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Theresa May has carried out a dramatic U-turn by promising MPs a vote to reject a no-deal Brexit and – if they do that – a vote to demand a delay beyond 29 March.
So what are the key dates for the momentous weeks ahead?
* Wednesday 27 February
There will be a series of votes, including on Labour ’s softer Brexit plan and an attempt to guarantee the rights of British expats in the EU if the UK crashes out without a deal. The crunch was set to be the Yvette Cooper amendment to force the prime minister to seek an Article 50 extension, if her deal is rejected again – but it may now be withdrawn, following her climbdown.
Show all 14 1 /14How Brexit will affect your travel to Europe How Brexit will affect your travel to Europe Passports British passports that expire after 29 March 2019 will continue to be valid as UK travel documents, but will lose the power that comes with being a European Union passport – notably the right of free movement within the EU27. UK passports issued from 30 March 2019 will have the words “European Union” removed from the cover and the first page (along with the translations into Welsh and Gaelic). But they will still be burgundy. By October 2019, new British passports will have dark blue covers
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How Brexit will affect your travel to Europe Pets You will still be able to travel to the EU with your pet after Brexit, but it could well get more complicated depending on the status that the European Union decide to apply. If the UK is given “Part 2 listed status”, there would be some extra requirements for travelling pets and owners post-Brexit. “These would require an additional visit to the vet and some additional papers to be carried but would not prevent you from enjoying your trip,” says Eurotunnel. But it adds that if the UK is given unlisted, third-country status, “owners who wish to travel with their pets from the UK to EU nations will need to discuss their specific preparations and requirements with an Official Veterinarian at least four months prior to their desired travel date
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How Brexit will affect your travel to Europe Eurotunnel/Eurostar The Treaty of Canterbury between the UK and France governs the Channel Tunnel link and operations will continue – subject to any local disruption at Folkestone and/or Calais
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How Brexit will affect your travel to Europe Driving Motorists, whether taking their own cars or hiring abroad, are likely to need to obtain an International Driving Permit or two; different EU countries are signed up to different treaties, so for a trip embracing Spain and France you would need both types. These are currently sold from a limited number of Post Offices, but the government intends to make them widely available. The cost is £5.50 for each. Motor insurance will no longer automatically extend to the EU. Insurers will provide on request a “Green Card”, for which an extra charge will be made
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How Brexit will affect your travel to Europe Flights Even in the event of a no-deal Brexit, flights will continue to operate between the UK and European Union. However, in the event of the UK leaving with no deal, many flights are likely to be cancelled because departures would be capped at 2018 levels. As UK airlines have already announced thousands of new flights to Europe from the end of March 2019, some would have to be cancelled
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How Brexit will affect your travel to Europe Air routes The network of flight links between Britain and eastern Europe could be affected by any reduction in the number of workers from those countries. Not only do they use the flights – so do their families and friends
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How Brexit will affect your travel to Europe Flight disruption rights Current European passengers’ rights rules, known as EC261/2004, stipulate high payouts for delays and cancellations that cannot be attributed to “extraordinary circumstances”. Buried in a document called Beyond the Horizon: The Future of UK Aviation, the government says “the UK will not fall below current standards of protection when we leave the EU”
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How Brexit will affect your travel to Europe Entry regulations to the European Union From 11pm GMT on 29 March 2019, UK travellers will become “third-country nationals” when travelling to Schengen countries and subject to the standard rules of admission for citizens of nations such as the US, Japan and Australia. That means there must be at least 90 days (roughly three months) left on your passport beyond your intended date of departure. Because third-country nationals can remain in the Schengen area for 90 days, the actual check carried out could be that the passport has at least six months’ validity remaining on the date of arrival
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How Brexit will affect your travel to Europe Online registration prior to travel – ETIAS From 2021, non-EU nationals who do not require a visa to enter the Schengen area – including British travellers – will need to request prior authorisation to visit Schengen countries. The Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is aimed at reducing the “migration, security or public-health risk” from nationals of visa-exempt third countries, which is what the UK will become after Brexit. It costs €7 for three years
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How Brexit will affect your travel to Europe ‘Brexit clauses’ A large number of travel providers – even including National Express coaches – have added “Brexit clauses” to their terms and conditions. These generally specify that they will not be liable for “consequential losses” as a result of Brexit-related issues
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How Brexit will affect your travel to Europe ‘Fast track’ lanes for passport control entering EU countries British passport holders will not be able to use them, and must join the queue for third-country nationals. People holding an EU passport or ID card as well as a British passport will be able to exit the UK on the British passport but enter Europe on the EU document
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How Brexit will affect your travel to Europe Ferries The ferry industry insists vessels will continue to sail. The UK Chamber of Shipping says: “Unlike the carriage of cargo, trade deals do not have a significant effect on the cruise and passenger ferry industry. The explicit standardisation of commodity codes and tariffs associated with trade deals have little relevance to holidaymakers.” Having said that, the government and Kent County Council are planning for possible chaos at Channel ports because of a backlog of trucks in the event of a no-deal Brexit. This would impinge on holidaymakers’ plans
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How Brexit will affect your travel to Europe European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) The EU says: “If you fall ill or have an accident during a visit to another EU country, as an EU citizen you have the right to receive the necessary public healthcare in any EU country under the same conditions as people in the host country.” The EHIC also works in Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Treatment, says the NHS, is “at a reduced cost or, in many cases, free of charge”. From 11pm GMT on 29 March 2019, when the UK ceases to belong to the European Union, British travellers will have no automatic right to use the EHIC. There is no certainty about what may replace it
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How Brexit will affect your travel to Europe Mobile phones From 30 March 2019, the law banning mobile phone firms from charging extra for calls and data in Europe will cease, though operators have yet to set out exactly what will replace it. In theory, mobile phone firms can impose whatever fees they think the market will bear. But Dave Dyson, chef executive of Three, says his firm is “committed to maintain the availability of roaming in the EU at no additional cost following Brexit”
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* Tuesday 12 March
The deadline for a second “meaningful vote ” on the rejected withdrawal agreement, following its devastating 230-vote mauling six weeks ago . Ms May is urging the EU to guarantee the Irish border backstop will be temporary, but Brussels has ruled out rewriting the text – and the prime minister herself abandoned any attempt to replace the backstop with “alternative arrangements” , as MPs demanded. Unless changes are legally binding, it is unlikely that sufficient Tories will switch sides to overturn that yawning 230-vote margin.
* Wednesday 13 March
If they reject the deal again, MPs will vote on whether to leave the EU without an agreement – which they will almost certainly reject, given a no deal is only favoured by a small minority. The prime minister refused to say if Tories would be whipped to vote against crashing out, but any attempt to whip them in favour would trigger mass ministerial resignations. There will also be another neutral motion on the status of the negotiations which MPs will be able to amend, similar to the votes taking place this week.
* Thursday 14 March
If MPs reject a no-deal Brexit, they will vote the following day on whether the government should “seek a short, limited extension to Article 50”, which would require the agreement of all 27 EU countries. The prime minister refused to say for how long – “as short as possible”, she told MPs – but the expectation is about two months. Brussels may kick up rough, preferring a short extension only to complete the passage of Brexit legislation while suggesting a long delay if the UK is still dithering over what it wants. Downing Street was unable to say what will happen if MPs reject all options of her deal, a no deal and a delay.
Show all 20 1 /20Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit supporters outside parliament
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester adjusts her pro-EU wig
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A message to Jeremy Corbyn in support of a people’s vote
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A mock Titanic captained by Theresa May heads towards an iceberg in a stunt by campaigning group Avaaz
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters outside parliament
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides are in close contact outside of parliament
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Paintings of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester in Parliament Square
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Opposing protesters share the space outside parliament
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester holds EU balloons outside parliament
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters stand on Westminster Bridge
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester sets up outside parliament
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An Avaaz campaigner holds a People’s Vote life float
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A demonstrator holds a sign advocating a no-deal Brexit outside parliament
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester waves an EU flag on Westminster Bridge
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides demonstrate outside parliament
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Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides stand near parliament
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* Thursday 21 March
The next summit of EU leaders – at which Ms May will probably still be begging for further concessions on the deal. Don’t rule out yet another meaningful vote the following week, if the EU gives any ground.
* Saturday 23 March
Hundreds of thousands of people will pour onto the streets of London for a “Put It To The People March” – part of The Independent ’s Final Say campaign for a fresh referendum on the Brexit outcome
* Friday 29 March
The scheduled date, at 11pm, for leaving the EU, exactly two years after the triggering of Article 50 – which is now increasingly unlikely to be Brexit day.
* Thursday 23 May
The start of elections to the European parliament , after which a delay, keeping the UK in the EU, becomes increasingly difficult – but not impossible.
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