To England with Ferry – Traveling after Brexit
With the UK’s withdrawal from the EU on December 31, 2020, travelers will have to prepare for changes. These include new travel regulations. Anyone planning a vacation trip to England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland should therefore find out in advance about the current regulations regarding travel documents, visas and length of stay.
What does Brexit mean for my trip to England?
For your trip to England, Brexit means that you need to think a little more before you set off. From October 1, 2021, you will no longer be able to enter the UK with your ID card, but only with a valid passport. A visa is now required for stays of six months or longer.
If you are traveling by car, you should also check whether the UK is still listed on your Green Card. In terms of driving license, pets, customs duties, health and travel insurance, a trip to England is still completely unproblematic. This also applies to all air travel and travel by train and bus. Brexit will not affect the booking of your Ferry or the ferry service between the EU and the UK.
Will the journey to England change?
No. Ferry services to and from the UK will continue to run smoothly after Brexit. Passengers will continue to enjoy the usual level of comfort on board the Ferries. The same applies to flights, trains and coaches, which will continue to operate regularly between the EU and the UK. It may be necessary to initially expect stricter customs controls and resulting longer waiting times. After personal and customs checks, nothing stands in the way of carefree vacation days in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Will Brexit affect my ferry booking?
Brexit will not affect your ferry booking in any way. The EU and the UK have already agreed in the run-up to the Brexit negotiations that all Ferries will continue to operate on a normal timetable.
Ferry book to England
Which Ferries go to England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland?
Ferries to England
| Ferry connections to England | Shipping company |
|---|---|
| Ferry Amsterdam (Ijmuiden) – Newcastle | DFDS Seaways |
| Ferry Bilbao – Portsmouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Ferry Caen – Portsmouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Ferry Calais – Dover | Norfolk Line, P&O Ferries, DFDS |
| Ferry Calais – Folkestone | Eurotunnel |
| Ferry Cherbourg – Poole | Brittany Ferries |
| Ferry Cherbourg – Portsmouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Ferry Dieppe – Newhaven | Transmanche Ferries, DFDS |
| Ferry Dunkirk – Dover | Norfolk Line, DFDS |
| Ferry Guernsey – Poole | Condor Ferries |
| Ferry Guernsey – Portsmouth | Condor Ferries |
| Ferry Hoek van Holland – Harwich | Stena Line |
| Ferry Le Havre – Portsmouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Ferry Roscoff – Plymouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Ferry Rotterdam – Hull | P&O Ferries |
| Ferry Santander – Plymouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Ferry Santander – Portsmouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Ferry St. Malo – Portsmouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Ferry Rotterdam – Hull | P&O Ferries |
Ferries to Wales
| Ferry connections to Wales | Shipping company |
|---|---|
| Ferry Dublin – Holyhead | Irish Ferries, Stena Line |
| Ferry Rosslare – Fishguard | Stena Line |
| Ferry Rosslare – Pembroke | Irish Ferries |
Ferries to Ireland
| Ferry connections to Ireland | Shipping company |
|---|---|
| Ferry Cairnryan – Belfast | Stena Line |
| Ferry Cairnryan – Larne | P&O Ferries |
| Ferry Cherbourg – Dublin | Irish Ferries |
| Ferry Cherbourg – Rosslare | Stena Line |
| Ferry Douglas – Belfast | Steam Packet |
| Ferry Fishguard – Rosslare | Stena Line |
| Ferry Holyhead – Dublin | Irish Ferries, Stena Line |
| Ferry Liverpool – Dublin | P&O Ferries |
| Ferry Liverpool Birkenhead – Belfast | Stena Line |
| Ferry Pembroke – Rosslare | Irish Ferries |
| Ferry Roscoff – Cork | Brittany Ferries |
| Ferry Santander – Cork | Brittany Ferries |
Ferries to Scotland
| Ferry connections to Scotland | Shipping company |
|---|---|
| Ferry Belfast – Cairnryan | Stena Line |
| Ferry Cairnryan – Larne | P&O Ferries |
Shipping companies to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
These shipping companies will still take you quickly, safely and comfortably to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales after Brexit.
Should I expect longer waiting times at the border crossings in the ports?
Rather not. Since the UK had never joined the Schengen Agreement anyway, travelers were already checked on entry and exit before Brexit. With valid documents such as passport, driver’s license and proof of insurance, longer waiting times should be avoidable. Of course, it cannot be ruled out that initially there may be longer waiting times due to tighter customs controls. Then it just takes a little patience.
Can I make tax-free purchases in the duty-free stores on the Ferries?
When traveling from the EU to the UK and back, you will still be able to shop tax- and duty-free at Ferry from January 1, 2021.
However, it should be noted that when entering the UK, goods may only be imported tax and duty-free if they are intended for personal use and do not exceed a current value of 270 euros. Both German customs and the British government provide travelers with detailed information on their websites about so-called duty-free allowances, for which no import duties are levied.
For the export of goods, since January 1, 2021, products of animal origin may no longer be exported. Excluded from this are baby and children’s food and special pet food.
Will I need a passport or visa to enter the UK in the future after Brexit?
Even after Brexit, nothing will initially change for citizens entering the UK from the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland. However, this arrangement is temporary and expires on September 30, 2021. Until this date, entry is possible with a valid passport as well as with an identity card.
As of October 1, 2021, identity cards will no longer be recognized and a valid passport must be presented upon entry. Only individuals with permanent status or border worker permits will continue to be allowed to enter the United Kingdom (UK) with an identity card – limited until December 31, 2025.
For citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland, vacations and short trips to the UK are still possible without a valid visa. However, the length of stay is limited to a maximum period of six months. Those planning a longer stay need an appropriate visa.
Can I drive in England with my driving license from Germany, Austria and Switzerland?
Travelers with a non-UK driver’s license can continue to drive in the UK. An additional international driver’s license (IDP) is not required.
It is strongly advised to carry a Green Card (International Road Traffic Insurance Card). It must be issued by the insurer of the vehicle and contain the following information: the name of the insurer, the license plate number and the duration of the insurance coverage. It is also advisable to ask your insurer to confirm that the UK is still listed on the Green Card before you leave.
Can I take my pet with me on vacation in England after Brexit?
The answer to this question is a resounding “yes”. The current health precautions for pets will not change for the time being from January 1, 2021. With an EU pet passport, entry with dogs and cats is still possible. However, it is recommended to contact a veterinarian four months prior to entry in order to comply with all currently applicable regulations and avoid unpleasant surprises at border control. For example, vaccination against rabies and wearing a microchip implant are currently mandatory. About all the necessary requirements for entry with pet, the British government provides information online.
Do I need extra health insurance and travel insurance?
People with statutory health insurance should check whether they have taken out international health insurance before traveling to the UK. Only then will you be entitled to all medically necessary services on site. If this is not the case, it is advisable to take out international health insurance. The British government also strongly advises travelers to take out travel insurance. It guarantees that in the event of an emergency, the costs of medical care can be reclaimed from the insurer.
With a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and travel insurance in your luggage, nothing stands in the way of a safe and worry-free stay in the UK. By the way: You will find the European Health Insurance Card on the back of your insurance card.
