Would I be mad to book a holiday in early April?

[Wittow]

I am looking at a week's skiing in the easter hols, would involve flying to Geneva around the 7/8 April. Would I be mad to even consider it or is the general consensus that we'd be OK to travel within Europe then?

By reading the Government No Deal info and by understanding how visas work for non-EEA nationals.

A visa?
not quite the problem that you are making out then is it?

of course you can book your holiday op.

I don't know how anyone can be confident in the government sorting anything out. After 2.5 years May has managed to come back with an agreement which no one in the UK seems to want. How long will we need to wait before they sort out aviation?

Have the rules been put in place yet as to how to get a visa? Even if it's relatively straightforward, at the moment we can just get on a ferry in Dover and be in Calais 75 minutes later. Now we will have to think beforehand to get more paperwork in order. It can be done, but it's more hassle.

Little can I ask what you understand of the EASA and the current regulation of aviation for the UK? Will a UK registered passenger plane be authorised to fly from the UK to the EU and any other routes currently regulated and contractually agreed by the EASA after 29 March 2019 if the UK has left the EU with no withdrawal agreement in place?

The EASA website is written in English and explains the current avaiation regulation system for EU member states.

There are two topics here: one regarding long stays of 90 days+ (will need visa) and short holidays. It could be (and hopefully won't come to that) that planes won't be allowed to fly because there would be no legal framework which allows them to fly. Very simple. Very shit too. TM for all her faults is trying very hard to avoid this- and food, meds etc shortages.
This whole thing is simply about keeping the country afloat!

One simple way to avoid all those questions and tsunami of crap is to remain and finally engage with the EU rather than constantly turning up our noses...

One simple way to avoid all those questions and tsunami of crap is to remain and finally engage with the EU rather than constantly turning up our noses...

Then engage properly. Most citizens of most countries want similar things, peace and prosperity so if we bothered we would find that we had a lot of common ground.

Reading through the draft document that was presented a couple of days ago (580 pages or whatever) will probably say that travel arrangements are 'in hand' by both the EU and the UK and that once the document is signed off things will be at least fairly smooth. I don't have time to read it all. Thus if it is approved soon I would expect lawyers to be getting the necessary agreements sorted.
Although it is reported that no one likes this document, the EU have rightly said 'this is the deal, take it or leave it'.
The EU has now said there will be no significant amendments, that is it.

A visa?
not quite the problem that you are making out then is it?

I take it you’ve not had to apply for a visa before?

It can be a shit load of hassle. Like having to book interviews at embassies and consulates. And how a minor query can hold you up for weeks.

And then there will be those that don’t know anything about it until they are denied boarding.

Visas also cost. Not only for the visa but having to travel to say London or some other Consulate, or paying a firm specialising in visa applications to do it for you. I went to India more than ten years ago for a holiday, and paid £50 then, to one of the visa specialist firms. It was worth my while not taking a day or two off work and travelling to London.

a visa to turkey for example is a piece of piss,
easy peasy

you are such pessimists!

are you like this in all areas of life?

Not all visas are a hassle. I'd imagine they'll go with a visa waiver type effect like for the us and many other countries. Either online a day or two before, or fill a form in on the plane. But as yet no one one any side really knows.

No. We are merely identifying what will change, based on the current law, if the UK leaves with no deal, for the OP asking how that will affect a holiday booking for next April.

How are you getting on with the Regulation of UK aviation Little? Under what contract and international laws will UK planes fly if the UK leaves the EU and no withdrawal agreement is adopted?

me?
i wasnt intending to fly

It’s not a case of being pessimistic, it’s a case of knowing how the system currently works for third country nationals.

A non-EEA Schengen visa for trips >90 days takes at least 2 weeks to come through, requires documentary evidence of being self supporting and involves booking an interview at the embassy or consulate on arrival. You might need a work permit if you’re planning on doing paid work.

It is completely different to getting a tourist visa for Turkey.

And the ESTA is only applicable for trips of less than 90 days. For longer trips you need a B1/B2 visa and good evidence that you won’t be trying to overstay or work.

A long while back but you had to have return tickets and possibly show you had sufficient money to support your stay when travelling to Australia.

i wasnt intending to fly

Eurostar won’t be running in the event of No Deal, and if you’re planning to take a car via ferry (which would also be subject to disruption) you’d need an international driving permit. Which aren’t available yet.

Little the OP asked about flying. You have said you are planning to go to Europe. Unless you are swimming, see also the legal and international laws that apply now to travel by sea or by rail to the EU and what will be the law in place on 30 March 2019 if there is no withdrawal agreement in place between the UK and EU.

Any travel has an element of risk, but best to know what those risks are when deciding how/when etc. Oh, and in this particular situation the matter of what will any insurance cover - also not at all clear.

'legal' = contract

I do find the arrogance of Brits about visas and travel rights quite extraordinary.
The UK is currently covered by dozens of deals dating back decades that allow UK citizens first class rights.
All of those deals vanish if the one with the EU is not finalised by 11pm on March 29th

Anybody who thinks that a NO DEALS AT ALL Brexit will run smoothly is in for a shock.

Best option would be to rescind A50 and remain
Next best is a Customs Union deal with a transition long enough to allow a later rejoin
Worst by a mile is no deal

In the event of no deal, there will be no EHIC cards any more. Travel insurance will become more expensive and this will negatively affect holiday makers who e.g. need dialysis as this is currently covered. Pet passports will be rescinded and replaced by a more complicated scheme. And you won't be able to take certain food stuffs in to Europe in your car - meat, cheese, dairy products etc. I can recall when we had the foot and mouth epidemic many years back, we were going on a coach tour and had to bin all the packed lunch we had prepared. Happy days.

My DH thought he read that there would be no EHIC with TM's proposed deal either.

EHIC will carry on during TRansition
as will the single market
and erasmus

We've booked our son into ski school in France w/c 6th August. Planning to drive down, so will book flexiplus on Eurotunnel, and leave booking accommodation as late as possible so that we can see what the situation is at the time.

Thinking the French will want our money, but if not, we can give it a miss.

By Christmastime the real direction of Brexit ought to be pretty clear so holidays from July onwards should be fine. Keep your eyes peeled for possible requirements for Visas and international licences which could be a bit hectic to get in time but no one knows what the actual situation is yet. The Tech papers talk about 'No deal' plans but we are not at no deal stage yet.