1. What passport validity do travellers need for an EU business trip?

It's recommended that on the day you travel, you have at least six months left on your passport. This allows for: 

• Travelling in Europe for up to three months (you don’t normally need a visa for the first 90 days in every 180 days of travel)
• The requirement from most European countries to have at least three months left on your passport on the day after you leave

Your passport must also be less than 10 years old on the day after you leave. If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the minimum period needed.

These rules do not apply to travel to Ireland. You can continue to use your passport as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay.

Check a passport for travel to Europe on the government's passport checker tool.

2. Do UK travellers need a visa for a business trip to Europe?

Entry requirements differ for each country.

UK travellers may need a visa or work permit when travelling to countries in the Schengen area (EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Travellers may be refused entry if they do not have the correct visa or work permit. Additionally they may be refused entry if they have exceed 90 days in a 180 day-period.

To stay longer for work, study or for business travel, travellers may need a visa or work permit including these scenarios: 

• Transferring from the UK branch of a company to a branch in a different country (‘intra-corporate transfer’), even for a short period of time.
• Carrying out contracts to provide services to a client in a country where the employer has no presence.

For country specific information visit this government page.

Alternatively, get an instant answer from CIBT’s Post-Brexit Travel Assessment.

3. How long can a traveller stay in the Schengen area without a visa?

UK travellers may be able stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without needing a visa. If they exceed those days in that period they might be refused entry.

For country specific information visit this government page.

4. If a traveller needs a visa for a 90/180 day trip, how do they get one?

Visa and entry requirements differ for each country. For country specific information visit this government page.

Alternatively, get an instant answer from CIBT’s Post-Brexit Travel Assessment.

5. Can someone work in an EU country where the employer has no presence?

Yes but they will likely need a visa or work permit. Visa and entry requirements differ for each country.

For country specific information visit this government page.

Alternatively, get an instant answer from CIBT’s Post-Brexit Travel Assessment.

6. What if a traveller needs to take multiple trips?

Travellers can take multiple trips but the 90 out of 180 day rule will still apply.

For country specific information visit this government page.

7. Can EU, EEA and Swiss citizens still use an ID card to get into the UK?

From 1st October 2021, ID cards are no longer be accepted and they can only travel to the UK using a valid passport, unless they have

• applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, or have an application pending
• or otherwise have protected rights under the Citizens’ Rights Agreements

8. Can UK travellers still drive in the EU?

Yes but they need more paperwork. Travellers driving in Europe will need to contact their insurer six weeks before they travel to get a green card which proves they have insurance.

When driving in Europe, travellers will need to have with them:

• Drivers licence
• Log book (V5C) if the traveller owns the car or VE103 form if the car is hired or leased
• Valid insurance documents
• Green card from insurer – more information here
• GB sticker – more information here
• International driving permit (IDP) if you have a paper driving licence and those with a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man – more information here

The UK government advises checking driving regulations with embassies. 

9. Are there changes to A1 certificates?

Check which country's social security contributions UK workers must pay if working in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland here.

CIBT can provide advice on A1 certificates.

10. Will EU disruption compensation remain the same for UK travellers?

From 1 January 2021 there were some changes to air passenger rights for flights operated by a UK carrier.

The European Union’s website has a tool to check what a passenger is entitled to in different scenarios. Take a look.   

11. Are there changes to taxation, social security and VAT?

The UK government has released guidelines on whether you still have to pay UK Income Tax and to which country social security contributions should be paid to. Check the guidance here.  

For information on paying National Insurance visit this page.

For information on paying social security contributions visit this page.

VAT

UK customers will continue to receive UK compliant VAT invoices from FCM.

Businesses based in the UK and Isle of Man can no longer claim on EU VAT incurred on or before 31 December 2020. They also no longer have access to the EU electronic portal to submit claims.

Businesses can continue to claim refunds on EU VAT incurred on or after 1 January 2021. They will have to use processes for non-EU businesses, which vary across each country. UK businesses may need to provide a certificate of status in order to get a refund.

Find country specific information on the EU Commission’s website.