Article of the Month
European Break - Berlin
With the exchange rate against the Euro at an 18 month high, now might be the time to dust off your plans for a little break away. Berlin is only a 2 hour flight and with a cheaper cost of living than the UK, the summer months are a great time to go.
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| Passport |
| You need to make sure that it is valid and will remain valid for a period of six months after your return date. Some countries actually stipulate this as a requirement for entry. If you apply for a new passport with 6 months remaining your old one, you will be issued a new passport which lasts for a period of 10 years and 6 months so you do not lose out. All children under 16 who are not already on their parents' passports must have their own children's passport. This is valid for 5 years. If travelling to the USA, children must have their own passport. The UK Passport Service recommends that you carry 2 passport sized photographs with you when you travel in case a replacement passport is required. |
| Visas |
| The information on this site refers to British Citizens, if you are not a British Citizen i.e. you hold the passport of another country, or one endorsed; British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British Subject, British National Overseas or British Protected Person, you may need a visa. Ensure you have sufficient time to apply for any visas you require as you may have to send your passport away. You may be able to buy your visa on entry to that country which could work out cheaper and more convenient. If visiting more than one country where a visa is required, try and get them all before you travel as some Embassies are not able to issue them and this could delay your travel plans. Only use authorised border crossing points and ensure that you receive an exit or entry stamp from those countries that issue them. If you do not, you may be fined, delayed or sent back to get one. Be aware that some countries will not permit you to enter if you have a passport stamp or visa from Israel. Any information we have found relating to this will feature in the destination guides. |
| Money |
| Take enough money in a combination of foreign currency, Travellers Cheques and Credit/Debit Cards. Also have some back-up funds for unexpected expenditure or travel emergencies. Let your card issuer know you are going abroad, as some companies put a stop on foreign transactions to prevent fraud. You will need your PIN number to facilitate any ATM withdrawals. Some countries do not allow the import or export of currency and you will have to change money on your arrival. Unless you are certain you are getting a competitive exchange rate only change a small amount of money at the airport to cover initial expenses. Check your cash thoroughly or you might find you have been short changed before you have left the airport terminal. Some money changers take advantage of the fact that you will be both tired and unsure of the currency. Buy a secure neck wallet or money belt to protect against pick pockets. |
| Travel Insurance |
| Travel insurance is not just about loosing your baggage so be sure that you have sufficient cover for the activities you are likely to undertake whilst you are away. It is essential that you read the small print in your policy, does it include participation in any hazardous sports activities not just skiing or diving but also horse riding, sailing or riding a motorbike. Some countries offer reciprical health cover which varies according to the country. Some offer cover for everything, others only for emergency treatment. Ensure your travel insurance provides cover for all your medical bills, the cost of bringing your family home in the event of illness or injury, air ambulance support if you are travelling to remote areas, or the repatriation of a body home. Check also to ensure your valuables are covered; jewellery, cameras or sports equipment. |
| European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) |
| If you are travelling within the European Economic Area (EEA) remember to carry your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which used to be known as the E111. This will allow you access to free or reduced-cost emergency medical treatment in certain countries. It does not cover everything that the NHS does, you may have to make a contribution for the cost of treatment or medication. In some countries you will need to produce your passport and proof of eligibility with your Driving Licence and or your NHS Medical Card. It should be remembered that this is not an alternative to travel insurance. The EHIC is valid in: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus not the north, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The EHIC is valid for between 3-5 years. |
| Airline Tickets |
| Make sure that your tickets have the same name as entered in your passport as immigration may not allow entry. It is advisable to photocopy all of your airline tickets and visas which should be kept separate from the original copies. This will assist you in obtaining replacements in the event of loss. This is particularly important if you are travelling independently. |
| Inoculations |
| Check whether you require any inoculations to cover you whilst you are away. The prescription of anti-malarial drugs and administration of inoculations will have to be booked through a GP or travel clinic. You may have to start taking a course of tablets before you actually depart to build up your immunity, so it is wise to check requirements with your GP at least six weeks before your departure. |
| Personal Medication |
| Ensure you have a sufficient supply for the duration of your trip. To avoid any confusion or misunderstanding at airports, it is best to keep medication in their prescribed bottles or blister packs. Also take the prescription as some over the counter medicines are illegal in some countries. Check if in doubt. Personal medication should be packed in your hand luggage. Put together a first aid kit, with some plasters, insect repellent and sting relief, antiseptic cream, headache tablets and water sterilisation tablets. This will take up little space and could prove useful. Emergency Medical Travel Kits contain a variety of sterilised and sealed items such syringes, needles and suture materials and can now be easily purchased and are advised for those countries where hygiene and safety cannot be guaranteed or where these items are in short supply. |
| Destination Information |
| Carry out research on your travel destination. Look at our destination guides within the Secure Travel Organiser website as a start point and extend your knowledge with a good guidebook. To avoid any trouble or misunderstandings find out about local laws and customs. Remember attitudes differ greatly from country to country; the carrying or trafficking of drugs can attract the death penalty and there could be zero tolerance of drinking and driving for example. Prior to your departure ensure you have applied for your SECTOR Card and have entered your Personal Information in the subscriber area of the Secure Travel Organiser website. |
| Travelling with Children |
| Single parents or other lone adults travelling with children should be aware that some countries require documentary proof of parental responsibility. If in doubt check or you might be delayed entry or exit. |
| What should I do if I lose my Passport or it has been stolen? |
| If you lose your passport or it is stolen whilst you are abroad you need to report it to the nearest British Embassy/High Commissioner's Office/Consulate and local Police station. Details of offices can be found either on the Websites Destination Guides or follow the link to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. You will have to complete and sign a lost or stolen declaration form LS01 as part of the application process for a replacement. You can report a lost or stolen passport on line www.passport.gov.uk whereby a pre-printed LS01 will be sent to you to sign, date and return to the UKPS for processing. The in country FCO will arrange for the issue of a replacement passport to support your onward or return travel. It should be noted that once an online lost/stolen passport report has been submitted it will result in the related passport being cancelled and not valid for use again. If a passport is subsequently found, it should be returned to the UKPS immediately. |
| What should I do if I my credit/debit card has been lost or stolen? |
| You need to report the loss or theft as soon as possible so that your issuer can cancel the card and protect you from fraudulent transactions. You will need to contact them using the international number which was provided by your issuer in your card documentation. If you do not have this information on your SECTOR Card or personal information page, the number will be contained on the issuer's website. Depending on the type of card, the back-up suppor offered by the provider and time that you are spending away, some issuer's will aim to provide you with a replacement or have cash transferred to you. If you are without cash, in country FCO/High Commission/Consulate staff will be able to assist you to transfer money from home. |
| What should I do if my Travellers Cheques have been lost or stolen? |
| Hopefully you will have kept a copy of the serial numbers separate from your traveller's cheques. By contacting your issuer using the emergency contact number contained within the provided documentation they will look to provide replacements within a given time frame. |
| Where should I change my money? |
| It is advised that you change your traveller's cheques and money in banks, hotels or authorised foreign exchange offices. By using "street" (essentially black market) exchange facilities you are in danger of drawing undue attention to yourself. If you exchange large amounts of money you could be identified as a target for pick pockets. This is also illegal in some countries. |
| What should I do if my Airline/Travel Tickets have been lost stolen? |
| If you are with a package/tour operator speak to your local travel representative who will contact the airline/travel provider for replacements. As they may not be possible to reissue them immediately travel could be delayed. Depending on your travel insurance policy steps could be taken by the insurance company to organise replacements but you may be charged for this service. It is more difficult to replace scheduled flight tickets, hence the need to photocopy your tickets as proof of purchase. Airlines tend to charge a hefty fee for the production of replacement tickets, in some cases it will almost be the same cost of your original ticket. Speak to your travel insurance company before purchasing replacement tickets to ensure that you are entitled to reimbursement. |
| What should I do if personal property has been lost or stolen? |
| If your checked in baggage does not arrive at your destination airport you should report this to the lost luggage desk immediately. They should ask you to fill out a form with your arrival flight and any connecting flight details, your hotel/accommodation address and contact telephone number along with a description of the lost item. You should also be given a contact number to call to check if the item has arrived. If the item does arrive at a later time the airport may agree to deliver it to your hotel or the address where you are staying. A fee may be charged. Alternatively you can chose to collect it from the airport yourself. As a precaution, in case the lost item does not turn up within 48 hours, call your travel insurance company to inform them of the loss. Depending on your level of cover, funds may be transferred to cover the cost of buying new clothes or you could be reimbursed on your return. It should be noted that it is unlikely that you will receive the original value of the items lost as the insurance company will take wear and tear into consideration. If personal property is either lost or stolen outside of the airport, you must report this to the local police station . It is important that you receive an incident report which your insurance company will require prior to processing any claim. Contact your insurance company if you have any problems in obtaining such an incident report. They should offer advice as to the steps that should be taken. The British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate can provide assistance if required. |
| What should I do if I become ill whilst abroad? |
| Your hotel should be able to call in a Doctor if you become ill. The Doctor may charge a visiting fee plus the cost of any medication. If you need to be moved to a hospital you should ensure that you take your travel insurance documents with you as treatment may not be provided without proof of payment. If you believe that you are not receiving the correct or adequate medical attention contact the in country Embassy, High Commission or Consulate staff who can advise on alternative hospitals or provide assistance with travel back to the UK. Keep all medical bills and receipts as your insurer may need these to reimburse any costs. It would be wise to inform your travel insurance company at the earliest opportunity if you need to seek medical assistance. It should be noted that if you get injured or ill as a result of drugs or alcohol, your travel insurance may be invalidated and the airline may also refuse to fly you home. Some illnesses take a while to surface and if you feel unwell and cannot identify your symptoms or if you develop flu like symptoms, it is advisable that you visit your GP for a check up. Similarly if you have been bitten or scratched it is advisable you visit your GP, particularly if you did not visit a Doctor whilst you were abroad. |
| What should you do if you, a friend or family member is arrested? |
| If you break the law the police are well within their rights to arrest you, irrespective of whether you are a visitor to their country. If you are charged and are to be held, you should insist that the British Consulate is told. They will in turn contact you and provide assistance as necessary. They cannot however demand your release from jail but will take action if your human rights have been denied or abused. Consular staff will provide you with information about English speaking local lawyers and general information about the legal and prison system of the country you are in. They will pass messages between you and your family and advise how your family can send money out to you. The British Consulate will not however pay for legal advice or instigate local proceedings on your behalf, investigate a crime or pay your fines or get you out on bail. It should also be remembered that they cannot demand better treatment for you than is given to local nationals. You should also note that the FCO has a legal obligation to notify the UK law authorities when a British National is arrested on drug trafficking charges overseas. |
| What should I do if I lose my SECTOR Card? |
| By contacting the sales team by email, you can arrange to have a replacement card made. As the card will have to be reprinted you will be charged a replacement fee. The basic cost is £8.99 and P+P will be charged according to destination. If you are a subscriber to the Secure Travel Organiser website you will be able to retrieve the information held on your card from your personal information page - as long as you remembered to fill it in!! |
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