Post Brexit: TCA Agreement

On December 24th 2020, leaders of the European Union and the United Kingdom announced that they had agreed on a trade deal called the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). While the TCA avoids the consequences of a no-deal Brexit there are some complexities with several additional new conditions and rules that travellers need to follow when visiting the UK.

Checks ahead of travel

• Checking the validity of your passport – If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen you can cross the UK border using a valid passport which is valid for the duration of your stay. If you are a non-EEA family member of an EU EEA or Swiss citizen, you’ll need a valid passport and either an EU Settlement Scheme family permit, a UK issued EEA family permit or the UK issued biometric residence card.
• Checking the validity of national ID cards – As of the 1^st October 2021 EU, EEA and Swiss national ID cards will no longer be valid for entry to the UK unless you have one of the following:
  • have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
  • have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
  • have a frontier worker permit
  • are an S2 Healthcare Visitor
  • are a Swiss Service Provider

You will be required to show the correct documents at the UK border. Providing other documentation that is not listed above will not be accepted. National ID cards with one of the above documentation will only be accepted until 31^st December 2025.

• Visa requirements – EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can travel to the UK for short trips or leisure without needing a visa. If you’re travelling for any other occasion find out if you need to apply for a visa.
• Checking your healthcare cover– EU, EEA and Swiss citizens visiting the UK should check the latest information on guidance for healthcare cover
• Cash restrictions – If you’re travelling from the EU to the UK with £10,000 or more in cash you will be required to declare it. For more information please click here.
• Costs associated with your mobile phone – The cost of calls, texts and mobile data will vary dependant on your phone operator.
• Checking you have the right driving documents – If you have a non-UK driving license you can still drive in the UK an international driving permit (IDP) is not required.
• Checking you have the right vehicle insurance – If your vehicle insurance is issued in the EU, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland you will be required to provide an insurance green card or another valid proof of insurance. To be valid it needs to include the:
  • name of the insurance provider
  • number plate or other identifying particulars of the vehicle
  • period of insurance cover

Additional measures when travelling for business

You may need to apply for a visa if you are travelling to the UK for short business trips if you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss Citizen.

The new UK’s points-based immigration system, allows you to visit the UK without applying for a visa with a minimum stay of up to 6 months which includes a range of business activities. During the 6 months, you can enter the UK multiple times, but you cannot live in the UK for example frequent or successive visits. As a business visitor, you cannot:

• • do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person
  • do a work placement or internship
  • sell directly to the public or provide goods and services

For more information on visiting the UK for business purposes and to check if you need a visa, click here.

• Work in the UK or sending employees to the UK – If EU, EEA or Swiss citizens choose to work in the UK for longer than 6 months, a visa is required. Find out more about working in the UK. Information regarding EU, EEA or Swiss Citizen who commute to the UK for work need to check the guidance for frontier workers.
• Exemptions for Businesses from COVID-19 rules – Even if you’ve recently travelled through or from a country or territory, not on the travel corridors list, you may not need to self-isolate or complete the passenger locator form. Check whether your job qualifies you for this exemption.
• International arrivals COVID-19 Test to Release scheme – You can pay for a COVID-19 test if you do not qualify for business exemptions. Only if the test is negative you can decrease the self-isolation period after international travel. The scheme is voluntary and applies to England only.
• Documents needed to enter the UK – A passenger locator form must be filled out 48 hours before you arrive in the UK from abroad giving, your journey and contact details. This is part of the UK’s COVID-19 response, in addition, find out more about this and other documents you need to enter the UK.