Dover To Dunkirk Ferry Booked For April 12 2019.does Anybody Know What Problems Could Arise?

[Playbill]

The question is largely rhetorical, as I do not think anyone knows answer. But the facts are genuine. We booked this ferry crossing - plus 4 hotels - two months ago. My wife is attending a conference in the Netherlands and has also paid a not inconsiderable fee for this.

We can possibly cancel the hotel bookings, but not the ferry or the conference without losing the money.

Apart from the unknowns about what is going to happen after March 29, there is now announced there will be a permit requirement to travel to EU countries after leaving the EU. Will this be from April 1 (perfect day for any chaos to start) or after the transition period?

[jim360]

We don't know the answers to any of these questions yet. The EU has made clear, however, that the permit requirement will start at the end of any "implementation period" if the current agreement is passed, or on the day after Brexit day, ie 30th March, if the UK leaves with no deal.

I think the most sensible thing to do is to assume that the trip will go ahead with no disruption. If in fact this isn't true, it wouldn't surprise me if you would be able to claim compensation in some form or other, so maybe make a point of keeping double copies of all the relevant paperwork if needs be.

[Jackdaw33]

Why the need for a permit? They weren't required before we joined the EEC so I don't see why now, unless it's sheer bloody-mindedness.

[jim360]

Same reason we need a permit to go to most countries, Jackdaw.

But this thread isn't the place to debate the merits or otherwise of such a decision.

[fiction-factory]

Maybe, Jackdaw, but that wasn't what Playbill was asking so doesn't help here.
I'd go with jim's answer but I would be very surprised indeed if the requirements were onerous as EU countries and travel companies will still want us to visit as tourists and don't want tit for tat redtape to stop them coming her

[237SJ]

Says here that it's a few years awayhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46564884

[237SJ]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46564884

[New Judge]

"...does Anybody Know What Problems Could Arise?"

There is no way the UK will leave without a "deal". Either a deal suitable to the EU will be cobbled together or our departure will be delayed or abandoned.

[Playbill]

Thanks for clearing up the permit question, jim. Without any idea about how the rest of it will be, sticking to our schedule for now is what we have decided.

We also wondered about compensation if unable to reach our hotel in due time (or at all) due to disruption at Dover - or even Dunkirk. But who would we claim from? I believe travel insurance companies have already stated that they would not be covering this eventuality.

We had originally considered flying and hiring a car. But the prospect of being stuck at an airport with thousands of others due to the same confusion, seemed less appealing than sitting in our car.

jackdaw: you may well be right about the bloody-mindedness. It is only going to be seven euros. So as long as the process of getting it is quick and simple, small (French) cheese compared with the rest of our dilemmas.

[Playbill]

Thank you for the link 237SJ, that makes more abit more sense of it.

New Judge, hope you are right!

[237SJ]

It's not coming in until 2021 and there will be no change until then.

[Jackdaw33]

The permit is not due to be introduced till 2021, so no panic on that score.

[jim360]

Indeed not, although -- as I say -- this would change if the UK leaves without a deal.

[237SJ]

The permit to travel is not just for the UK - it applies to other countries as well so a deal or no deal won't make any difference.

[237SJ]

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/etias/