UK Camineers

[Deleted member 61803]

Just be careful when making your plans. From 1st Jan 2021 you will probably need to ensure you have over six months left on your passport. We will need to adhere to the EU visiting rules which require this.
Also, though still not certain, our E111 health cards may cease to be valid, so keep an eye open for any changes in that respect . You may need to consider adding the purchase of medical insurance with repatriation as part of your forward planning.
We may also be limited to the number of days in any rolling period that we can actually stay in the whole of the EU.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

'Tis sometimes better to plan hopefully than to arrive.

 

[Deleted member 61803]

Aye Jeff, I got a letter today from my car insurance company reminding me of the probable need for green cards ( last used circa 1974?) and international driving licenses if travelling off this little island. How many people actually know that or how to get them?

Strangely I wasn't thinking of driving to St Jean. However......

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Aye Jeff, I got a letter today from my car insurance company reminding me of the probable need for green cards ( last used circa 1974?) and international driving licenses if travelling off this little island. How many people actually know that or how to get them?

Strangely I wasn't thinking of driving to St Jean. However......

And different requirements for France and Spain - madness I tell you! Madness!

I wonder if we British will again need a bail bond to drive in Spain? Without it, if you'd had an accident, you were unlikely to be allowed to leave the country . . . now there's a thought

 

[Harington]

Just be careful when making your plans. From 1st Jan 2021 you will probably need to ensure you have over six months left on your passport. We will need to adhere to the EU visiting rules which require this.
Also, though still not certain, our E111 health cards may cease to be valid, so keep an eye open for any changes in that respect . You may need to consider adding the purchase of medical insurance with repatriation as part of your forward planning.
We may also be limited to the number of days in any rolling period that we can actually stay in the whole of the EU.

It's not a question of "may" - alas - but will.

 

[Deleted member 61803]

It's not a question of "may" - alas - but will.

Seemingly since these health rules applied before we joined the EU and they may actually keep them in place. Both we and the EU have reciprocal health care with many countries outside the EU.
We just don't know.

One thing for certain that people need to be aware of. Is that it is extremely difficult to get private health insurance that covers preexisting conditions at a reasonable price.

 

[Kathar1na]

Seemingly

A small word of caution here. It's important to be clear about it. I would urge everyone from the UK to get travel insurance for healthcare for any stay in a EU country as of 1 January 2021. This is the current state of affairs:

UK nationals will not be able to access healthcare in the EU on the basis of EHIC as from the end of the transition period [= 31 December 2020].​

​

Source: Notice on travelling between the EU and the United Kingdom after the end of the transition period, updated on 2 December 2020, issued by European Commission​

Better safe than sorry!

 

[Kathar1na]

See also the UK government's guidance, for example Healthcare for UK nationals visiting Spain, last updated on 9 November 2020.

As things stand at the moment, EHIC cards are finito in 2021 for UK passport holders who live in the UK and travel to Spain after 1 January.

 

[NorthernLight]

International driver’s licenses are generally not legal instruments, rather they are a handy device for translation. Some countries require them, other’s are happy enough with your national license. As a Canadian, I’ve hired cars in France with only my Canadian driver’s license.

Good luck with the impending transition!

 

[domigee]

Aye Jeff, I got a letter today from my car insurance company reminding me of the probable need for green cards ( last used circa 1974?) and international driving licenses if travelling off this little island. How many people actually know that or how to get them?

Strangely I wasn't thinking of driving to St Jean. However......

One of my students today told me you got them from the Post Office. I haven’t verified....

 

[domigee]

See also the UK government's guidance, for example Healthcare for UK nationals visiting Spain, last updated on 9 November 2020.

As things stand at the moment, EHIC cards are finito in 2021 for UK passport holders who live in the UK and travel to Spain after 1 January.

I guess it is the same for French passport holders who live in the UK?

 

[Deleted member 61803]

Thanks Kathar1na, I missed that.

Proves how useful it is to share these planning thoughts.

I get overseas medical cover through my bank account. And lo and behold today I got an email describing the changes in cover, not too onerous, however they said that if I opted out from now on they would not permit the re-opting back in in the future, and that cover will no longer be available to any one who had not already opted in and would not be offered to new customers. Sad.


Yes there are two international drivers licenses which can be used depending on which countries signed whatever treaties both available at Post Offices.

 

[Sherpa47]

Just be careful when making your plans. From 1st Jan 2021 you will probably need to ensure you have over six months left on your passport. We will need to adhere to the EU visiting rules which require this.
Also, though still not certain, our E111 health cards may cease to be valid, so keep an eye open for any changes in that respect . You may need to consider adding the purchase of medical insurance with repatriation as part of your forward planning.
We may also be limited to the number of days in any rolling period that we can actually stay in the whole of the EU.

It is a tragedy for EU Remain/Camino Brits. So sad. However, I will return to my beloved Camino next year.

 

[Sue127]

This was updated by the UK gov yesterday. Unless you plan to spend more than 90 days on a Camino, UK visitors will not have a problem, apart from ensuring they have proper medical insurance: https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021

 

[Deleted member 76633]

I guess it is the same for French passport holders who live in the UK?

Yes it appears to be residency rather than nationality. But if you find out differently let me know.

 

[Kathar1na]

But if you find out differently let me know.

There will be new rules/rights for EU nationals who live in the UK under the new ‘settlement status’ and their visits to EU countries and their health insurance cover. It is explained on the UK government’s website, see the link that I had posted earlier in this thread: Healthcare for UK nationals visiting Spain, last updated on 9 November 2020. Despite the title, the linked page has also information for non-UK nationals from the UK and visiting Spain.

Recent quote from the French minister for European Affairs: Whatever happens on Jan. 1 (ie last minute deal between EU and UK or ‘chaotic’ end of transition period) we will be in a different universe.