For decades, British passport holders enjoyed some of the strongest travel privileges in the world. With membership in the European Union came freedom of movement, streamlined visa requirements, and the ability to live, work, or retire in 27 other countries. However, since the UK officially left the EU on January 31, 2020, the landscape of international travel for British citizens has changed—sometimes in subtle ways, other times dramatically.

Traveling the world on a UK passport is still very possible, but new realities must be considered. Brexit has introduced fresh layers of bureaucracy, time limits on stays, and new rules regarding healthcare, border checks, and even roaming charges. In this article, we’ll explore how Brexit has affected global mobility for UK citizens, what challenges travellers may now face, and where opportunities still exist for exploration, adventure, and long-term stays abroad.

Pre-Brexit vs Post-Brexit: A Quick Overview

Before Brexit, UK passport holders were treated like citizens of the EU, enjoying:

  • Visa-free travel across the EU and Schengen Area for unlimited stays.
  • The right to live, work, or study in any EU member state.
  • Reciprocal healthcare benefits within the EU.
  • Streamlined customs and border processes.

Since Brexit, these benefits have been significantly altered. While UK citizens can still visit EU countries, the ease and length of stays have changed, and there are more restrictions on work, study, and residency rights in Europe. Additionally, UK travellers must now navigate a broader range of entry requirements when traveling the world, including differing visa rules for non-EU countries.

The 90/180 Rule for EU Travel

Perhaps the most significant change for UK travellers in Europe is the 90/180 rule. This rule states that British citizens can only stay in the Schengen Area—which includes 27 European countries—for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period without a visa.

What this means:

  • You can spend 90 days in France, Germany, Spain, etc.—in total—every six months.
  • The 90-day limit applies across the entire Schengen Zone, not per country.
  • Overstaying this period could result in fines, deportation, or entry bans.

This is a considerable adjustment for retirees, digital nomads, or long-term travellers who previously stayed in Europe for months on end without issue.

Work and Residency: No Longer Automatic

UK citizens can no longer live or work in EU countries without applying for a visa or residency permit. This shift has affected:

  • Remote workers who previously based themselves in European cities.
  • Students attending universities in Europe.
  • Professionals accepting short- or long-term contracts abroad.
  • Second-home owners in places like Spain or Portugal who must now navigate complex visa categories or time limitations.

Each country now has its own rules for UK citizens, which may include visa applications, proof of income, criminal record checks, and health insurance requirements.

Brexit and Global Travel Beyond the EU

While the most obvious changes affect Europe, Brexit also influences global travel in more indirect ways.

Examples include:

  • ETIAS System: Starting in mid-2025, UK travellers will need to apply for ETIAS authorisation (similar to the U.S. ESTA) before visiting EU countries. It’s not a visa, but it adds an administrative step and a small fee.
  • Reciprocity agreements: Some global travel agreements previously negotiated through the EU are being renegotiated by the UK alone. This affects fast-track entry, business visas, and long-stay rights in some countries.
  • International perception: Some countries now treat UK travellers differently from EU citizens when processing visas or travel paperwork.

Still, the UK passport remains highly powerful—ranking consistently in the top 10 globally—with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 180 countries.

Healthcare and Travel Insurance

One often-overlooked Brexit impact is on healthcare during travel.

Pre-Brexit:

  • British citizens had access to the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), which provided free or discounted public healthcare in EU countries.

Post-Brexit:

  • The EHIC has been replaced by the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card), which provides similar coverage in most EU countries but not all, and not outside Europe.
  • Travel insurance is now essential, especially for emergency medical coverage.
  • Non-EU countries have varying rules, so always check your destination’s healthcare requirements and costs.

Roaming Charges Are Back

When the UK was part of the EU, mobile phone users enjoyed free roaming across member states. Post-Brexit, those protections are no longer guaranteed.

What this means:

  • Mobile providers can now charge roaming fees for calls, texts, and data in the EU.
  • Some UK carriers still offer free roaming, but many now impose daily usage limits or extra fees.
  • Travellers should check their plan or purchase local SIMs or travel eSIMs to avoid bill shock.

Longer Waits at Borders

Brexit has impacted airport and land border processing:

  • UK travellers must now go through “third country” lanes at EU airports.
  • Expect longer lines, more questions about travel plans, and sometimes requests for proof of accommodation, return flights, or sufficient funds.
  • UK citizens no longer benefit from EU fast-track entry lanes, even within the Schengen zone.

These changes mean that frequent flyers or weekend travellers may find Europe less convenient than it once was.

Owning Property Abroad

For years, owning a holiday home in France, Spain, or Italy was part of the British dream. Post-Brexit, this remains possible but is more complicated.

New considerations include:

  • Time limits (again, the 90/180 rule).
  • Higher taxes and restrictions for non-EU owners in some regions.
  • Extra paperwork, including residency permits if you plan to spend more than 90 days at a time.

Still, thousands of Brits continue to buy and maintain second homes in Europe—many now splitting time carefully to comply with new limits.

Opportunities Still Exist

Despite the added challenges, traveling the world on a UK passport remains incredibly viable. Some of the advantages that still exist include:

  • Visa-free access to popular long-haul destinations like Japan, Canada, the USA, Australia, and most of Latin America.
  • The ability to apply for digital nomad visas in countries like Portugal, Croatia, and Estonia.
  • Bilateral agreements between the UK and Commonwealth countries (such as Australia and New Zealand) that make long-term stays and work travel more accessible.

Brexit may have complicated EU travel, but it’s also sparked innovation in long-term travel planning, including slow travel, location independence, and country-hopping beyond Europe.

🔄 How UK Travellers Are Adapting

British travellers are responding to these changes in smart, creative ways:

  • Applying for second passports (especially Irish citizenship) to retain EU access.
  • Using travel advisors to navigate new visa rules.
  • Staggering trips to stay within the 90/180 limit while seeing more of the world.
  • Embracing non-European destinations and remote work opportunities.

The British appetite for global exploration remains strong—and where doors have closed, new ones are opening.

✈️ Final Thoughts

Brexit has undeniably reshaped the travel landscape for UK citizens, particularly in relation to Europe. Longer queues, stricter rules, and visa applications have replaced the seamless movement many once took for granted. Yet, the world is still open for exploration—and for those willing to adapt, traveling the world on a UK passport is not only possible but full of new possibilities.

Whether you’re planning a weekend in Rome, a three-month work stint in Bali, or a gap year that crosses continents, informed planning is more crucial than ever. With the right preparation, UK travellers can continue to enjoy global adventures—even in a post-Brexit reality.

Feature Image by ThePixelman from Pixabay