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Travel and transport - EU exit information

Travel to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein changed from 1 January 2021. What these changes are depend on how you’re travelling and where you're going to.

Before you travel

Things you may need to do before you go include:

  • check you have the right driving documents
  • check your passport
  • get travel insurance that covers your healthcare
  • organise pet travel - contact your vet at least four months before you go

NI citizens driving in the EU

Driving licence requirements

If you hold an NI/ UK driving licence you will not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the Republic of Ireland. You will, however, need to carry your NI/ UK driving licence. 

Drivers (both commercial and private) may need one or more IDPs, as well as their NI/ UK driving licence, to drive in other EU and EEA countries. 

You can only get IDPs over the counter at the Post Office and they cost £5.50. You will need to take certain documents with you to the Post Office when buying your IDP(s). 

Further information is available at:

  • International driving permit

If you’re driving abroad

You must renew your licence before you can drive abroad.

The UK government has issued guidance which is available at:

  • Drive abroad: step by step - GOV.UK 

If you are from NI but live in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and hold a UK/ NI driving licence, it is no longer legal for driving in ROI and must be exchanged for an Irish driving licence, so you can drive legally there.

Further information on driving in the Republic of Ireland and exchanging your UK/ NI driving licence for an Irish one is available from the Road Safety Authority.

Motor insurance requirements

NI drivers (private and commercial) no longer need to carry a physical Green Card when travelling across the border into the Republic of Ireland or driving in the rest of the EU and EEA, to prove they have valid insurance cover for their vehicle.

Vehicle distinguishing mark

Each country has its own distinguishing mark for the purposes of international traffic.

Under international conventions, the distinguishing mark for the United Kingdom is 'UK', standing for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Although vehicles registered in Northern Ireland or Great Britain are not required to display a UK sticker or symbol when driving in the Republic of Ireland, a UK sticker should be displayed on UK-registered vehicles when they're driven in the rest of the EU or EEA. 

Moving to another country

If you move to another country, you should check with the driving licence authorities there for information about driving and exchange of licences. You don't need to let Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) know of a change of address when moving to live abroad.    

Further information on driving in the EU is available on the gov.uk website.           

EU citizens driving in NI

The arrangements for EU and EEA licence holders will not change.

Visitors with EU and EEA driving licences will not need an IDP to drive in the UK. Therefore drivers with Irish driving licences will not require an IDP, to drive in NI.

Irish drivers visiting the UK/ NI will be able to prove adequate proof of motor insurance, in line with UK law, using either a Green Card, windscreen ‘disc’ issued by the motor insurer, or through legally valid insurance documents.  

Cross-border bus and rail travel

Cross-border bus and rail services may continue to operate as normal. 

All senior citizens resident in Northern Ireland aged 65 or over will still be eligible for free travel on public transport throughout the island of Ireland.

Passports

New rules now apply for travel to Europe.

You’ll need to have at least six months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including the Republic of Ireland).

You’ll need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

GOV.UK has guidance which gives more information on which countries this affects:

  • Passport rules for travel to Europe from 1 January 2021

The existing Common Travel Area between the UK and Ireland will continue.

Travelling with animals and pets

When travelling with your pet dog, cat or ferret, the rules you must follow depend on the country you are going to or coming from.

There is no change for pet travel to the EU, including the Republic of Ireland.

Pet travel from GB to Northern Ireland now requires additional health preparations and documents.

To make sure your pet is able to travel, you should contact your vet before travelling to get the latest advice.

You can get more information and check the rules for the country you’re travelling to on the DAERA website: 

  • Travelling with pets

More information from the UK government is available at this link:

  • Pet travel to Europe

Healthcare for UK nationals visiting the EU

You can get state healthcare when you’re on holiday or travelling to a country in the EU.

When you travel to an EU country you should have either:

  • a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
  • a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
  • travel insurance with healthcare cover

An EHIC or GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. Make sure you have both before you travel.

if you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should make your insurance company aware so that you are adequately covered.

Healthcare for UK nationals visiting Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

Currently an EHIC or GHIC cannot be used to access medically necessary healthcare in Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

You should get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you travel, including cover for pre-existing conditions.

In Norway you can use a UK passport to get medically necessary healthcare (for example emergency treatment or to treat a pre-existing condition).

Information on EHICs and GHICs is available at this link:

  • Healthcare for UK nationals visiting the EU
 
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Leaving the EU (Brexit)

  • Agriculture - EU exit information
  • Business - EU exit information
  • EU exit and the Northern Ireland Protocol
  • Financial services, banking and consumer issues - EU exit information
  • Find a job in Republic of Ireland
  • Medicines and healthcare supplies – EU exit information
  • Staying in Northern Ireland if you’re an EU citizen
  • Travel and transport - EU exit information
  • Working in Northern Ireland

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If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

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Call 0800 587 2750 
Email 
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If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

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If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

  • Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
  • Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about:

  • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
    contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
     
  • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
    contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

 

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

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