We’re currently on a short tour around the Netherlands, France and Belgium with our wee Westie called Hamish. Now that we are out of the EU, it wasn’t as easy as on previous visits to the continent.
Firstly, instead of a pet passport which was valid for a number of years, we have had to fork out £120 for a Pet Health Certificate which consists of pages of small print. What’s more, it’s only valid for one trip. Then, when we arrived at the ferry port in IJmuiden, getting through the EU border was a whole lot slower. We had to explain why we were visiting, where we were going, and then have our passports stamped. Luckily most of our fellow passengers were from EU countries so the non-EU queue was thankfully small.
Thirdly, we have to pay roaming charges to use our mobile phones. Another added cost thanks to Brexit.
Fortunately, once in the EU we have been able to travel seamlessly across borders without stopping, thanks to the Schengen zone.
With so much news back in the UK about the economic cost of Brexit, we look forwards to a day when an independent Scotland joins the EU; and we can get our rights and freedom of movement back. Oh, and one more thing, the supermarkets in Europe don’t have empty shelves.