A senior government minister has urged holidaymakers to take out comprehensive travel insurance for trips after the UK leaves the EU.
But a summary of the UK’s post-Brexit agreement with the EU suggests a reciprocal health scheme “akin” to EHIC will “continue”.
Michael Gove said businesses and travellers should prepare for “substantial” change from New Year’s Eve.
The Cabinet Office minister warned of “some disruption” and “practical and procedural changes” despite a trade deal being agreed with the EU on Christmas Eve.
European ambassadors are due to discuss the post-Brexit trade deal this week and parliament has been recalled this week so MPs can vote on in.
Gove encouraged people travelling to the EU to check their mobile phone provider’s roaming charges, as well as take out comprehensive travel insurance.
“The nature of our new relationship with the EU – outside the Single Market and Customs Union – means that there are practical and procedural changes that businesses and citizens need to get ready for, and time to make these final preparations is very short,” he said.
“We know that there will be some disruption as we adjust to new ways of doing business with the EU, so it is vital that we all take the necessary action now.”
Businesses have been urged to make sure they understand the new rules on importing and exporting goods, including the different rules that apply to trade with Northern Ireland, and to consider how they will make customs declarations on EU trade.
The post-Brexit deal was agreed days before a deadline. Both sides have agreed not to tax trade between the UK and the bloc.
A summary of the post-Brexit trade agreement has been published by the government.
It doesn’t mention travel insurance directly, but says healthcare cover will be offered to UK citizens in EU countries responsible for the healthcare of an individual, with the same extended to citizens of those countries in the UK. “This includes certain categories of cross-border workers and state pensioners who retire to the UK or to the EU,” the summary said.
It also said that healthcare provisions ‘akin to those provided by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) scheme’ will continue. “This means individuals who are temporarily staying in another country, for example a UK national who is in an EU member state for a holiday, will have their necessary healthcare needs met for the period of their stay,” it said.
It also says the agreement “contains measures to encourage cooperation on the promotion of fair and transparent rates for international mobile roaming.”
The summary also set out the arrangements for the operation of air transport services between the UK and the EU, and said UK airlines majority-owned and controlled by EU individuals or businesses “may continue to operate air transport services between the UK and the EU”, with a reciprocal agreement for EU airlines.
Aircraft and crew can be leased between UK and EU airlines, which will be given “extensive opportunities to cooperate”
The summary said: “The agreement reflects the shared ambition of both the UK and the EU to cooperate in future, including commitments for continued cooperation and consultation on air traffic management, aviation security and consumer protection.”
It also said the agreement on post-Brexit aviation safety “is largely in line” with the current precedent and UK and EU certificates, approvals and licences will be recognised by the other party – though annexes can be agreed in future.