04 Apr
2019

EU gives final confirmation UK visitors won’t need a visa after Brexit

Today, Thursday 4 April, the European Parliament has approved legal changes to ensure that UK citizens will not need a visa to travel to the EU for short stays after Brexit – even in the event of a no-deal exit.

The European Commission announced in November its intention that, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, UK citizens will still be able to travel to the EU for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without needing a visa. 

Today’s vote of the full European Parliament, in Brussels, is the last stage in approving the necessary legislation. 

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said:

“Today’s vote provides absolute certainty that UK holidaymakers and business travellers will be able to travel visa-free to Europe, deal or no deal. 

“It follows on from the confirmation a few weeks ago that flights will continue to operate, even in a no deal. This means that two of the most important concerns for UK tourists and business travellers visiting the EU have been addressed and will provide a further boost to confidence about travel to the EU after Brexit.

“While it is encouraging that these issues have been addressed, securing a deal is very much the preferred outcome, and we encourage parliamentarians to explore all options to avoid a no-deal.

“With the ongoing uncertainty about how and when the UK will leave the EU, it is difficult for travel businesses to predict what will happen, so it is important Members continue to plan and prepare for any eventuality.”

ABTA has updated its Brexit contingency planning guidance for Members to reflect the latest developments, the document is available in ABTA’s MemberZone – abta.com/Member-Zone.

ABTA is providing advice to travellers about visiting the EU after Brexit, with the latest information available at abta.com/Brexit.

For further information, contact:
Emma Brennan, Head of Media and PR, ebrennan@abta.co.uk or 020 3117 0514 
ABTA press office, press@abta.co.uk or 020 3117 0596

Out of Hours:  Contact the Duty Press Officer via landline: 020 3693 0183
Web: www.abta.com
Twitter: @ABTAtravel

Notes to editors
ABTA has been a trusted travel brand for over 65 years. Our purpose is to help our Members to grow their businesses successfully and sustainably, and to help their customers travel with confidence. 
The ABTA brand stands for support, protection and expertise. This means consumers have confidence in ABTA and a strong trust in ABTA Members. These qualities are core to us as they ensure that holidaymakers remain confident in the holiday products that they buy from our Members. 

We help our Members and their customers navigate through today's changing travel landscape by raising standards in the industry; offering schemes of financial protection; providing an independent complaints resolution service should something go wrong; giving guidance on issues from sustainability to health and safety and by presenting a united voice to government to ensure the industry and the public get a fair deal.

ABTA has around 1,200 Members, with a combined annual UK turnover of £38 billion. For more details about what we do, what being an ABTA Member means and how we help the British public travel with confidence visit www.abta.com.