News

Triangle To Beacon

From January 1 2026, drivers in Spain cannot use the breakdown warning triangle. According to the Spanish(Código deTráfico Seguridad Vial, the use of a new rotating high itensity light beacon will become compulsory when motorists break down. The V16 beacon must be carried inside the passenger compartment and used outside either on the vehicle's roof or side panel. Failure to do so could result in a fine ranging between €80 - €200. . .19/01/2025.

New Travel Rules For 2025

Non- European visitors without a visa to the UK will need pre-authorisation to enter the country. The new Electronic Travel Authorisation(ETA) requires visitors to complete an online application for a £10 digital permit. Valid for 2 years or on passport expiry, if within that time, this travel authorisation will be required for all European visitors from 2 April 2025.  British and Irish citizens are exempt.
Meanwhile the long awaited EU ETIAS scheme could finally start in May this year for all non-EU visitors without visas travelling to the Schengen Area. The scheme is to be phased in to allow countries time to adopt and will give a 6-month grace period for visitors to acquire the pre-travel authorisation. Application is online, costs €7 and lasts 3 years or upon passport expiry, whichever comes sooner. After this time, visitors without ETIAS accreditation will face border entry refusal. An estimated 1.4 billion non-EU visitors to 30 European countries is the potential number for this year. Both the EU and UK systems are similar to the U.S. ESTA system that screens visitors prior to arrival and is designed to enhance security. . .10/01/25.

Brittany Ferries News

Spring sees two new Hybrid LNG vessels, the Saint Malo and the Guillaume de Normandie, on the Portsmouth St Malo and Portsmouth Caen routes respectively. Their entry into service marks the latest two vessels in a five-year, five vessel replacement programme. Running on cleaner, Liquified Natural Gas, the two new additions will look to use electric power when approaching port and while alongside, in a bid to reduce harmful emissions. . .10/01/25.

Passport Control
Some UK travellers have experienced passport validity issues when trying to enter the EU. Problem arose after the Brexit leaving date requirIng UK passports to be less than10 years old with at least 3 months validity remaining after returning to the UK. The 10 year-old rule centres around the issue and expiry dates and caught out travellers who had renewed passports before Brexit and before they had expired with unused months added as an extension to their new passport. Issue and Expiry dates therefore exceeded the 10 year validity rule. Others fell foul of the 3 month validity after leaving the EU . . .30/03/24.  

ETS
From the beginning of 2024, sea and air passengers into the EU have faced a surcharge on their ticket prices. Known as the European Trading System, it is levied on carriers operating into the EU and is based upon greenhouse gas emissions. The small surcharge on ticket prices enables carriers to recoup the amount they pay and is under review. Less certain is where the revenue will go. . .30/03/24.

ETIAS
The European Travel and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is due to come into effect sometime in mid-2025. Similar to the U.S. ESTA system for pre-travel authorisation, it will apply to non-EU citizens visiting the Schengen area for a period up to 90 days. Costing approx €7 for an online application and valid for three years, it is designed to be carried with travel documentation and speed up formalities when entering the EU. The implementation date has already been delayed several times and was due later this year but the mid-2025 start date now seems the more likely. . .30/03/24. 

From EHIC to GHIC
Many European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) which gave subsidised access to urgent public healthcare in the EU have or are likely to expire shortly bringing participation in the scheme to a close. The Global Health Insurance Card(GHIC)which is the replacement scheme will apply to the 27 EU countries, Montenegro and Switzerland. Travel insurance is recommended to cover other vital services like repatriation not covered by the scheme. Applications should be made on the NHS website
https://overseas-healthcare.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/get-healthcare-cover-travelling-abroad/start. . .04/08/22.

Stamp Collection?
Visitors to the EU Schengen Area who are not EU nationals, residents or have visa status can only visit for a maximum stay of 90 days(single visit of 90 days or multiple visits  totalling 90 days)in any 180 day period. Passports are date stamped on arrival and departure to calculate days stayed in the EU and the days remaining. It is important that exit date stamps are made otherwise days remaining could be lost, resulting in a 90 day wait before entitlement restarts. . .04/08/22.