Will UCC’s insurance coverage remain the same after Brexit takes effect?

Yes, the University has confirmed with its insurers that its insurance coverage will remain the same following the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union irrespective of whether the United Kingdom concludes a Withdrawal Agreement prior to its departure or not. 

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) and the Association of British Insurers have advised those planning on driving Irish-registered vehicles in Northern Ireland or Britain, post-Brexit to obtain a Green Card from their insurance company. Green Cards are internationally recognised insurance documents, which act as proof of motor insurance when travelling internationally.

Can I still travel to the United Kingdom?

Yes. Irish citizens can continue to travel freely between the United Kingdom and Ireland in the same manner as before by virtue of the Common Travel Area which exists between the two jurisdictions.

For further information on the Common Travel Area, please visit the Government of Ireland’s website at https://www.dfa.ie/brexit/getting-ireland-brexit-ready/brexit-and-you/common-travel-area/ 

For non-Irish citizens, see Q.4 below.

Will my passport be checked on entry to the United Kingdom?

There are no requirements for passport controls for Irish and British citizens travelling within the Common Travel Area i.e. between Ireland and the United Kingdom however, some air and sea carriers regard a passport as the only valid form of identification.

For further information on the Common Travel Area, please visit the Government of Ireland’s website at https://www.dfa.ie/brexit/getting-ireland-brexit-ready/brexit-and-you/common-travel-area/ 

For non-Irish citizens, a passport check will apply at United Kingdom borders.

Will I require a travel visa to enter the United Kingdom?

Irish citizens will not require a travel visa to enter the United Kingdom by virtue of the Common Travel Area which exists between the two jurisdictions.

Current United Kingdom Visa and Immigration guidance is that other European Economic Area citizens and Swiss citizens will not require a travel visa to enter the United Kingdom however, the permitted duration of such citizens’ stay in the United Kingdom may be limited in the future.

For citizens of countries outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland, existing travel visa arrangements for the United Kingdom will continue to apply.

For further information on the Common Travel Area, please visit the Government of Ireland’s website at https://www.dfa.ie/brexit/getting-ireland-brexit-ready/brexit-and-you/common-travel-area/ 

For further information on visiting the United Kingdom after its departure from the European Union, please visit the United Kingdom Government’s website at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visiting-the-uk-after-brexit 

Will mobile phone roaming charges in the United Kingdom increase post-Brexit?

In the event of no Withdrawal Agreement being concluded prior to the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, mobile operators would no longer be legally required to offer roaming at no additional charge to customers travelling to the United Kingdom. Should mobile operators continue to offer roaming at no additional charge in such circumstances, that will be a commercial decision by that mobile operator.

The Irish Government has issued the following statement: ”Government has liaised with the industry on this issue and providers here have indicated that no major changes in pricing are expected in the immediate period following the UK leaving the EU.”

For further information on this topic, please visit the Government of Ireland’s website at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2b41b2-daily-life/#mobile-phones-roaming