To be out of the UK on 31 October...

[bellainthemiddle]

I'm currently on mat leave, but going back to work at the start of October after 4 months off (yes, I know this is weirdly early, but there are reasons and I got offered a good incentive!).

I've just been asked to do a 5-day trip to Brussels, returning on 1 November. And I am worried! I'm an EU national and I just have this bizarre paranoia about the Home Secretary changing the rules again, or civil unrest breaking out and the borders being closed. Basically, I'm worried that for some reason, I might not be able to get back.

Please, tell me that I'm definitely being unreasonable, paranoid and overdramatic!

I wouldn’t worry about civil unrest, but I think they could be huge hold ups trying to get back in.

Yeah, I would expect that too, tbh!

We are flying in to Heathrow from the USA on 31st and I wondered the same.

I’m flying back from France in the 1st November. Trying not to worry really. Just hoping that by some miracle brexit won’t happen!

I would be wary too

I think you will be fine, assuming you are using Eurostar or you know that your flight was operating in 2018. It will be fine trying to get in, as far as it ever is ok at border control, but I've flown into Heathrow a few times and it has been surprisingly fine especially if you can use the e-gates, which EU citizens can (and they won't suddenly stop that, in fact they were talking about extending their use to US/Canada/Australia etc).

I'd expect more queues to get out if a no deal Brexit has actually happened. After all who in their right mind would be trying to get IN?

I’m flying back from the USA on 1st Nov and not stressing. They’re hardly going to prevent us from returning?

It's not that anyone is going to want to stop you returning, it's that if we leave with no deal we have no agrements to fly over other countries airspace. Those agrements would take time to put back in to place.

Do you have settled status or some sort of proof that you're resident in the UK, rather than a tourist?

Yes, I do have SS and I've been here since I was 8, so I ought to have no trouble proving that I'm a permanent resident!

Just being a bit paranoid, really. But I don't think I'll totally relax on that trip until I'm off the Eurostar at St Pancras!!

Leaving 4 month old would worry me more (but that's just me and totally understand it's not everyone)

It does worry me, but because of the nature of my work it is really hard not to agree to the request (I had originally planned to come back in January 2020). My OH has a lot of accumulated holiday and is going to stay home with DD, so I know she will be ok.

I'd be more worried about leaving my small baby for 5 days. Esp if you're planning to breastfeed.

Well, I'm due to go on hols (although not in the EU or Europe) in mid-Nov and am wondering if there'll be disruptions to travel at best and, as you say, civil unrest and closed borders at worst.

Don't want to give up my holiday though!

Oh fgs stop sanctimoniously criticising the OP for leaving the baby with her father!

I'd like to think that common sense will prevail as far as resident EU nationals go, but with Cummings in charge I feel anything could happen. Is there a way of changing the dates so you are back by 30th October?

And yes, newsflash, fathers are parents too!

I’d take some thing with me just in case op
A copy of your settled status or whatever you have that ‘proves’ you live here

I would not be at all surprised if there is chaos for a few days at immigration/passport control After all If the border staff aren’t sure what’s happening and some of them are told different things in different places
It could get ... interesting

Thank you for the practical advice :) And yeah, I was planning to take an array of documents as evidence in case of problems!

I don't think I'm being a bad parent by leaving DD with her father (I hope not, at least!). He is wonderful with her. But it is the main reason why I'm worrying about getting stuck.

And yeah, I just don't have faith / trust / confidence in Priti Patel, Dom Cummings et al :(

I would be worried about getting stuck away from the baby. I would take my chances otherwise but you really don't want to risk it in those circumstances. Yes the baby will be fine with dad but that's not the point, you'll miss him/her.

Sorry - her!

Q changes I expect:

(Much Worst) Any goods exiting UK to EU.
(Mediocre bad and worse than now) people exiting UK to EU, unless to RoI.
(Bit worse than now) UK people or goods entering RoI.
(Same as now) goods & people leaving UK to non-EU places.
(Better) UK citizens re-entering UK (not sharing immigration Qs with as many people).

Arghh, not sure what's the best option! On one hand, I know it will probably be absolutely fine. On the other, I know there is a slight risk and is it worth it?!