Before you go. Foreign Office travel advice will help make sure you're prepared for your holiday before you go. Check the country you are visiting at www.fco.gov.uk /travel/countryadvice.asp, or call the Foreign Office on 020 7008 0232/0233
Medical.
To get free emergency medical care in all European Union countries (plus
Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), make sure you fill in E111 form and take
it with you. These are available free from post offices and travel agents in
this country.
To cover yourself against other risks, you need to buy
comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for non-emergency medical
care.
Passport. Check that your passport will not expire before the date you return.
Customs. On arrival, take the blue EU channel through customs. You should also go to the special EU passport control desks for faster processing.
Compensation. EU laws ensure Air Passengers get proper compensation for overbooking at an EU airport or accidents when flying on an EU registered airline. They also protect your rights if you've bought a packaged holiday in the EU. For more on your rights see - europa.eu.int/comm/transport/themes/air/english/pass_prot_cons/index.htm
UK Driving Licence. Your driving licence is valid in all EU countries until its expiry date.
Emergency Services. If you need to contact the emergency services in any EU country, simply call 112
The Euro. If you're visiting one of the euro-zone countries, make sure you take euros with you. Euro notes and coins have now completely replaced the old national currency in these countries, which include some of the most popular destinations for UK travellers.
Travelling with the Euro. You can use any euro anywhere in the euro area. For example, euro notes from Ireland can be used in shops and restaurants in Spain, or in any of the other euro area countries. When you return to the UK save on commission charges and keep any left over euro for you next visit to anywhere in the euro zone.
Living, Working, Studying and Retiring...........You have the right to travel, work, live and retire visa-free throughout the EU. You can live in any EU country, and vote, take out a mortgage or open a bank account while you are there
Students. Students can take advantage of EU educational, training or youth programmes and mutual recognition of professional and vocational qualifications between EU partners now makes it easier to find a job in another EU country. Find out more about studying and working abroad at citizens.eu.int.
Pensions. You can also draw your pension in another EU member state - 200,000 UK pensioners already do.