EU ETIAS website

You can take a holiday of up to 90 days in any 180-day period if you’re travelling to an EU or Schengen zone country. If you want to stay for longer than 90 days, you may need to apply for a visa or a permit, but the rules vary from country to country. You can find out more on the government's website.

Visit the government’s travel advice pages.

If you have a card driving licence, you don’t need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the EU, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. If you have a paper driving license, or your license was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man, you might need an IDP to drive in some EU countries and Norway. Permits are available for £5.50 from the Post Office. The rules vary from country to country, so it’s worth checking the government's website in good time before your holiday.

Visit the governments guidance on Driving in the EU

Charges for using your mobile phone in an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland may be different after Brexit. It’s best to check with your mobile phone provider before you travel. Just so you know, the government has put measures in place to protect you from unexpected charges – these measures include a financial limit, as well as alerts on mobile data usage while you’re abroad.

Check government guidance on Using your mobile in EU and European Economic Area countries

You can bring some goods home without having to pay UK tax or duty - for example, up to 42 litres of beer and 200 cigarettes.

For more information on duty free allowances, visit the UK governments website

The rules around pet travel have changed – you’re not able to use your existing pet passport if you’re travelling to Europe. Make sure you contact a vet one month before you travel, at the latest, and check the government’s website to find out exactly what you need to do before you set off.

Visit the government’s website for all the details.

Our holidays aren't affected by Brexit. For extra peace of mind, as we’re a member of ATOL, if you book a package with us your holiday will be protected under the Package Travel Regulations. This means that you’ll have the right to a full refund if your holiday can no longer be provided. If you have any questions, you can contact us.

Our Marella Cruises and TUI River Cruises aren't affected by Brexit. For extra peace of mind, we’re a member of ABTA. This means that if you book your cruise with us, it’s protected and you’ll have the right to a full refund if your holiday can no longer be provided.