January Check-Up

Our passports may not have had the workout we would’ve liked in 2020 due to coronavirus travel restrictions, but once the rules are lifted, many of us will be dashing to airports.

EU countries are top destinations for Brits travelling abroad, but you don’t want to turn up for that all-important flight only to be turned away from boarding at the very last minute.

Now you will need at least six months left on your passport before it’s due to expire, and it will also need to be less than 10 years old, or you might not be able to travel.

There is an exception, though – the new rules don’t apply when travelling to Ireland.

Read more on travelling to the EU here.

Your European Health Insurance card (EHIC) gives you the right to free emergency healthcare during a temporary stay in another EU country (plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland).

All EHIC cards issued before the end of 2020 will be valid until their expiry date (you can find this on the front of your card), and the government is planning to launch a new scheme called the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), but it’s not yet known when this will become reality.

In the meantime, the government’s advice is to take out travel insurance – especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

Read more on the EHIC changes here.

If you want your furry friend to come on holiday with you to the EU or Northern Ireland, then you may want to note that the current EU pet passport issued in the UK will not be valid for travel. Instead, pet cats, dogs (including assistance dogs) and ferrets will need an animal health certificate (AHC).

To get an AHC, you’ll need to book in a visit to the vet… your pet needs to be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, and the certificate will need to be signed by a qualified vet. You’ll also need to make sure you leave enough time between your vet appointment and your travel date, as you will need to get the certificate 10 days before you travel.

Find out more about the pet travel after Brexit here.

There’s no denying it, a phone is a big part of our lives every single day, even on holiday.

But before you take off, you might want to check that you won’t get a nasty mobile phone bill when you return.

Free roaming is not guaranteed in the EU post-Brexit, so get in touch with your provider before you go to see if there will be any additional charges.

You can read more on roaming charges after Brexit here.

There are still lots of questions remaining post-transition, and though there may be answers out there, for many topics we’re still scratching our heads.

Bottom line? It might be a good time to take a look at your personal finances and make sure everything is as it should be.

The first thing to do is add up all the money you have coming in and going out, so you know where your finances stand. Then, little things like checking you’re in the right council tax band and changing your bank account to one that offers better interest rates could help in the long run.

And there you have it – our top tips for making sure you’re not hit with any unexpected personal financial hits now that we’re no longer in the EU.

It’s always worth keeping an eye on the government’s Brexit webpage, as there could be more changes in the future…

Kate says: “I’ve been working within the financial advice sector for over 11 years, and I first joined MoneyPlus in 2014 as an Advisor; I’d speak to a number of customers each day, understanding their situation and providing them with best advice on how to regain financial control. I’ve always been very passionate about our customers, and ensuring we found a solution that was right for them.

My current role as Head of Operations at MoneyPlus is incredibly rewarding, as we continue to help thousands and thousands of customers to live better every day.

Hearing how happy our customers are at the end of a call, after we’ve provided them with expert advice that helps them get their finances back on the right track, is incredibly rewarding. In fact, my day always begins with looking at the new reviews left for us on reviews.co.uk – it makes me so proud of my team!

Customer service is at the heart of everything we do, and I’ve never known a company to put so much emphasis and training behind treating our customers like people, not numbers. It’s what sets us apart from the rest. At MoneyPlus, we’re all about being human – it’s even one of our core company values!

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve seen an increase in the amount of people needing our financial services, in addition to ensuring our existing customers feel supported in unsettling times. But we’re always here to provide a friendly conversation and expert advice.

We have some big things coming soon for our MoneyPlus Advice customers, and we’re really excited to get started in making this year so much better than the last!

As always thank you for giving us the opportunity to help you live better.