Requirements for UK citizens when travelling to Europe

The United Kingdom, through BREXIT, left the European Union bloc on December 31, 2020. From January 1, 2021, the United Kingdom was no longer regarded as a part of the EU bloc. As a result, British citizens face stricter ETIAS requirements when traveling into any of the European Union countries.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the United Kingdom has recorded a large number of Covid-19 cases within its borders. In a bid to protect its nationals and residents, the European Union placed stricter restrictions on citizens of the UK, in addition to restrictions as a result of BREXIT.

British citizens who have been fully vaccinated against the virus have only BREXIT restrictions to deal with in an attempt to enter any of the 27 states of the European Union. The unvaccinated citizens face different restrictions, depending on the European Union country of choice.

The EHIC is a very innovative project that is efficient in providing health care solutions. As earlier described, it provides equal eligibility to every user in any nation that supports it, which means that as an EHIC owner in a foreign EHIC compliant country, you are entitled to the free health services rendered to its residents and citizens. Also, if the citizens and residents of that country are paying a certain reduced fee for any health service, you are allowed to pay that amount. Most times, the fees are not expensive.

To use an EHIC to get any medical care, all you need is to show your Insurance card.

The European Union advised that unvaccinated visitors from countries having a significant increase in cases of Covid-19 should only be allowed into their borders if it is essential. Member states can decide to take the advice or ignore it.

When unvaccinated British citizens enter any European Union member state, the state reserves the right to admit any restrictions or tests they deem fit before permitting such a one into their borders.

Some EU member states have strict regulations for holders of the United Kingdom passport, while some states have milder regulations.

Drug prescriptions are taken care of by the Insurance scheme. Some prescriptions are partially funded, while others are free. However, drugs gotten over the counter like pain relievers are not taken care of.

British citizens seeking entrance into Austria must provide a test certificate, full vaccination, or past infection certificate. Only a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test certificate is acceptable. Self-test and antigen tests are no longer valid.

Presenting a full vaccination certificate makes you free from any form of quarantine or tests. Candidates with PCR test certificates are expected to get a pre-travel clearance online before traveling. They are expected to be isolated for 10 days on arriving in Austria. Taking another PCR test on arrival can reduce the isolation period to 5 days.

British visitors to the Netherlands must take a pre-departure Covid-19 test and complete a passenger locator form before arrival. On arrival into the Netherlands, visitors are expected to self-isolate.

Unvaccinated British citizens entering Cyprus 72 hours before departure are expected to take a PCR test. On arrival, they are expected to take another PCR test and stay in isolation until the results of the PCR deems them fit to leave isolation.

Britons arriving in Denmark must take a post-arrival PCR test within 24 hours of arrival. They are also expected to self-isolate for ten days. The self-isolation period can be cut short if a covid test is taken after the fourth day of isolation, and it marks the individual as fit and healthy.

Vaccinated Britons face no form of restrictions when entering France. Unvaccinated citizens, however, are required to have taken either a PCR test or an antigenic test about 24 hours before boarding the flight.

British citizens entering the Czech Republic are required by the authorities to take a pre-departure Covid-19 test about 72 hours before arrival. They are also expected to complete a health form.

On arrival into the state, the visitor must take a post-arrival PCR test between 5 and 14 days of arrival.

Visitors to Italy from the United Kingdom that are unvaccinated must take a test 48 hours before arrival in Italy. The visitors are only allowed into Italy if the test result is negative.

Visitors from the United Kingdom must give the result of a PCR test taken within 3 days before departure, or an antigen test taken within 24 hours.

The ETIAS online application is a visa waiver system that allows holders to travel into the ETIAS Schengen countries without a visa application. It is expected to take action in 2022.

British citizens willing to travel into the European Union member states are expected to fill up the ETIAS application before the visit. Passport details and personal information are needed to fill up the application form. Some form of security questions and questions regarding health would be asked. The application process takes about 10 minutes, making it easier and faster than the conventional visa application process.