Anyone wishing to travel to the United Kingdom must be able to present an international passport at the border from today. That is one of the Brexit measures that apply from today.
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A city trip to London, a greeting to the Queen or a walking holiday through the English countryside as of today is no longer as easy as before. Until recently you could cross the channel by showing your identity card, from now on you have to present an international passport. This measure came into effect on October 1, 2021.
– A Belgian passport for international travel. Photo: ISOPIX
How do I apply for a passport?
If you are not yet in possession of the travel document, you must request it at least a week in advance from the municipality. In the normal delivery period, the passport is delivered to the municipal authorities no later than the fifth working day following the application. A passport costs between 60 and 80 euros, but in urgent procedure the costs can go up to 350 euros. The exact prices can be found on the website of your municipality.
For the application you need your identity card and a color passport photo. The photo must meet a number of criteria, which you will find here. You must sign the application and two fingerprints will be registered.
Do children also have to have a passport?
Yes. The application proceeds in the same way. So you must bring a photo and the Kids ID , if your child has one. A passport application for minors is about half the price of an adult passport.
Do I need a Visum?
No, that is not a requirement for a holiday. A visa is required to work or study at an English educational institution. If you are planning a stay longer than six months, you will also need a visa. For more information, please visit the embassy website justly.
I’m going to drive. Do I also need an international driver’s license?
No, your Belgian driving license is sufficient. Keep in mind that you will have to drive on the left side of the road. A full tank before crossing the canal is probably not a luxury. The United Kingdom is currently struggling with fuel shortages due to a lack of truck drivers to deliver the fuel.
Are you traveling with a rental car? Make sure to check whether your rental insurance also covers the English region. Insurance documents from rental companies from the EU are often only legally valid on European territory.
Which corona measures should I take into account?
Are you fully vaccinated? Then you must have a Passenger Locator Form fill. You must also take a pre-departure test. In the case of a PCR test, it may be a maximum of 72 hours old. An antigen test should not be older than 48 hours. On day 2 after arrival you will have to take another test. It must be booked and paid in advance. You don’t have to quarantine and you don’t have to take a test on day 8.
Are you staying less than eight days? Then the test expires on the eighth day.
You are not fully vaccinated? Then the above measures apply, with the difference that you have to quarantine for ten days at the place where you are staying. In addition to the pre-departure test and the day 2 test, you should also take a test on day 8. It must also be booked and paid in advance.
Children ten years and younger do not need to take a pre-departure test. Children four years old and younger are also excluded from the day 2 test.
Also keep in mind that when you return to Belgium, just like with any foreign trip, you have to fill in the Passenger Location Form (PLF).
These measures are subject to change. So be sure to check the valid measures via FOD Abroad.
Do I have to pay for roaming on my mobile traffic?
The Belgian providers do not apply roaming charges for the time being. In the United Kingdom you therefore pay the same amount for text messages, mobile internet usage and telephone traffic as in Belgium.
Do I have to take customs measures into account?
There are import restrictions on alcohol and tobacco. You are not allowed to take meat, fish or dairy products across the border. The full measures can be found here.
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