The UK will formally leave the European Union on 31 January 2020 – the fourth proposed date for Brexit.

Many prospective travellers to Europe have contacted The Independent concerned about changes from 1 February 2020.

While there is no certainty about what awaits UK travellers from 2021 onwards, the Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) has confirmed to The Independent that rules on passports, driving licences, EHICs and mobile roaming will remain the same until the implementation period ends on 31 December 2020.

“During the implementation period, which runs until the end of December this year, travel to the EU will remain the same,” a government spokesperson said.

Yet conflicting online advice is confusing travellers.

Passports

In the online advice embedded on the Skyscanner website, travellers have been wrongly warned: “As Brexit negotiations continue, it’s best to check you’ve at least 6 months left on your passport from the start of your trip.”

That is nonsense. Until the end of 2020, UK passports are valid for travel anywhere in the European Union up to and including the date of expiry.

The advice has now been taken down.

Some online advice says you will need to show a return or onward ticket, and that you have enough money for your stay, when you enter an EU country. But during 2020 the frontier official can only check that you have a valid passport.

Such stipulations could well apply after the implementation period, along with the need to get online visas for the EU. But they will not be required up to 31 December 2020.

Ignore the government's online passport checking service, too, because it will tell you the rules that apply in the event of leaving the European Union without a deal on 31 January 2020 – which, we are assured, will not happen.

Driving licences

The current advice on gov.uk, which sets out “What you will need to drive while visiting the EU if there’s a no-deal Brexit,” warns: “You may need one or more international driving permits (IDPs).”

The official advice is unhelpful since nothing will change during the implementation period. UK driving licences are valid in the European Union with no additional paperwork.

Motor insurance

At present British policies are automatically extended to the EU. So despite the government’s “no-deal” advice to “Contact your vehicle insurance provide 1 month before you travel to get green cards,” there is no need to do so for the rest of 2020.

European Health Insurance Card

The EHIC will continue to provide medical treatment for British travellers at public hospitals in EU countries on the same basis as local people until 31 December 2020.

Mobile roaming

The EU’s free roaming rules apply for British travellers for the remainder of the year.

Pets

Although the government advises “allow at least 4 months to arrange” to take a cat, dog or ferret to the EU, the present rules on pets continue until 31 December 2020.

Transport

Flights, trains and ferries will be unaffected up to and including 31 December 2020.

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