Things have certainly changed for the business traveller following our European divorce. As with all business trips, or for that matter any sort of trip abroad, it’s important to plan ahead and make sure all eventualities are covered. There is an excellent online resource available through the government’s own website that offers detailed information for travelling to all 226 countries or territories from the UK: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
You can search for specific countries, sign up for email updates too in case of any changes. When planning your trip, this useful tool, available from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), can be very important in getting up to date information on travel.
Brexit changed many fundamental requirements for travel from the UK to the continent, but there were long standing relationships between the UK and Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man relating to an agreement called the ‘Common Travel Area’. The changes to visa and passport rules following Brexit didn’t apply, and many other changes to business travel were adopted differently to the rest of the European Union. Detailed advice is available through the FCDO, particularly in relation to travel to and from Ireland. The information below offers general advice for European destinations. Please ensure you visit the FCDO specific page on your intended destination(s) to plan your trip with the most up to date information.
Timescales
If you’re travelling on business for no more than 90 days in a 180 day period, you’ll be able to travel without a work permit or visa. If you’re planning to stay for more than 180 days, entry requirements and rules for many countries differ, so it’s important to review the latest information to ensure you travel with the correct documentation in place.
Travelling with goods
Many business trips include travelling with goods, samples or other items relating to your specific needs. It’s important to ensure you have the correct documentation for those goods, especially if you have sold or intend to sell those goods to other businesses located in your intended destination. Customs requirements can be found on the gov.uk website: gov.uk/check-customs-declaration.
Be careful if you intend to take any foodstuffs from the UK to Europe – products containing Milk or Meat are restricted. You will also need to make a declaration if you take £10,000 or more in cash with you. When returning from the EU to the UK, you can bring in a certain amount of goods without paying tax or duty. More details on this can be found on gov.uk.
Visa requirements
Holders of UK passports can stay in the EU for a 90 day period within any 180 day limit without the need for a visa. For longer stays countries have individual requirements (check on the FCDO site for details). The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be implemented in 2025. This is similar to the US ESTA, allowing stays of up to 3 years within the Schengen group of countries (also including Cyprus).
Passports
A valid UK passport is required to travel across the EU. Passports must be issued less than 10 years before the date of your travel, and also need to be valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date. You can check the passport validity rules for each destination by visiting the FCDO’s dedicated pages for individual countries and reviewing the entry requirements section. Additionally, a new automated Entry/Exit System (EES) is anticipated to streamline passport processing by late 2024. When you do pass through border control, you will now need to use the ‘third country’ or ‘non-EU’ visitor lanes.
Your passport will be stamped on entry and exit. Some EU countries are introducing e-gates to replace manual checks. You may also need to show a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
Insurance
As with all travel abroad travel insurance is crucial. With business travel, any cover needs to extend to business activities, and specialist brokers and business travel insurers offer policies that cover most eventualities and requirements. If you have a current European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), it will be valid until the expiration date on the card. If your EHIC has expired, apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which is accepted in all EU countries and some others. Always ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance that provides adequate healthcare coverage, including cover for pre-existing conditions and any planned activities.
Phone coverage
The rules around mobile data roaming requirements have changed, and it would be prudent to check with your provider prior to travelling to ensure you don’t get any nasty surprises. There are many roaming packages available for EU travel, and especially if your trip has sparse wi-fi coverage it’s important to know about any data limitations before your visit. It may be necessary to inform your provider which countries you are visiting to ensure uninterrupted service. Check with your mobile provider for specific details.
Driving
Requirements for driving in the EU vary by country, and it’s important to ensure you follow the correct procedures for each country you visit. Your trip may include taking a vehicle with you travelling from the UK via the channel tunnel or ferry. General guidelines for taking your own vehicle include:
UK car stickers are required.
UK Blue Badges are accepted in some countries; check the specific rules for each as they may vary.
An international driving permit (IDP) may be necessary for some licenses; verify the requirements for your destination.
Other considerations
If your business trip involves having certain qualifications for the activities or roles you are planning. It may be necessary to check whether your professional qualifications will be recognised in the specific country you are visiting.
Tax implications of the trip need to be considered
Most travel expenses when associated 100% with business can be offset against business tax liabilities, however, things like consumption of alcohol, sharing expenses with leisure activities, sightseeing, vehicle mileage – all these need to reviewed before any claims are made. The advice from your accountant would be beneficial in assigning any expenses against your tax bill.
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