travelling to europe from uk

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System for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay in 29 European countries (starting in the second half of 2024)

Travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers to enter 30 European countries (starting in the first half of 2025)

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Everything you need to know about travel to Europe after Brexit

Do you need a visa to travel to the EU after Brexit? Here’s how the rules are looking in 2024

Way back in 2020, the UK left the EU and Brexit took effect. Since then, a hell of a lot has changed about how we travel. There’s now plenty of extra stuff to think about when planning a trip overseas to Europe (especially if it’s for longer periods). So, we ’ve rounded up all the changes to the rules that we’ll have to follow, now that we’re no longer EU citizens. Here is everything you need to know.

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You should probably check your passport

Up until January 2021, all UK citizens with a valid passport were able to travel freely throughout Europe. Now, though, you may need to renew your passport much earlier than you might think. On the day you travel, your passport must have at least six months left before it expires, or you might not be able to travel to any EU countries, or the EEA states of Iceland , Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland . (The old rules still apply for travel to Ireland.)

You can check if you need to renew your passport before travelling using this tool from the British government, and you can apply for a new one here . Make sure you renew it at least a couple of months before you’re planning to travel, as it may take several weeks to process applications in busy times (including right now).

You can no longer apply for an EHIC

Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will remain valid until its expiry date, but you can no longer apply for a new one. In 2021, the UK government launched a replacement scheme, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) , which will entitle you to necessary state healthcare for free or at reduced cost in Europe and other countries with reciprocal arrangements such as Australia and New Zealand . You can apply for one on the official GHIC website .

Free mobile roaming is a thing of the past

The guarantee of free mobile roaming throughout the EU, the Schengen area and the Norway, Iceland and Liechenstein, came to an end on December 31, 2020. It ’s best to c heck with your phone operator to find out about any charges you may incur in the country you’re travelling to.

Border checks may feel a little different

At border control, you will now need to use separate lanes from EU citizens when queuing. Officials may also be more inquisitive than before, asking you to provide a return or onward ticket and prove that you have enough money for the length of your initial stay.

Your driving licence will still be valid – but you’ll need a ‘green card’ proving you have insurance too

Despite reports British drivers would soon have to apply for an ‘international driving permit’ before travelling to the Continent, according to the terms of the Brexit deal, UK licences will still be valid within the EU.

According to this advice by the Foreign Office , you do not need a ‘green card’ (proving you have car insurance cover when driving abroad) when driving in the EU. However, countries where they do apply include Albania, Azerbijan, Moldova, Türkiye and Ukraine. 

Travelling in the EU

Your rights & eu rules.

As an EU national, you enjoy the right of free movement. This means you’re entitled to travel, work and live in another EU country. If you’re a citizen of a Schengen country  – which is most EU countries – you’re also free to travel to other Schengen countries without the need for border checks.

As an EU national, you can also benefit from EU-wide passenger rights for travel into, out of or within the EU by air, rail, bus/coach or ship. You can travel with pets and other animals in the EU provided you comply with the rules (pet passports). There are EU limits on taking alcohol, tobacco or cash with you to another EU country. Each EU country can set its own limits or restrictions, so check before you go.

Travelling to or within the EU? Follow the links below to check which documents you need to take.

Documents you need to travel in the EU

Information on travel documents needed by EU nationals, non-EU national family members, non-EU nationals and children when entering the EU or travelling across it. Find out what to do if you lose your passport or it expires when travelling in the EU.

Public Register of Authentic travel and identity Documents Online (PRADO)

View authorised travel and identity documents issued by EU countries and Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

Schengen – ID-free travel zone

What is it.

The Schengen area is a travel zone without borders between the 29 Schengen countries. It allows EU nationals and many non-EU nationals to travel freely without border checks. Since 1985, it’s kept growing, and now covers almost all EU countries and a few non-EU countries (Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland). It guarantees free movement to more than 400 million EU nationals.

Any person, irrespective of nationality, can travel between Schengen countries without going through border checks. However, national authorities can carry out police checks at borders between these countries and in border areas.

Having abolished their internal borders, Schengen countries have also tightened controls at their common external borders on the basis of Schengen rules to ensure the security of those living or travelling in the Schengen area.

See all the Schengen countries

Common visa policy

The common visa policy enables non-EU visitors to make transit or short stays to the Schengen area. A short-stay visa issued by one of the Schengen countries generally entitles them to travel through all Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

In practice, this means that if you’re cleared to enter one Schengen country, you can travel to any of the other Schengen countries without having to show your travel document again.

Follow the links below for more information about your rights when travelling in the EU.

What can you take with you?

Information on what you can take with you when travelling in the EU, including pets, food, alcohol, tobacco and cash. Find out the luggage restrictions when flying from an airport in the EU and which EU countries use the euro.

Air passenger rights

Information on where and when EU air passenger rights apply and how to make a complaint. Find out who to contact if you need help or advice with your claim.

Assistance for travellers with disabilities or reduced mobility

Information on your rights if you’re travelling in the EU with a disability or reduced mobility. See if you’re entitled to an EU disabled parking permit.

Further information

Using the euro

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Travelling to Europe following Brexit

As the UK is no longer part of the European Union, travel to Europe is a little different, so it is important to check you have everything in place in time for your trip.

Travel to Europe is a little different now that we are no longer a Member of the European Union (EU), so it's important you plan early to make sure you have everything in place in time for your trip.

As well as reading through our guidance on the main changes below, it’s important to check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice for the destination you are visiting for country specific advice.

If you’re visiting Ireland, plus Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, it’s worth noting that they are part of the Common Travel Area , which is a long-standing agreement that pre-dates EU membership. This means that the new passport rules and visa requirements outlined below don’t apply and some of the other changes may differ slightly. Do make sure you check the FCDO travel advice for Ireland for more detail.

What you need to know about travelling to the EU   

Passport rules.

If you have a British passport, it must be:

• Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (so check the ‘date of issue’)
• Valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave (so check the ‘date of expiry’).

You can find the passport validity rules for the country you’re visiting by checking the FCDO’s advice and reading the entry requirements section. More information is available on ABTA’s passports page. 

To help process travellers quickly and efficiently, manual passport stamping is expected to become fully automated through the new Entry/Exit System (EES) which is due to be introduced in late 2024.

Visas and ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)

If you’re a British passport holder and going on holiday or travelling for business, you can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without needing to get a visa. If you’re planning to stay for longer than 90 days in a 180-day period, you will need to check the FCDO travel advice to find the visa requirements for the country you’re visiting. If you’re a frequent traveller to the EU, you might find this calculator a helpful way to keep track of your visits.

In 2025, the EU is aiming to bring in a new travel authorisation (a visa waiver system) called ETIAS, which will be similar to the ESTA for travel to the US and be valid for three years. Once introduced, British passport holders travelling to the EU will need to apply and pay for an ETIAS via the official ETIAS website . The website is not accepting applications just yet. Find answers to the most commonly asked questions here .

Once ETIAS is live, certain travellers may be exempt. You can find the list of exemptions here . If you are married to an EU citizen and are travelling with your spouse to or within the Schengen Area, you may find you’re exempt from the 90/180-day rule for any period where you travel together. You should check with the country you are visiting before travel to confirm the paperwork that would be required. More information is available here .

Health insurance cards

If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid up to its expiry date (cards are valid for five years when issued). If your EHIC has expired, or you don’t have one, you can apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which is accepted in all 27 EU countries, as well as Switzerland, Montenegro, the Channel Islands and Australia. More details here . As usual, you’ll also need to take out comprehensive travel insurance with sufficient healthcare cover, including cover for existing medical conditions and any activities you plan to do. ABTA has advice on finding the right travel insurance .  

Using your mobile phone abroad

Rules around mobile data roaming have changed meaning you may face charges when using your phone in the EU, including for making calls, sending messages or using the internet. Check with your mobile phone provider for details.  

Driving in the EU

The exact requirements for driving in the EU will vary slightly from country to country, so do make sure you check the FCDO travel advice for the destination(s) you’ll be driving through for country specific advice. General rules to be aware of include:

UK car stickers – you will need a UK car sticker for your own car when driving in the EU. UK Blue Badges can be used in some EU countries, plus Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Parking concessions vary in each country so it is important you check the details for your destination. More information can be found here. Using a Blue Badge in the European Union - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Driving permits – if you have a paper licence or your driving licence was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man you may need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some EU countries and Norway. These are available from the Post Office. If you have a card driving license, you do not require an IDP to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.  

Taking your pet abroad

Your pet passport will no longer be valid to travel to the EU or Northern Ireland and you will now need an Animal Health Certificate. Your pet will also need to be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and dogs will need tapeworm treatment for travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta. If you wish to take your pet abroad you should speak to your vet at least one month in advance to make sure you have these in place before you are due to travel.  Full details can be found at gov.uk .  

Border control 

When going through passport control, you may not be able to use the EU or EEA passport lanes and may need to join the lane for ‘third country' or ‘non-EU’ visitors instead. Your passport will be stamped by the border officer on entry and exit to make sure you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays. Some EU countries are currently rolling out an e-gate system to replace some of the manual passport checks.  You may also need to show a return ticket and that you have enough money for your stay.   

Items you can take in and out of the EU

You can’t take any meat, milk or any products containing these items into the EU. There are exceptions for powdered baby milk, baby food, or pet food required for medical reasons. When returning from the EU to the UK, you can bring in a certain amount of goods without paying tax or duty. More details on this can be found at Gov.uk .   

Business travel requirements

There are a few extra requirements for business travellers visiting the countries in the EU as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. If you’re travelling on business, for less than 90 days in a 180-day period such as attending a business meeting, you’ll be able to travel without a visa or work permit. If you’re planning to stay for more than 180 days, you’ll need to check the entry requirements and rules for the country you’re visiting to find out if you need a visa or work permit.  If you’re travelling with goods to the EU, you’ll need to ensure you’ve got the right documentation to take them with you and if you intend to sell the goods abroad, you’ll need to make a customs declaration. You will also need to make a declaration if you take £10,000 or more in cash with you. Other extra requirements to check are whether your professional qualifications will be recognised in the EU, what to do if you’re earning money in the EU and providing indemnity insurance for employees. For further information, visit here . The UK Government also has advice for people travelling to the EU .

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Travelling in Europe

This advice applies to England. See advice for See advice for Northern Ireland , See advice for Scotland , See advice for Wales

If you’re planning to travel in the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein you should:

check the latest travel advice on GOV.UK - there might be extra rules because of coronavirus

check your passport is valid for the dates you’re travelling

get travel insurance

find out if you’ll be charged more to use your mobile phone

check you’ve got everything you have to take if you’ll be driving, for example a UK sticker for your car

check you’ve got the right documents if you’re taking your pet

Check your passport is valid for the dates you’re travelling

You’ll need to renew your passport if either:

there’s less than 3 months left on your passport at any time while you’re travelling - check your passport to find out when it expires

your passport is 10 years old or more on the day you enter the EU country - count this from the date your passport was issued

You can check if your passport will be valid for your trip on GOV.UK . You’ll need to search for the country you’re going to and click on ‘entry requirements’.

Apply for your passport as early as you can - it can take several weeks to process in busy times. If you need to renew a passport urgently, you can book an appointment for the 1 week Fast Track service on GOV.UK .

Get travel insurance

If you're a UK resident and have an existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you can still use it to get state provided healthcare in EU countries until it expires. You can also use an existing EHIC in Switzerland if you’re a UK national, Swiss national or EU citizen.

You can’t use an existing EHIC in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein - you’ll need to get a new one instead.

You might be able to apply for a new EHIC if before 1 January 2021 you started being one of the following:

an EU citizen living in in the UK

a Norwegian, Icelandic, Liechtenstein or Swiss national living in the UK

a UK student studying in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland

a UK state pensioner living in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland

You might also be able to apply for an EHIC if you're a family member or dependant of someone who’s eligible.

You can apply for a new EHIC for free on the NHS website - you can apply up to 6 months before your existing EHIC expires. You should be careful if you see other websites offering EHICs, they’ll usually try to charge you.

You might be able to apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead if:

you don’t have an EHIC

your EHIC has expired

you’re not eligible for an EHIC

You might also be able to apply for a GHIC if you're a family member or dependant of someone who’s eligible.

You can use a GHIC to get ‘medically necessary’ healthcare in EU countries at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Medically necessary healthcare means any treatment that can’t wait until you get back to the UK. You can also use it in Switzerland if you’re a UK national, Swiss national or EU citizen. If you’re travelling to Norway, you can use your UK passport for medically necessary healthcare.

You can apply for a GHIC for free on the NHS website .

You should still get travel insurance before your trip - even if you have an EHIC or GHIC. An EHIC or GHIC won’t cover the cost of travel back to your own country if you’re ill - this is known as ‘repatriation’. Repatriation can be very expensive.

If you have an existing illness or health issue

Most travel insurance won’t cover you for any illnesses or health issues you already have. If they do, you'll usually have to pay more money.

It’s important to tell your insurer if you have any existing health issues before buying insurance. If they can’t cover you, they should recommend a specialist insurance company that can.

If you have an EHIC or GHIC, it might allow you to get routine medical care for existing illnesses or health issues. You should check with the healthcare provider in the country you’re travelling to first. Some treatments might need to be arranged before you travel.

Find out if you’ll be charged more to use your mobile phone

You might have to pay more to use your mobile phone in the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

Before you go, ask your mobile phone service provider what the charges will be for using your mobile phone abroad.  

Make sure you understand how to turn off mobile roaming on your phone if you’re worried about extra charges. This is usually in the phone’s ‘settings’ menu under ‘mobile roaming’.

If you want to use data abroad, check with your mobile provider to see if you have a data bundle that can be used abroad. If you don’t have a bundle or you’ve used it up, you’ll be charged for data.

You can ask your mobile provider if there’s a limit to how much data you can use abroad. If there’s no limit, you can tell them to set a limit on how much you want to spend.

Your mobile provider will tell you when you’re about to reach the agreed limit.

If you’re driving abroad

If you’re planning to drive in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, you'll need to take:

your driving licence and vehicle log book – you should check they’re up to date first

a UK sticker for your vehicle

a hired vehicle certificate – if you’re hiring or leasing your vehicle

an emissions sticker if you’re going to a European city that needs one - you might need to apply a few months before you travel

You might also have to take other things like a reflective jacket or a warning triangle sticker – it depends where you’re going. Check what else you need to take if you’re driving abroad on the AA’s website.

Check your driving licence and vehicle log book are up to date

You’ll need to take your driving licence with you. If it’s about to run out, you’ll need to renew it at least a week before you travel. You can check if your driving licence is still valid and order a new one on GOV.UK.

You’ll also need to take your vehicle log book (V5C) with you. If you don’t have one, you can order a replacement log book  from DVLA. Ask for it at least 6 weeks before you go. You’ll have to pay a fee.

Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP)

You might need to get an IDP to drive in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland if you have a paper driving licence. You don’t need one if you have a UK photo driving licence. You might need more than one IDP if you’re driving in more than one country.

You can check if you’ll need an IDP  for the countries where you’ll be driving on GOV.UK.

You can get an IDP at the Post Office. You’ll need:

a full valid UK driving licence - photocard or paper

a passport-sized photograph

£5.50 application fee - for each IDP

your passport if you’re taking a paper driving licence

You must be 18 or over to get an IDP.

Get a UK sticker

You’ll need either:

a number plate that includes the UK symbol

a UK sticker on the back of your vehicle - you can buy this

You must use a UK sticker if you’re going to Spain, Cyprus or Malta - even if your number plate includes the UK symbol.

Check your insurance

You’ll need the right insurance to drive abroad. Check with your insurance company that your policy covers you and how long you can drive outside the UK. You might need to pay extra to drive abroad.

Check if you need a hired vehicle certificate

If you’re taking a hired or leased vehicle abroad you’ll need to take a VE103 vehicle on hire certificate with you to show you’re allowed to drive it. 

You can get a VE103 from your rental or lease company. You can also find other organisations where you can get a VE103 on GOV.UK . You might have to pay a fee for a VE103.

If you’re hiring a car abroad

You might have to share your online licence information when you pick up the car - this is information that isn’t on your photo licence. You can get a ‘check code’ to share your driving information with someone on GOV.UK . The code is valid for 21 days.

Insurance is usually included when you hire a car, but you should check it’s enough for your needs. You can sometimes pay more for extra cover.

Travelling with your pet

If you have a UK pet passport it won’t be valid anymore. 

Your pet or assistance animal will need:

a microchip

a rabies vaccination

an animal health certificate - unless you have a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland

tapeworm treatment for dogs - if the country you’re going to requires it

Talk to your vet at least 10 days before you plan to travel for advice on what you need to do and how much it'll cost. Prices can vary between vets so it's a good idea to contact other vets to compare costs. You can also check what to do when taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad on GOV.UK .

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Page last reviewed on 01 January 2021

Visiting Europe from January 2024: A guide for British travellers

European countries like Spain, Italy, and France are ever-popular destinations for British holidaymakers.

The rules for travelling between the UK and Europe have changed in the past few years and it is important to keep this in mind.

Since Brexit, Brits no longer enjoy freedom of movement in the EU. This means that things have changed for UK passport holders visiting Europe as a tourist and for EU citizens visiting the UK .

This article looks at the rules UK travellers need to follow to visit European countries. It covers the following information:

• Whether British citizens will need visas before travelling to a European destination
• What British travellers should do to ensure their passport is valid
• What will change when arriving in Europe
• How UK visitors’ travel insurance requirements will change
• What mobile phone roaming charges could apply
• How pets will be able to travel with their owners to Europe

Do British tourists need a visa to visit Europe?

British tourists can still visit Europe without a visa. UK citizens are permitted visa exemption for short trips of under 90 days for tourism or business within the Schengen zone.

However, in the near future, UK passport holders will need to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver online and pay a small fee before travelling to the Schengen Area.

The UK Government is aiming to introduce a similar scheme for European visitors to Britain. The UK ETA visa waiver is now available to visitors from certain countries. It is expected to be made compulsory for all EU nationals.

For longer stays or to work full-time in Europe, British citizens must acquire a work permit or Schengen visa from the country they wish to live in. They need to apply at the embassy of the country in question.

Are British passports be valid on a trip to Europe in 2024?

Yes, you can still use a British passport to travel to European countries.

When travelling to the EU, you must make sure your passport meets the following requirements :

• Valid for 6+ months after the date of arrival in the EU
• Issued less than 10 years ago

Before travelling to the European Union or Schengen Area, British travellers may find new passport restrictions apply . These are minor in nature but could affect a person’s ability to enter an EU country.

First of all, UK visitors to Europe must make sure their passport has over 6 months of validity remaining from their date of entry into the EU. In practice, this means that no more than 9 years and 6 months must have passed since the passport’s date of issue.

Under European regulations, a passport must not be over 10 years old . Any travel documents older than this will automatically be considered invalid, even if it is still within its expiry date.

This situation could occur because the British passport office usually adds extra time to the validity of a passport if it is renewed early. These extra days of validity, however, would not be accepted in the EU, where the cut-off is 10 years from the date of issue .

If this situation applies to you, you may need to renew your passport earlier than expected before a European holiday. This must be done before 9 years and 6 months have passed since the document’s date of issue to travel to an EU country.

For example, if a passport was issued on the 1st December 2011, it will no longer be accepted at an EU or Schengen port of entry from 1st June 2021. This rule is applied even if the document hasn’t expired or has over 6 months left to run.

What new procedures do British tourists face when arriving in Europe?

One change that British tourists face when arriving in a European destination is that they may no longer be able to use the dedicated queue for EU and Swiss passengers . Instead, they will need to join the international queue.

Additionally, UK tourists may be required to provide evidence that they are only travelling to the EU for tourism or business. This may include return tickets to the UK and proof of sufficient funds for the duration of their trip.

Will British tourists need travel insurance in the EU?

A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can be used until it expires . The EHIC entitles the holder to state medical treatment in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

After the card expires, the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) will replace it. UK travellers are still advised to take out health insurance.

Will British tourists have to pay mobile phone roaming charges?

Mobile phone roaming charges have made a return for some British tourists . The requirement that operators must waive roaming costs no longer apply to UK mobile networks.

However, the reintroduction of extra mobile charges when travelling abroad in Europe are at the discretion of mobile network operators . Therefore, tourists are advised to check before arriving in the EU whether these additional costs apply to them or not.

Are UK Driving licences still valid in Europe?

It will still be possible to use a UK driving licence in Europe, as long as your licence is a card issued in the UK itself.

You will need an international driving permit (IDP) if your licence is:

• A paper driving licence
• From Gibraltar, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands

Additionally, UK citizens driving their car from Britain to Europe may also need to follow additional steps . When travelling to the EU by car, UK passport holders should ensure to have proof of insurance and to display a “GB” nationality sticker on their vehicle.

Coronavirus related restrictions for travel into the EU

Webpages in this section are no longer being updated. The content may be out-of-date and should be consulted for past reference only.

Following the adoption of Council Recommendation (EU) 2022/2548 of 13 December 2022, no restrictions should be imposed on travels into the EU from another country. 

What if the epidemiological situation worsens?

In case of severe worsening of the epidemiological situation in EU or non-EU countries, Member States should decide in a coordinated manner to reintroduce appropriate requirements for travellers prior to their departure.  

What happens if a new variant is detected?

An urgent, temporary restriction on all travel into the EU from a third country or region can be adopted by Member States

where a variant of concern or interest is detected 

if the epidemiological situation in that country has rapidly deteriorated 

This emergency brake applies to non-EU nationals who have stayed in that non-EU country or region at any time during the 14 days before departure towards the EU. 

Such a restriction should expire after 21 days unless Member States decide to shorten it or extend it for an additional period. If the emergency brake is triggered, EU countries should discuss possible coordinated measures in the Council, in cooperation with the European Commission. 

Restrictions on travel to the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic

As a first response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the EU, a coordinated temporary restriction of non-essential travel to the EU applied from 17 March 2020 until 30 June 2020. In June 2020, following a proposal from the Commission, the Council adopted a recommendation on temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU and the possible lifting of such restrictions. This recommendation was updated several times and eventually replaced in December 2022 by Council Recommendation (EU) 2022/Council Recommendation (EU) 2022/2548 .  

During the period where travel restrictions to the EU were in place, some exemptions were put in place to ensure free movement of citizens, goods and services – with full respect of health and safety measures. 

The following categories of people were exempt from the temporary travel restriction to the EU+ area from third countries

• EU citizens and nationals of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as their respective family members 
• third-country nationals who are long-term residents under the Long-term Residence Directive, or deriving their right to reside from other EU Directives or national law, or who hold national long-term visas, as well as their respective family members 

The temporary travel restrictions did also not apply to people with an essential function or need, including 

• healthcare professionals, health researchers, and elderly care professionals
• frontier workers 
• seasonal workers in agriculture 
• transport personnel 
• diplomats, staff of international organisations and people invited by international organisations whose physical presence is required for the well-functioning of these organisations, military personnel and humanitarian aid workers and civil protection personnel in the exercise of their functions 
• passengers in transit 
• passengers travelling for imperative family reasons 
• seafarers 
• persons in need of international protection or for other humanitarian reasons 
• third-country nationals travelling for the purpose of study 
• highly qualified third-country workers if their employment is necessary from an economic perspective and the work cannot be postponed or performed abroad.

Disclaimer. The page was last updated in September 2023

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What are the new EU travel rules and how will they impact Brits?

A staggering number of British holidaymakers are unaware of changes happening this year to the way we travel to EU countries.

Nearly two thirds said they of people questioned said they didn’t know about the introduction of fingerprints and facial scans when crossing borders.

The Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) will come in tandem with us needing to buy a visa waiver to visit EU and Schengen countries.

Here, we break down what the new border control system is and what to expect when going on holiday in Europe.

What is EES and how is it different to ETIAS?

EES is an automated system to register travellers from non-EU countries every time they cross a border into or out of the EU. 

The system will register the person’s name, the type of travelling document they’re using, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images), and the date and place of entry and exit. 

Once the data has been captured, it’s expected to remain in the system for three years. After this time has passed, it will be erased from the system.

Travellers won’t need to re-register this data if they travel to multiple Schengen Zone countries within the three-year period.

The EU says on its website that ‘the main advantage of the EES is saving time,’ because it replaces passport stamping and ‘automates border control procedures’ to make travelling more efficient.

It remains to be seen how the system will impact travel, but in the poll by Co-op insurance, 46% of British travellers said they felt put off by the process of storing this type of data for three years.

The EES scheme is different to the European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS), which will run alongside the former and require British travellers to apply for a visa waiver to visit most EU countries.

The expected fee of the visa waiver is €7 (£6) to visit any country in the Schengen Area .

Will UK citizens need to use EES?

Yes. As a result of the UK voting to leave the European Union, Brits will have to follow the same rules as other countries outside of the EU.

You will have to scan your passport at an automated self-service kiosk before crossing the border.

This process will sadly replace the manual stamping of passports for visitors to countries in the EU and Schengen Area, who are not themselves nationals of EU or Schengen countries. 

EES will apply when entering the 25 EU countries and four non-EU countries below:

The countries where EES will apply

• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland

EES will also operate at the Port of Dover, Eurostar and Eurotunnel terminals.

Schengen rules restrict visitors who are not nationals of EU or Schengen countries to short stays of 90 days within a 180-day period. EES will make sure people follow this rule and will record those who overstay while EES data will be used to record refusals of entry.

What date will the new EES and ETIAS rules start?

The exact date for both changes is still to be confirmed.

The introduction of EES has already been delayed several times; it was originally meant to be implemented in 2022, and was then scheduled for May 2023 before it was pushed back to the end of last year.

It’s now slated to come into effect from October 2024 after France requested that it be pushed back until after the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris this summer. 

ETIAS, which was slated to be implemented later this year, is now set to begin in mid-2025.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

What are the new EU travel rules and how will they impact Brits?

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A staggering number of British holidaymakers are unaware of changes happening this year to the way we travel to EU countries.

Nearly two thirds said they of people questioned said they didn’t know about the introduction of fingerprints and facial scans when crossing borders.

The Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) will come in tandem with us needing to buy a visa waiver to visit EU and Schengen countries.

Here, we break down what the new border control system is and what to expect when going on holiday in Europe.

What is EES and how is it different to ETIAS?

EES is an automated system to register travellers from non-EU countries every time they cross a border into or out of the EU. 

The system will register the person’s name, the type of travelling document they’re using, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images), and the date and place of entry and exit. 

Once the data has been captured, it’s expected to remain in the system for three years. After this time has passed, it will be erased from the system.

Travellers won’t need to re-register this data if they travel to multiple Schengen Zone countries within the three-year period.

The EU says on its website that ‘the main advantage of the EES is saving time,’ because it replaces passport stamping and ‘automates border control procedures’ to make travelling more efficient.

It remains to be seen how the system will impact travel, but in the poll by Co-op insurance, 46% of British travellers said they felt put off by the process of storing this type of data for three years.

The EES scheme is different to the European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS), which will run alongside the former and require British travellers to apply for a visa waiver to visit most EU countries.

The expected fee of the visa waiver is €7 (£6) to visit any country in the Schengen Area .

Will UK citizens need to use EES?

Yes. As a result of the UK voting to leave the European Union, Brits will have to follow the same rules as other countries outside of the EU.

You will have to scan your passport at an automated self-service kiosk before crossing the border.

This process will sadly replace the manual stamping of passports for visitors to countries in the EU and Schengen Area, who are not themselves nationals of EU or Schengen countries. 

EES will apply when entering the 25 EU countries and four non-EU countries below:

The countries where EES will apply

• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland

EES will also operate at the Port of Dover, Eurostar and Eurotunnel terminals.

Schengen rules restrict visitors who are not nationals of EU or Schengen countries to short stays of 90 days within a 180-day period. EES will make sure people follow this rule and will record those who overstay while EES data will be used to record refusals of entry.

What date will the new EES and ETIAS rules start?

The exact date for both changes is still to be confirmed.

The introduction of EES has already been delayed several times; it was originally meant to be implemented in 2022, and was then scheduled for May 2023 before it was pushed back to the end of last year.

It’s now slated to come into effect from October 2024 after France requested that it be pushed back until after the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris this summer. 

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ETIAS, which was slated to be implemented later this year, is now set to begin in mid-2025.

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Visas and entry requirements in europe and the schengen area.

This page is for Australians travelling to Europe.

Read this page to learn about:

• the Schengen Area
• entry and exit to the Schengen Area
• other European countries with visa waivers
• non-Schengen European countries

The Australian Government doesn't issue visas for other countries. We can't provide final information on border rules. Ask your destination's high commission, embassy or consulate for details before you travel.

The Schengen Area

The Schengen Area is made up of 27 European countries with common border rules. It lets travellers move freely between member countries without

• going through border controls
• getting a visa for each country.

The members of the Schengen Area are:

• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• The Netherlands
• Switzerland

Bulgaria  and  Romania  partially joined the Schengen area on 31 March.  Border checks should have ceased for air or sea travel  between Bulgaria, Romania, and other Schengen Area countries. Checks are still undertaken for land-based travel. Stays in Bulgaria and Romania now count towards your total visa-free stay in the Schengen Area (see below).

Entry and exit in the Schengen Area

Australians can travel visa-free in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Your travel must be for:

• business purposes
• visiting friends and family
• tourism and holidays
• cultural and sports events
• official visit
• medical reasons
• short-term study

Apply at the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country where you'll stay the longest. If you're staying for the same length of time in each country, apply at the embassy of the country you'll visit first.

You'll need to apply for a visa if:

• you're planning to stay for more than 90 days
• your reason for travel changes, and you no longer qualify for visa-free travel.

You'll need to apply outside the country you want a visa for.

Calculating your 90/180 days

Calculating your visa-free days can be complicated. The European Commission provides a calculator to help you track your visa-free days .

• The 180 days isn't fixed in time. It's calculated backwards from today.
• Your 90 days are calculated from your first day in the Schengen Area within the 180 days.
• If you leave and return within 180 days, your last stay will count towards the 90-day maximum.
• If you use up your visa-free days, you must leave until you accumulate more or apply for a visa.
• You may be fined or banned from the Schengen Area if you overstay your 90 days.

Example You arrive in Spain on 18 March. You fly to the UK on 21 April and stay there until the 29th. On 30 April, you travel to Greece and stay until 23 June. Your trip was 97 days, but only 90 were in the Schengen Area. You can't re-enter the Area until at least 14 September, when the Spanish leg of your trip falls outside your 180 days. If you re-enter on 14 September, you can only stay another 35 days as your time in Greece still counts towards your current 90 days. If you re-enter on 22 September, you can stay another 90 days, as you haven't been in the Area in the past 180 days .

Entering and exiting the Schengen Area

You must show a valid passport when entering the Schengen Area.

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave.

Make sure you get a clear entry stamp in your passport when you enter the Schengen Area for the first time. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained.

Some countries need you to register within 3 days of arrival.

See our destination-specific travel advice for entry and exit details for each country. Check the European Commission for information on temporary border controls .

These visa rules only apply when travelling on your Australian passport . If you're a dual national travelling on your other passport, check the rules for that nationality.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is an electronic security system. It will do a security check before you can enter participating European countries . ETIAS is expected to start in mid-2025 if the new system is working.

You won't need an ETIAS for EU countries who aren't taking part in the program.

Other European countries with visa waivers

There are other European countries where you can travel visa-free. Travel to these countries does not count towards your 90 days for Schengen Area travel.

Countries can change their border rules at short notice. Before you travel, ask your destination's nearest embassy or consulate for the latest rules.

Visa waiver agreements with Australia

Australia has visa waiver agreements with several countries in the Schengen Area. These agreements may allow you to spend 60 to 90 days in the country for tourism.

Visa waiver agreement countries include:

Using visa waiver agreements with Schengen visa-free arrangements is complex. Each country operates the visa waiver in its own way.

Most countries need you to use the visa waiver at the end of your Schengen Area travel.

Visa-free tourism programs in non-Schengen countries

Some European countries outside the Schengen Area allow you to enter visa-free for tourism. Most let you stay up to 90 days. Some are for longer. See our country advisories for details on border rules.

• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• North Macedonia (Republic of North Macedonia)
• United Kingdom

Non-Schengen European countries

Many European countries are not part of the Schengen Area. Non-Schengen countries have their own border rules. These countries include:

Ask these countries' high commission, embassy or consulate for visa information.

• General advice on  visas .
• Before you go, get the right travel insurance .
• Read about Australia's 11 reciprocal health care agreements .
• The Schengen Area explained

Related content

Many Australians hold two or more nationalities. If you're travelling to the country of your other nationality, find out how your citizenship can impact you.

Foreign governments often require you to get a visa before they let you enter. This page provides general advice and information about visas overseas.

Invasive meningococcal disease cases reported in US, Europe, linked to travel to Saudi Arabia

Twelve cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) have been reported in France (4), the United Kingdom (UK) (3), and the United States (US) (5) in travelers to Saudi Arabia (KSA) as of May 17.

Almost all cases reported performing Umrah pilgrimage while in the Saudi Arabia. The majority of cases belong to meningococcus serogroup W and have no history of meningococcus vaccination.

Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacterium  Neisseria meningitidis . The bacterium is often detected in the nasopharynx without causing disease, a situation described as asymptomatic carriage. The bacteria occasionally invade the body and cause  meningococcal  infection, which is an acute severe bacterial infection. Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a major cause of meningitis and septicemia. The disease often has a rapid progression, with an 8–15% case-fatality ratio. The highest incidence occurs in young children, with a second disease peak among adolescents and young adults. 

Travel Pouch Neck Wallet Family Passport Holder Organizer Case with RFID Blocking

European health authorities recommends the following measures to EU/EEA public health authorities: 

Ensure that travellers to the Hajj and Umrah zones in KSA eligible for vaccination are counselled to receive the quadrivalent (ACWY) meningococcal vaccine at least 10 days before departure.

Raise awareness among clinicians for early suspicion of meningitis in returning travellers and include travel history in their assessment of IMD cases, particularly where there has been travel to KSA for religious purposes.

Appropriately manage newly-detected cases. Early suspicion and treatment, isolation of meningitis cases, identification of close contacts, provision of chemoprophylaxis, and monitoring of close contacts for clinical symptoms for at least 10 days from the last possible exposure are essential for the management of cases. Healthcare workers managing suspected or confirmed cases should follow their national infection, prevention and control protocols.

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Continue surveillance, including molecular surveillance, as well as antibiotic susceptibility testing of all IMD cases, to inform prevention and control measures. IMD cases, particularly if linked to travel to the Hajj and Umrah zones, should be promptly reported to the EpiPulse platform [through nominated persons] to allow better risk assessment and the provision of updated recommendations.

Meningococcal isolates should be genotyped by whole genome sequencing and reported to pubmlst.org or to the European Meningococcal Epidemiology in Real Time database (EMERT-II) to allow for the rapid identification and control of multinational clusters. ECDC can provide sequencing support upon request.

Thanks for reading Outbreak News Today! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

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Where will Eurovision 2025 be held? The three Swiss towns vying to host

Geneva, basel and st gallen have all thrown their hats into the eccentric musical ring, article bookmarked.

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Following  Nemo ’s big win in  Malmo ,  Sweden  with the song  The Code,  Switzerland  will host  Eurovision  for the third time in 2025.

The last time the Swiss hosted the contest was 35 years ago in  Lausanne in1989. Before that, the 1956 instalment of the competition visited  Lugano  in Switzerland’s Ticino region.

As the host country, Switzerland will join the Big Five – the  UK ,  France,  Spain ,  Germany  and  Italy  – to automatically qualify for next year’s live final.

Though the event often set up in the capital, there’s a huge tourism draw to wherever lands the title of host city.

Switzerland’s national broadcaster (SSR SRG) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are currently shortlisting the Swiss locations to set the stage.

Here are the potential host cities already bidding to be backdrop to the 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Where could Eurovision 2025 be held?

According to local media Switzerland’s second city, Geneva , has already submitted a proposal to the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation with preliminary plans to host Eurovision 2025.

The Palexpo convention centre, with a capacity for nearly 15,000 spectators, is pegged to accommodate the contest if Geneva  were selected as the host city.

As the gateway to the Alps , glitzy Geneva is a city break favourite among the the skiing crowds, as well as those looking for top-notch watch ateliers, chocolate to satisfy a sweet tooth and lakeside vineyards.

Conradin Cramer, president of the canton of  Basel -Stadt, posted to Twitter/X: “Congratulations to Nemo on his great victory at #ESC2024 in Malmö! Switzerland will now host #ESC2025. # Basel is an excellent venue. And we are ready: with our infrastructure, accessibility and hospitality. #ESC2025Basel.”

The third biggest Swiss city is a tangle of pastel townhouses on the Rhine, edgy art fairs and al fresco watering holes come summer.

Spaces that could host the international performance include the St Jakobshalle concert hall and St Jakob-Park FC Basel sports stadium.

The newly opened St Galler Kantonalbank Hall in St Gallen has been proposed as a potential venue with the space to host 12,000 Eurovision fans.

Christine Bolt, head of the Olma Messen AG in eastern Switzerland expressed her support for St Gallen to take centre stage next year.

Bolt said: “Thanks to the new hall, we are playing in the first league.

“It is part of our core mission to carry out events in the interests of Eastern Switzerland. Together with our partners in the next phase, we will check whether we officially apply or not.”

If the contest was to set up in St Gallen, the charming north eastern city features a renowned business university and the baroque facades and library of the Unesco-listed Abbey of Saint Gall.

How is the Eurovision host city decided?

The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation and the EBU will select a shortlisted city based on their proposals and require that they meet the hosting criteria for the contest. A group of organisers are currently working in Bern to plan the details of the eccentric music competition.

A Eurovision destination must have:

• A venue with a capacity for at least 10,000 people 
• A press centre for journalists
• Reach to an international airport 
• Enough hotel accommodation to host delegates and their teams 

Switzerland’s chosen host city is expected to be officially announced in September after the Host City Bid process and ahead of ticket sales.

Read more: Basel city guide: Where to stay, eat, drink and shop in Switzerland’s underrated third city

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Jet2 adds new routes from 7 UK airports to 'stunning and picturesque' European spot

Jet2 has expanded routes and packages

By Sarra Gray

Published: 16/05/2024

Jet2 and Jet2CityBreaks have expanded the flights on offer to Norway and its fjords

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Holidaymakers can take advantage of brand new routes to Bergen, Norway that will take flight from seven UK airports.

The new routes follows the airline's announcement last month that is would travel to Bergen for the first time in over 15 years.

Britons will be able to book brand new flights from Bristol, Edinburgh and London Stansted Airports and enjoy expanded programmes from Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle.

There will be a total of 31 departures on sale for 2025 as seat capacity increases by more than double.

Flights to Bergen will allow customers to enjoy Norway's famous fjords and explore all the city has to offer.

Jet2 states: "As well as giving customers access to stunning fjords such as Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, the city of Bergen itself boasts a backdrop of spectacular mountains which are wrapped around a picturesque harbour lined with a variety of fashionable restaurants and bars.

"This historic harbour district, Bryggen, is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List and provides visitors with one of the world's most significant examples of the history and culture of a particular medieval settlement."

The expansion comes as part of increasing demand from customers looking to book discovery-based experiences.

Full 2025 programme

• 11 x departures in total (up from seven in 2024) giving customers fantastic choice thanks to twice weekly departures (Mondays and Fridays) operating between 11th April and 16th May 2025.
• 4 x breaks in total (up from two in 2024).
• 2 x three-night long-weekend breaks, departing on Friday 18th April and 25th April 2025.
• 2 x four-night midweek breaks departing on Monday 21st and 28th April 2025.

Leeds Bradford

• 4 x breaks in total (up from three in 2024)
• 2 x three-night midweek breaks departing on Monday 5th May and 12th May 2025.
• 2 x four-night long weekend breaks departing on Thursday 8th May and 15th May 2025.

Newcastle International

• 2 x four-night long weekend breaks departing on Thursday 10th April and 17th April 2025.
• 2 x three-night midweek breaks departing on Monday 14th April and 21st April 2025.
• New route - 1 x three-night long weekend break departing on Friday 2nd May 2025.
• New route – 4 x breaks in total
• 2 x four-night midweek breaks departing on Monday 5th and 12th May 2025.
• 2 x three-night long-weekend breaks, departing on Friday 9th and 16th May 2025.

London Stansted

• New route – 3 x breaks in total
• 2 x four-night long-weekend breaks, departing on Thursday 24th April and 1st May 2025.
• 1 x three-night midweek break departing on Monday 28th April 2025.

CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays Steve Heapy said: “We are just a few weeks on from launching flights and city breaks to Bergen and the fjords for the first time in over 15 years, and the response from customers and independent travel agents has been incredible. That response means we are more than doubling the size of our Bergen programme for 2025, including the introduction of new routes from Bristol, Edinburgh and London Stansted for the first time, meaning we will operate to Norway from seven of our UK bases next year.

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Bergen offers lots for tourists to discover

“As well as giving customers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the spectacular fjords and breathtaking scenery of Norway, Bergen is a truly stunning and vibrant city. With so much to experience, this makes Bergen a hugely popular destination and our 'Discover More' range is proving to be the perfect product for customers and independent travel agents who want to enjoy an experience-based holiday with all the award-winning benefits of Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks.”

Director of route development at Avinor Airports of Norway Espen Willassen Hoel added: “We are very excited to see Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks expand their presence in Bergen for the spring of 2025. This will allow even more visitors to experience and explore the beautiful landscapes and historic cities in the western part of Norway, including our world-famous fjords.

"Visiting Bergen and the Fjords in the spring is a majestic bucket-list experience and we look forward to welcoming Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks’ visitors to our home.”

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• Visas and immigration
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The best river cruises for boutique European cruising

From wine tasting along the Douro to Italian feasts with top chefs in Venice, browse the most amazing river cruise itineraries

From the Douro to the Rhine , Europe has some of the world's most scenic rivers that are best experienced on a small ship, where you can sail from little towns to historic cities via relaxing long stretches of countryside.

We've rounded up the best river cruises for boutique sailing, selecting those that combine the most carefully put-together itineraries aboard the loveliest ships, including a super-luxe option to explore the Venetian Lagoon in autumn 2024.

River cruises are also the perfect introduction to cruise holidays for first-timers, while those who already know and love the joy of discovering destinations by small ship will enjoy exploring new itineraries accompanied by famous faces, such as chef James Martin and historian Lucy Worsley .

Here are Good Housekeeping's pick of the best river cruises for exploring Europe's wonderful rivers, plus a few options for those who want to travel further afield.

Sail the magical Venetian Lagoon and hear Russell Watson sing

Venice is a captivating city, almost frozen in time, where astoundingly beautiful buildings line a maze of canals — it's no wonder the sheer decadence of this place captures the hearts of so many. Part of the thrill of visiting Venice is getting swept up in its narrow streets, peering into windows displaying intricately painted masks and feasting on plates of risotto in piazzas. Join Good Housekeeping's fantastic music-themed Venice cruise with world-renowned tenor Russell Watson, which includes an exclusive intimate concert in this stunning and historic city and seven nights on board a luxury ship. You'll explore the lagoon's elegant waterways aboard S.S La Venezia. It's an incredible eight-day itinerary that takes you around the Venetian Lagoon to visit places such as Chioggia, Torcello, Mazzorbo and Burano.

S.S. La Venezia matches Venice's splendour in its opulent fittings, filled with accents that honour its location, including exquisite Venetian masks and Murano glass. Everything's included on this five-star cruise, from delicious food and wines to a choice of excursions around the islands.

When? October 2024

FIND OUT MORE

Taste Portuguese wines on a Douro River cruise

The gorgeous Douro Valley is an enchanting and peaceful pocket of Portugal, famed for its port wine and loved for its storybook-style beauty. Terraced vineyards rise steeply from the winding river and are dotted with whitewashed Quintas - the region's terracotta-roofed wine estates - making it a particularly scenic area for a relaxing river cruise.

Sit on the sundeck of a ship to watch the scenery pass by, and delight your palate with some of Portugal’s most sensational wines on an eight-day round-trip cruise on the Douro River. You'll be able to explore the area and learn more about its port production — with plenty of opportunities to sample it yourself on visits to rustic Quintas

After arriving in Porto to board the A-ROSA ALVA, you’ll sail to Régua, a pretty riverfront town that’s produced port since the 18th century. You'll follow the Douro, hopping from place to place to where Portugal borders Spain before turning back. A highlight is visiting a Quinta in Pinhão where, depending on the season, you might get to take part in the traditional grape harvest, picking and crushing the grapes underfoot .

When? June and September 2024

Visit Germany's famous Christmas markets along the Rhine

There are so many enchanting cities and villages along the banks of the Rhine, and they really come into their own in December. Germany is famed for its atmospheric Christmas markets, and many of the best in the country can be found along the Rhine, making a Christmassy cruise a fabulous way to explore them.

There's Mainz, one of the oldest cities in Germany, where you can visit a historic Christmas market on the Domplatz, set against a backdrop of the illuminated Mainz Cathedral. You'll want to visit Koblenz too, a city considered to have one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany, and one of the largest in the Rhineland.

Join Good Housekeeping for a festive voyage along the Rhine on the the beautiful ship A-ROSA Aqua and you'll visit Mainz and Koblenz as well as Frankfurt and Cologne, where the market takes place right in front of the famous Cologne Cathedral.

On board your ship you'll find a sauna, fitness area, and whirlpool to enjoy between your market trips, and ample breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets in the ship's lovely dining venues.

When? December 2024 FIND OUT MORE

Glide along the Danube and see the Lipizzaner horses in Vienna

The banks of the Danube have seen the rise and fall of empires and provided inspiration to some of Europe's greatest artists and composers. This grand river winds its way past mysterious hillside castles and ancient medieval towns and meanders through a range of culture-rich cities, including four European capitals . A river cruise is an unbeatable way to explore some of the cities straddling the Danube, allowing you to visit several towns, villages and cities on one trip, without having to organise local transport yourself.

One of the finest cities that the Danube flows through is Vienna, once the home of Mozart, where manicured gardens, chic coffee houses and baroque palaces will have you feeling like you've stepped back in time. It's also the home of the Royal Lipizzaner Stables at the Spanish Riding School, where grand Lipizzan horses perform a mesmerising type of equine ballet. On Good Housekeeping's Danube River cruise you can visit the Royal Lipizzaner Stables with historian Lucy Worsley. You'll enjoy an aperitif and a talk before watching the training of the young stallions in the imperial atmosphere of the Baroque winter riding school, as classical Viennese music plays.

When? September 2024

Sail further afield with a cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia

While Europe has more than its fair share of enchanting rivers, you're also spoilt for choice if you fancy a river cruise further afield.

Asia has several waterways which provide ideal routes for discovering new countries and cultures. Flowing through Myanmar, China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, the Mekong is one of the longest rivers in the world and home to an incredible range of wildlife.

It makes the ideal destination for a river cruise that combines culture, delicious cuisine and wildlife-spotting. You might spot species like the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, giant freshwater stingray and giant catfish swimming alongside you.

Good Housekeeping is offering an immersive adventure along the Mekong through Cambodia and Vietnam. You'll sail in a Luxury Balcony suite aboard the Mekong Jewel, a luxurious and beautifully decorated ship, to visit unforgettable sights like the UNESCO-listed Angkor Wat temples and incredible cities like Phnom Penh and Hanoi.

There'll be ample opportunities to learn about the turbulent history of the region too, with visits to the infamous Killing Fields and a glimpse of the Viet Cong's network of tunnels dating back to the Vietnam War.

When? December 2024

Enjoy an Italian feast with James Martin in Venice

One thing that's synonymous with Italy is good food, and that's exactly what you can enjoy on this eight-day sailing around Venice and the Veneto region.

Tick off Venice's spectacular sights, including the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge and St Mark's Basilica, which you'll visit after dark on our Good Housekeeping cruise . As part of our GH trip, you'll also get VIP access to the Doge's Palace, the stunning Venetian Gothic palace that dates back to 1340.

Sailing on the luxurious S.S. La Venezia , which accommodates only 126 guests and has a wonderfully intimate feel, you'll also visit the colourful, charming islands of Burano (pictured above), Mazzorbo and Torcello, all situated in the Lagoon of Venice.

If all of that wasn't exciting enough, the cherry on top will be meeting acclaimed chef James Martin, who will join you on board for the day to give a talk and partake in a Q&A and book-signing session. In addition, the much-loved Saturday Morning host will cook a delectable gala dinner one evening, too.

Discover local traditions as you sail the Ganges in a luxury ship

Another Asian adventure awaits on the Ganges, India's most sacred river. Sailing along this important body of water allows you a unique insight into life along its banks. It meanders 2,500km through the country from its starting point high in the Himalayas down through sprawling cities, tiny villages, and spectacular nature.

A Ganges cruise is a wonderful way to see some of India's best attractions, with highlights including the Rajbari temple complex in Kalna, the artisan village of Matiari, and the neoclassical Hazarduari Palace in Murshidabad.

Join Good Houskeeping's once-in-a-lifetime tour of India , which includes seven-night cruising in luxury down the Ganges. After exploring India's Golden Triangle – including a trip to witness both sunset and sunrise over the iconic Taj Mahal – you'll board the opulent Ganges Voyager II, a spectacular ship adorned with hand-painted murals, to explore the culture and history on the river banks. Of course, another highlight of India holiday is the cuisine, and you'll be joined on board by Michelin-starred British-Indian chef Atul Kochhar, who will share his passion for Indian cooking in a live demonstration.

When? November 2024

Discover the wonders of Egypt and sail the Nile

A brilliant option if you're itching to explore another continent is Egypt, where the Nile holds awe-inspiring archaeological treasures along its banks.

A cruise along this fabled river allows you to easily visit magnificent temples like Kom Ombo, Philae, and Edfu and to see the Valley of the Kings, the ancient burial grounds of Egyptian royalty. There are several more fascinating monuments to see along the way, including the towering twin statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. Join a cruise along the Nile with Good Housekeeping and you'll see all this and more while sailing on board the exceptional luxury ship, River Tosca. Making this river cruise even more special is the company of historian and author Lucy Worsley.

Lucy is an expert in Agatha Christie, who took inspiration from this region for one of her most famous works, Death on the Nile. You'll have afternoon tea at the hotel which features in the novel and Lucy will share her knowledge of the famous author's work during several Q&As and talks.

More cruise ideas:

- The best cruises for couples

- A guide to Northern Lights cruises

- The most beautiful Danube cities and towns

- A guide to Japan cruise holidays

- The most beautiful rivers in Europe

- The best small ship cruises

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