If you are travelling abroad this summer, allow plenty of time for the right documentation to arrive and to prepare yourself for the trip. Preparation is everything, and The Language Gap will help you with all of this if you get stuck.
Check the following:
- Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave your destination country in the EU. Some countries require 6 months' validity, so check carefully. Your passport must be no more than 10 years old in order to enter the EU.
- Order a free GHIC or EHIC for travel in the EU. In the UK this is easily ordered from the NHS website. It doesn't replace travel insurance, but it does give you access to free healthcare in the EU. Treatment may be refused in some locations unless you can show the card or a provisional replacement card number.
- Ensure you have adequate travel insurance to cover all your activities while you are away. Under 18s may not be covered by annual family policies when they travel alone. Use Money Saving Expert's excellent travel insurance search tool to find the best option for your needs.
- Use the UK gov.uk website to check entry requirements for your destination. It also has an excellent explanation of the Schengen zone rules for UK citizens here. Don't risk overstaying; the penalty is hefty!
- Check vaccinations and health advice for your destination at Fit for Travel, a valuable resource published by the NHS.