Documents
There are a few things to think about before heading out on that trip to Europe you planned. There are some fundamental rights, privileges and obligations to consider,especially now during the Covid-19 pandemic. There are a few extra steps and precautions you might need to do before that trip will take place, and be extra vigilant if you are a third country national planning to travel in the European Union. Check out the Covid-19 page that has links to country specific information. Also check out what it means to travel during the coronavirus pandemic regarding PCR tests, Covid vaccination certificates, mobile contact and tracing apps, passenger locator forms etc.
What travel documents do you need to cross the border into another EU country. Find out what documents you need for your spouse, children or other relatives if they are not EU nationals.
Passenger name records (PNR)
PNR data is information provided by passengers during the reservation and booking of tickets and when checking in on flights, as well as collected by air carriers for their own commercial purposes. In 2011 the EU and the US agreed on a new PNR Agreement regulating the transfer of Passenger Name Record (PNR) by air carriers to the US. This agreement entered into force on 1 July 2012.
In sickness and in health
As an EU citizen, if you unexpectedly fall ill during a temporary stay abroad - whether on holiday, a business trip or to study - you are entitled to any medical treatment that can't wait until you get home. You have the same rights to health care as people insured in the country you are in. The European Health Insurance Card is a free card that gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 28 EU countries, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in some countries) as people insured in that country.
Smoke and drink
If you enter the EU from a non-EU country, goods having no commercial character in your personal luggage can be imported free of customs duties, VAT and excise duties within the limits. Visitors from outside the EU are entitled to get a refund of VAT paid on goods they have purchased during their stay in the EU provided that the goods are produced to Customs on departure from the EU together with the VAT refund documents. These documents are normally prepared by the merchant from whom the goods have been purchased, and the refund is made directly by the merchant, rather than the customs service.{adselite}
There are no limits on what private persons can buy and take with them when they travel between EU countries, as long as the products purchased are for personal use and not for resale, with exception of new means of transport. Taxes (VAT and excise) will be included in the price of the products in the Member State of purchase and no further payment of taxes can be due in any other Member State. However, special rules apply in the case of goods subject to excise duty, such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
Travelling with pets
In the European Union there is legislation on what action you need before you travel with your pet to another country. Non-commercial travel across borders within the EU are harmonised with legislation for three kids of animals; cats, dogs and ferrets. For any other pet you have, you should contact the destination country's authorities.
What you need
Entry into all Member States: Valid anti-rabies vaccination is the sole requirement as regards rabies.
Entry into Finland, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom: Dogs must be treated against the tapeworm Echinococcus. The treatment shall be administered by a veterinarian within a period of not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before the time of scheduled entry into Finland, Ireland, Malta or the United Kingdom. The treatment shall be certified by the administering veterinarian in the relevant section of the passport.
Roaming charges
There are no extra charges when calling, texting and surfing for people who periodically travel between countries in the EU.
Further reading on your rights and obligations when travelling in Europe can be found in this brochure.
Bon voyage!