travel-wallchart-en.pdf

Easy travel for EU citizens

Cross-border payments

Motor insurance

Languages

There are no longer frontier controls at the borders

between more than half the EU countries. Passports

or ID cards are no longer needed, and flights between

them are treated as domestic flights.

Thanks to EU rules, withdrawing euro from a cash

machine, making a card payment or a bank transfer

in euro (up to € 12 500) now costs the same

wherever you are in the EU.

When travelling in the EU, your car insurance will

automatically provide, at no extra cost, the minimum

cover (third-party liability) required by law. This also

applies to Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. If you

have comprehensive insurance at home, check

whether the full cover extends to travelling in other

countries.

Europe is rich in languages. The main language

families are Germanic, Romance, Slav, Celtic and

Baltic. The EU institutions have 20 official languages,

but there are many other lesser-used ones.

You can learn more about the EU at the ‘Europa’

website: europa.eu.int

‘EUROPE DIRECT’ answers your questions about the

EU: call 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 or e-mail via

europa.eu.int/europedirect

This is thanks to the so-called Schengen Agreement,

which is part of EU law. The full Schengen members

are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,

Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands,

Portugal, Spain, Sweden (but not Ireland and

the United Kingdom) plus Iceland and Norway

(which are not EU members).

Many Europeans speak at least one other language

besides their mother tongue but, during your travels

in Europe, try using a few phrases of the local

language when talking to local people. It will

add colour to your experiences. Start with a ‘Good

morning’:

Shopping

You do not need a green card when travelling in the

EU but it serves as internationally recognised proof of

insurance, making it easier to claim compensation

if you have an accident. If you do not take a green

card with you, you should carry your certificate of

insurance.

There are no limits on what you can buy when you

travel between EU countries, as long as it is for

personal use and not for resale. Taxes (VAT and

excise) are included in the price you pay and no

further tax is due in any other EU country.

The 10 countries that joined the EU in 2004 are not

yet fully part of the Schengen area. You will therefore

need a valid passport or ID card to travel to those

countries and to Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Europe: a continent with thousands of years of history, a rich and diverse cultural heritage and some of

the world’s most beautiful scenery — so much for the traveller to discover and explore, and all this made

easier by the European Union (EU).

Culture

Your insurer can give you a European accident

statement form, a standard document that makes it

easier to make a declaration on the spot if you have

an accident in another country.

The EU supports and contributes to many cultural

projects and events taking place across Europe. Each

year, it designates a cultural capital of Europe. Cork

in Ireland was the choice for 2005. It is followed

in 2006 by Patras in Greece, while the joint culture

capitals for 2007 are Luxembourg and Sibiu

(Romania).

The 25 countries of the Union stretch across the continent from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean

Sea and from the west coast of Ireland to the eastern edge of Finland or Cyprus. You can cross many

borders within the EU without passport or baggage checks and the euro makes it easier to shop around

for bargains. A single market of 457 million people brings wider choice and lower prices.

However, as an EU citizen it is always prudent to carry

your passport or ID card when travelling in the EU as spot

checks can happen if public order or national security so

require.

Buying tobacco and alcohol

To determine whether the tobacco and alcohol you

buy when visiting other EU coun-

tries are for personal use, each

country can set guide levels. If

you exceed these levels, you may

be asked to prove that the

goods are intended for person-

al use and to justify their pur-

chase. The guide levels are

generous. For instance, you

can bring home from

another country 800 ciga-

rettes, plus 90 litres of

wine and 110 litres of

beer without questions

being asked.

Drive safely

When entering or leaving the EU at the external

borders you will need a valid passport

or ID card.

You have easy access to healthcare, if required, and pets need no longer be left at home. If you drive,

your driving licence and motor insurance issued in one EU country are valid in all the others. And you

can use your mobile phone everywhere.

Europe’s calendar is crowded with festivals and

special events in music, art, theatre, dance and film.

Check with national tourist offices for details of what

is on when you are travelling.

In all EU countries, you must wear seatbelts in both

the front and back of the car.

Remember to drive on the left in Cyprus, Ireland,

Malta and the United Kingdom.

Flying

Phoning without borders

The speed limit is generally 110, 120 or 130 km/h

on motorways and 50 or 60 km/h in built-up areas.

Creating a single European market in air transport

has lowered fares and increased the choice of carriers

and services for passengers.

There is just one prefix for making international

telephone calls anywhere in the EU. It is 00.

Country codes for phone calls:

Using a mobile phone while driving increases the

risk of a fatal accident five times over. It is either

explicitly or implicitly forbidden in all EU countries.

In some countries, the use of hands-free devices

is tolerated.

EU rules also safeguard passenger interests. These

include certain rights concerning flight information

and reservations, delays and cancellations, compen-

sation if you are refused boarding because of

overbooking, or in the case of accident or difficulties

with package holidays.

Some temporary

restrictions still

apply on cigarettes and

tobacco bought in the new EU mem-

ber states by residents of other EU countries.

The maximum permitted blood alcohol level varies

between 0.2 mg/ml and 0.9 mg/ml in most

countries. But others apply zero tolerance and allow

no alcohol in the blood while driving.

Security in airports

You will never need a visa for travelling within the EU.

Bringing in goods from

outside the EU

Pay as you go

Avoid the delay and inconvenience of having

something confiscated by airport security by making

sure you are not travelling with prohibited articles.

EU-wide lists of items that are not allowed in the

cabin and baggage hold on flights from EU airports

have been agreed. Authorities have to provide this

information to passengers before check-in, so look

out for it in the check-in area.

The country abbreviations are those used on motor vehicles.

Visitors from outside the EU

Visitors from outside, or holidaymakers returning from

abroad, can bring with them goods free

of VAT and excise duties for personal use within cer-

tain limits. The main limits are:

There are toll roads in many countries including

Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary,

Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia,

Spain and the United Kingdom. Visitors using

Austrian motorways and ‘A’ roads must possess and

display a toll label or vignette on their vehicle. These

can be bought at all major border crossings into

Austria and at larger petrol stations. The Czech

Republic, Hungary and Slovakia have a similar

system of a sticker affixed to the windscreen.

Mobile phones

If you are not a citizen of an EU country you will need

a valid passport to enter the EU.

You can use your mobile phone anywhere in Europe

and in many other countries thanks to the EU’s GSM

technical standard. Before travelling,

however, contact your

service provider to make

sure that your phone is

enabled for international

roaming. The costs will

depend on your provider.

There can be charges for

receiving calls abroad both

for you and the caller.

Nationals of 33 countries do not need a visa to visit

the EU for three months or less. These include

Bulgaria and Romania, due to join the EU in 2007,

and Croatia (a candidate country) — as well as

Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the

United States.

Tobacco

Alcoholic drinks

200 cigarettes or

1 litre of spirits or

100 cigarillos or

2 litres of wine

Access to healthcare

50 cigars or

250 grams of tobacco

If you are an EU national, you can get free or

reduced-cost healthcare in the case of illness or acci-

dent during a visit to any EU country, Iceland,

Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Since June

2004, a European health insurance card has been

introduced to facilitate access to healthcare in the EU

and to speed up the reimbursement of costs. It is

replacing the E111 form which remains valid during

the changeover period.

If your visa is from a country in the Schengen area,

you can travel to the other Schengen countries as

well without additional formalities. If you have a

valid residence permit from a Schengen country, it is

equivalent to a visa. You may need a national visa to

visit Ireland, the United Kingdom and the new EU

countries.

Consumer protection

As a consumer, you are protected by basic laws

that apply no matter what EU country you are in.

These cover things such as uniform food safety

standards and detailed rules on food labelling

and advertising. EU law provides specific protec-

tion on package holiday deals and timeshare

property schemes. Practical information and

support in b r i n g i n g c o m p l a i n t s a g a i n s t

traders in other EU countries can be found

through the n e t w o r k o f E u r o p e a n

cosumer centres (europa.eu.int/comm

/consumers/map.htm)

Only publicly funded health treatment is included

in this scheme for the moment and each country has

its own rules for public medical provision. In some,

treatment is free, in some you pay part of the cost,

in others you have to pay the full cost and then claim

a refund. So keep all your bills, prescriptions

and receipts.

Electricity

The euro

All Europe has 230 volt,

50 cycle alternating current.

Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and the

UK have square three-pin plugs but,

in general, all other EU countries

have two-pin plugs. These may vary but you should be

able to use your appliances, such as hairdryers and

shavers, anywhere. Simple adapter plugs can usually be

bought in airports and tourist resorts.

Travelling with pets

The euro is the currency of more than 300 million

people in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany,

Greece, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,

Portugal and Spain. The symbol for the euro is € .

A pet passport was introduced in 2004 making it

easier to travel with pets. All cats and dogs will need

one, and it will be accepted across the EU as proof

that a pet has received the anti-rabies vaccination.

However, Ireland, Malta, Sweden and the United

Kingdom also require proof that the vaccination has

been effective. The necessary tests must be carried

out at least six months prior to travel to Ireland,

Malta and the UK and 120 days beforehand in the

case of Sweden.

Medicines

Look for the flower

The euro is used also in Andorra, Monaco, San

Marino and Vatican City.

Look for the flower, the EU

eco-label, on everyday consumer goods

from detergents to textiles to help you

find greener products. For a list of eco-

labelled products, visit www.eco-

label.com You can now also use the flower to find an

environmentally friendly hotel, bed-and-breakfast or

youth hostel.

Take your prescription with you if you are carrying

prescribed medicines. Do not exceed the quantities

needed for your personal use during your trip, as

large quantities of drugs can create suspicion.

Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom are not

currently using the single currency. The 10 countries

that became EU members in 2004 are committed to

adopting the euro but none will be ready to do so

until at least 2007.

Time zones

An electronic microchip will be introduced by 2012 to

allow easy identification of the animal. In the

meantime, an identification tattoo can be used

except in Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom,

where a microchip is already required.

Bathing water

Some retail outlets in countries outside the euro

area accept payment in euro as well as the national

currency, but they are not legally obliged to do so.

Strict standards are set for bathing water throughout

the EU. Bathing water is regularly monitored and an

annual European Commission report shows bathing

water quality improving all the time.

Driving licence

Notes and coins valid everywhere

A valid driving licence from any EU country is valid

throughout the EU. In some countries, in addition to

carrying a valid driving licence, you will need to have

your vehicle registration document with you.

Euro notes are identical in all countries but each

country issues its own coins with one common side

and one side displaying a distinctive national

emblem. All notes and coins can be used anywhere

in the euro area. Gone are the cost and hassle of

changing money when moving from one country

to another.

If things go wrong

Minimum age limits for hiring a car are not fixed at

EU level and can vary between 20 and 23. There may

also be maximum age limits, which are generally

between 65 and 75.

The same number can be used to contact the

emergency services in any EU country: just dial

112 .

Directorate-General for Press and Communication, August 2005

An annual version of Travelling in Europe is

published as a folder, while an extended version is

published on the internet, which also provides links

to more detailed information on the subjects

covered: europa.eu.int/abc/travel

Photos

Signpost: Zefa. Other photos (from left to right): Roberto Trioschi; Corbis/Van Parys Media; Zefa; Emmanuel Trepant; Zefa.

NA-69-05-383-EN-P

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