ABTA reassures holidaymakers after Brexit vote

ABTA has issued guidelines for holidaymakers who are concerned about the impact of the EU Referendum decision.

With many agents saying they are getting enquiries from worried customers, the association has reassured the British public there will be no change in the way people travel for at least two years.

"Travellers are as free to move between the UK and the EU as they were yesterday, European Health Insurance cards remain valid and regulations such as Air Passenger Rights remain in place," it said.

"People due to travel this summer will see little changes to their holiday. Once the UK formally notifies the EU of its intention to leave, the remaining Member States will have up to two years to offer the UK a deal for a future trading relationship and during this period holidaymakers will not see any immediate changes."

But it did admit the sharp fall in value of the pound will have an immediate impact on the spending power of Brits overseas.

Answering some of the most common questions, ABTA said:

How will Brexit affect my holiday?
Until the UK officially leaves the EU, not sooner than two years’ time, there will be no changes to holiday arrangements. Travellers are as free to move between the UK and the EU as they were before the vote, European Health Insurance cards remain valid and regulations such as Air Passenger Rights remain in place.

I’m going to Europe this summer, is my passport still valid?
Yes. Until the UK officially leaves the EU, not sooner than two years’ time, there will be no changes to passports.

I’ve booked a holiday for next year – do I need to do anything?
No. Until the UK officially leaves the EU, not sooner than two years’ time, there will be no changes to holiday arrangements.

Do I need to get a new passport?
No. Until the UK officially leaves the EU, not sooner than two years’ time, there will be no change to passport arrangements.

Which queue will I go into at the airport – EU passports or all others?
The same queue as you did before the vote. Until the UK officially leaves the EU, not sooner than two years’ time, there will no change to passport arrangements.

Do I need a visa to go to Spain?
No. Until the UK officially leaves the EU, not sooner than two years’ time, there will be no change to passport arrangements.

What about my European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?
You can still use your EHIC card abroad. There will be no immediate changes to using your EHIC card abroad. Arrangements between the UK and other EU countries will have to be reached once the UK officially leaves the EU.

Can I still get compensation if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
Yes. There will be no immediate changes to claiming compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled. The UK Government will need to implement a new law on compensation for flight delays and compensation after we leave the EU.

What about duty free? Can I still bring goods home?
You can still bring home unlimited goods until we officially leave the EU. The free movement of goods will be part of a negotiated settlement with the EU.

What about using my mobile phone abroad? Will roaming charges increase?
There will be no immediate changes to using your phone abroad, and there won’t be an immediate impact on charges. The UK Government will need to implement a new law on roaming charges after we leave the EU, otherwise the service providers will be free to set roaming charges.

Can I still take money out from cashpoints abroad?
Yes, you can continue to take out cash, as normal.

Will it be more expensive to go on holiday abroad?
Not necessarily. If you are travelling abroad and you have already paid for all of your travel arrangements, as part of a package holiday for example, then you will be protected to a large degree from a drop in the value of the pound. However, your spending power while abroad will be impacted in the event of a weaker pound, making it more expensive to buy things like meals and drinks.

What does this mean for the price of my holiday abroad?
If you are travelling abroad and you have already paid for all of your travel arrangements, as part of a package holiday for example, then you will be protected to a large degree from a drop in the value of the pound. People paying for overseas accommodation in other currencies (e.g. in euros or dollars) can expect to pay more in the event of a weaker pound.

Will the cost of flights increase?
A weaker pound may impact the cost of flights in the short term, in the longer term the UK Government will seek to negotiate full access to the EU’s common aviation market, which has delivered the open skies arrangements we have today.

My travel company has asked me to pay more for my holiday due to the currency fluctuations. Is that ok?
Check the terms and conditions of the organiser that you’ve booked with. If you’ve booked a package holiday this is covered by certain rules: the maximum surcharge by law is up to 10% of the original cost of the holiday. If you haven’t booked a package, you should check the terms and conditions of your travel arrangement.