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With European travel due to open up once again in 2021, it’s time to start looking ahead and preparing for your next motorhome adventure.

Part of that preparation will be to familiarise yourself with the changes that have been imposed on travel now that the UK has left the European Union. With lockdowns dominating much of 2020, many wannabe tourers might not be aware of the travel changes that came into effect in January.

Read our quick guide to find out the latest advice on driving your home on wheels in Europe post-Brexit, and what you need to add to the checklist for your next foreign holiday.

Whatever time of year you travel to Europe, it’s always important to have the most appropriate motorhome or campervan insurance in place. Don’t leave home before you’ve spoken to the dedicated team of specialists at Lancaster Insurance, as we can help you find the right cover for your vehicle and circumstances.

Getting there and getting around

Taking a trip over to Europe before Brexit was a regular touring highlight for many motorhome and campervan owners. And while some things have changed post-Brexit, plenty remains the same and you shouldn’t have your usual plans disrupted too much – if you plan ahead.

With international and European travel currently restricted for those wanting to holiday abroad, the  

But while you’ll be able to enjoy all your favourite routes there are some extra things you’ll need to do before you take your motorhome or campervan for a spin through the EU. And plenty to remember once you get there. Here’s a run down of the top 10!

1. Check your passport validity

At the top of the list are the new passport validity rules that now apply to British travellers.

In order to be allowed into the EU, your passport will need to have at least six months left on it before it expires. And even if it has six months or more left, then it must still be less than 10 years old. If not, you’ll need to renew. These rules also apply for entrants to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

In order to maintain the unique relationship between the UK and Ireland, these rules don’t apply if you travel to the Emerald Isle. Provided your passport is valid for the entire length of your stay, there’s no need to renew.

It’s easy to check your passport’s validity. Just enter your passport issue and expiration dates and the dates you plan to travel on the UK government website.

However, don’t leave this until the last minute. Renewal can take up to three weeks online, and even longer by post so don’t let a forgotten passport renewal delay your trip – get it done as soon as possible.

2. Check whether your trip requires a visa

The vast majority of tourers won’t need a visa for their European trip. If you’re visiting countries in the border-free Schengen Area, you’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This is the case if you drive there as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.

Be aware that if you visit certain EU countries then different rules apply. If you’re visiting Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus or Romania then their border authorities won’t count visits to other EU countries as part of your 90-day total. So, if you want to lengthen your European vacation then why not take a drive through these stunning locations?

Even if you don’t need a visa, be mindful that your border control experience will be different to what you’re used to. As well as using separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss vehicles when queuing, you may also need to undergo special vehicle checks, show a return or onward ticket (if relevant) and show you have enough money for the length of your stay. Your passport may even be stamped on entry and exit.

Visa rules are subject to change in different countries so it’s still important to check the government’s foreign travel advice page for the country you’re travelling to. Particularly if you might stay longer than 90 days or want to work or study.

It’s currently expected that from the end of 2022 visa-exempt citizens travelling to Europe for short stays will need to apply for a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) visa waiver.

3. Check you have the right driving documents

First things first, what type of driving licence do you have? If you’ve a UK photocard driving licence then you should be fine for most short trips.

However, some drivers might also need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some EU countries and Norway if they have a paper licence (one with no photocard) or a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

An IDP is an official multi-language translation of your driving licence and costs £5.50 from a Post Office. It can usually be obtained on a same day basis, but to get an IDP you must:

• Be a resident of Great Britain or Northern Ireland.
• Have a full UK driving licence.
• Be 18 or over.

Again, it’s always worth double checking with the embassy of the country you will be driving in. Particularly as there are three types of IDP available and you might need a different type of IDP for each country you’re visiting.

Also, some countries require an IDP for longer trips. For example, you will need an IDP to drive in Denmark for periods longer than 90 days.

In any event, you will not need an IDP to drive when visiting Ireland if you have any type of UK driving licence.

In terms of other documents, the UK government recommends you carry your vehicle registration document (V5C) and it must show your current address. And, while not compulsory, it might be worth carrying a European Accident Statement form. This is a standardised carbonated document so drivers involved in an accident can easily exchange details and facts of any incident.

4. Buy a GB sticker and other driving essentials

After Brexit there have been some changes in the rules when it comes to identifying UK vehicles on the continent. Popular destinations like Spain, Cyprus or Malta require you to display a GB sticker on the back of your motorhome or campervan (and trailer if you’re towing one).

In other countries you only need to display a GB sticker if your number plate has a Euro symbol, a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales, or no flag or country identifier. If your number plate already includes a GB identifier on its own or with the Union flag then you won’t need to display a GB sticker.

Meanwhile, in Ireland you don’t need a GB sticker. If you like touring in Europe then it’s probably just safest to buy and display a GB sticker – they cost very little and save any worry.

All the usual rules will still apply when you're driving Europe, so you still need to pack safety equipment like reflective jackets, warning triangles, headlamp beam deflectors, and a first aid kit. Check what is required for the countries you’ll be visiting.

5. Contact your insurer for a Green Card

To prove you have vehicle insurance you must now carry a physical copy (not electronic) of a ‘Green Card’ when driving in any EU country (including Ireland), Andorra, Iceland, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland or Liechtenstein. If you’re towing another vehicle or trailer you might even need an extra Green Card to cover both.

Like many of the changes for drivers this is pretty straightforward providing you leave yourself plenty of time to get things sorted before you travel. Simply call your insurer and they’ll either post you a Green Card or tell you how to download and print one off yourself (no, it doesn’t need to be printed on green card).

There are several circumstances where you’ll need to show your Green Card:

• If you’re involved in an accident.
• At a border crossing when entering the EU/EEA or when moving between EU/EEA member states.
• If you’re stopped by the police.

Failure to have a Green Card could result in you being accused of driving without insurance, being prosecuted, fined or even having your camper or motorhome seized!

If you’re planning on travelling within Europe it’s always worth speaking with your motorhome or campervan insurance provider to make sure you’re fully covered. For example, not all insurance companies cover travel through all European countries.

A Green Card cannot be extended beyond your insurance policy period. So, if your campervan insurance policy will end during your trip then you may need two Green Cards.

6. Check the procedure in the event of an accident

Call your insurer and check what to do if you’re involved in a road accident while touring Europe. You’ll want to make sure that if there’s an accident your insurer will contact the other party’s insurer and deal with the matter on your behalf.

Before Brexit if your insurer didn’t provide this service then the Motor Insurers’ Bureau would do this for you. However, that’s no longer the case. So, if you want to avoid a legal headache it’s best to get the situation sorted before you leave.

7. Arrange travel insurance that covers healthcare

Within the EU, current European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) will remain valid until they expire. These will gradually be replaced by a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which will ensure you receive state medical care within the EU at either a reduced cost or for free.

However, neither the EHIC or the GHIC are a substitute for dedicated travel insurance with health cover. Particularly if you already have a pre-existing medical condition. Always read the fine print as making sure your insurance covers all it needs to is vitally important.

8. Call your mobile phone network provider

Driving in Europe would be very difficult without access to our ever-useful mobile phones. But while surcharge-free roaming is no longer guaranteed in the EU, hopefully many of us will still enjoy the benefits of this post-Brexit.

Currently the four main operators in the UK (Vodafone, EE, O2, and Three) have no plans to introduce roaming charges for Europe, but it’s worth checking for any changes before you travel.

9. Speak to your vet to organise pet travel

Many of us would feel lost driving around Europe without our four-legged co-pilots – after all, who else is going to read the map! Instead of your existing pet passport, you’ll now need an animal health certificate (AHC) when entering the EU and Northern Ireland.

Pet owners will need to complete the following steps before travel:

• Get your pet microchipped.
• Make sure your pet’s rabies vaccination is up to date.
• Get an AHC, signed by your vet.
• Get your dog a tapeworm treatment if you’re travelling to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland or Malta.

When you arrive in Europe, you might need to enter through a specific entry point with your pet and you might need to prove you’ve done all the above and present your AHC.

Make sure you allow at least four weeks to arrange the AHC and to make sure the correct vaccinations have been given.

10. Make sure you’ve got the best cover for your European tour

From a classic VW T2 Westfalia to the latest and most luxurious van conversion, when you’re hitting the European roads next year you’ll need the right campervan insurance.

Our dedicated team has protected thousands of campers over the years, so let us help you.

Policies arranged through Lancaster can include the following benefits:

• Personal effects cover up to £6,000
• Limit mileage discounts
• Optional breakdown cover available from £49.95
• 90 days EU cover
• 24-hour claims hotline
• UK based call centre
• Discounts for club members

Get a quick quote for campervan insurance today and get your European holiday off to a flying start.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.