What is it like to travel to the UK after Brexit?

The United Kingdom (UK) finally left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2010. After 47 years as a member of the club, the UK has become a non-EU country and new rules will apply in the future regarding travelling to and from its territory.

However, London and Brussels authorities agreed that there will be a transition period until the end of 2020.

During these 11 months, even though the UK will no longer be a part of the EU, it will need to follow EU rules until the end of the year 2020.

According to Finland's airport operator Finavia, there were almost 1,5 million passengers travelling to and from Great Britain in 2019.

How will passport control be affected?

The UK has not been a part of the Schengen agreement, so Brexit will not bring changes to the border control process. Passengers travelling to the UK from a Schengen country and passengers entering a Schengen country from the UK will need to go through passport control as before.

Will Brexit affect the transfer process?

The One Stop Security arrangement will be concluded for the UK also after Brexit. The One Stop Security is EU's regulatory framework in which passengers, baggage and cargo arriving into the EU from a non-EU country do not need to be subjected again to security controls when transferring at EU airports.

Will there be changes to tax-free shopping?

During the transition period, no changes are expected.

How will Brexit affect the customs clearance?

During the transition period, no changes are expected in the customs clearance.

What will change after the transition period?

The final effects of Brexit after the transition period are not yet known. The effects on travelling and aviation industry will be further specified during the year 2020.