The devastating effects of Brexit on travel once seemed like a far-off possibility – until now

If your passport runs out tomorrow, you could still take a 12-hour jaunt to Paris today. But come 29 March, if the UK crashes out without a deal you’ll need a minimum of six months left

I never thought, when I stumbled into a career in travel journalism at the tender age of 25, that I’d need to know much about politics.

Geography, sure (where’s the next must-visit destination?). Economics, maybe (getting the most foreign dosh for your pound and all that). But avidly watching PMQs? Doubtful.

But we live in a world where politics increasingly encroaches on every corner of our lives, whether we want it to or not.

Yes, I’m talking about the dreaded B-word. In the week that saw Theresa May suffer the biggest Commons defeat in history over her Brexit proposal, the spectre of no deal loomed ever closer – and the travel industry sat up and took notice.

A no-deal Brexit would raise untold issues for all areas of British life, but travel is one of those where consumers are likely to be hit hardest. We’ll go from having complete freedom to swan in and out of any of the 26 Schengen countries, using our mobile data for free and accessing complimentary medical care, to being subject to far more scrutiny, red tape – and expense.

Wizz Air began preparing its customers for possible no-deal side-effects this week, tweeting that Brits should “check if your UK passport is still valid for Europe after 29 March 2019”.

“We want you to have a smooth journey,” it added. Not bloomin’ likely. As members of the EU, UK citizens can currently travel to other member states as long as their passport hasn’t hit its expiry date.

If it runs out tomorrow, you could still take a 12-hour jaunt to Paris today. But come 29 March, if the UK crashes out without a deal you’ll need a minimum of six months left.

The Association of British Insurers also warned of knock-on effects, telling holidaymakers they would need to purchase a “Green Card” to drive in the EU in the event of no deal – including for the 110 million journeys made across the Irish border each year.

Not to mention the myriad complications that would arise when it comes to airport security, aviation safety, capping flights, travelling with pets...

Still. Those blue passports will make a nice change, eh?

Yours,

Helen Coffey

Deputy head of travel