Brexit: What changes in Germany from January 2021?

Although the UK actually left the EU in January 2020, the rest of the year was a transition period, which meant that on a day-to-day basis not much changed.

But after the end of the transition period on December 31st 2020, the differences will start to be felt.

Here's an outline of what is changing.

And for more information on key dates read our story here.

Passport queues

From January 1st 2021, British people no longer get to use the EU passport queue at ports, station and airports.

This probably won't have a huge impact on most people but the non-EU passport queue tends to be longer so if you are planning a very tight connection it might be wise to bear this in mind.

REMINDER: What Brits in Europe need to know about travel from January 2021

Freedom of movement ends

After December 31st 2020, British nationals can no longer take advantage of freedom of movement. They must be resident in Germany if they want to take advantage of the more generous provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement, which guarantees right to residency, work and life-long health cover.

And if they are resident in Germany at the end of the year, moving elsewhere in Europe after December 31st won't be as easy because onward freedom of movement comes to an end at the stroke of midnight. Sob.

READ ALSO: Brexit will throw up endless hurdless, but we'll be there to help

Documents for travel in 2021

German and UK authorities have also both said that if planning to travel in January 2021 (and possibly longer) Brits resident in Germany should take with them their proof of their residence.

That's because most British people in Germany do not have their residency document yet, which provides proof. So other documents to show this include an Anmeldung registration document, a rental contract, a work contract or a bill with your address on it.

If you are checked at the border, you can produce a document like this to show you live in Germany. However, there have been reports of authorities not accepting documents.

Adding to the complication is the UK travel ban in place over the mutant coronavirus strain. British people who are resident in Germany were told they could come back into Germany from January 1st but they must bring proof of their address and undergo testing and a quarantine period.

READ ALSO:

• 'We warned you': Call for urgent action after Britons living in EU denied entry  
• How Brits in the UK can get back to Germany in the new year
• These are the documents Brits in Germany should carry when travelling after December 31st   

Passports

From January 1st, British passports that have less than six months until their expiry date will no longer be valid for travel within the EU.

This is the same rule that is already in place for British travellers to several other countries, including the US, but will now also apply when travelling inside the EU. So anyone whose passport is nearing its expiry date will need to renew.

A British Airways flight lands at London Heathrow in October. Photo: DPA

Visas

Any British national who wants to stay in Germany for more than 90 days out of every 180 will from January 1st need a visa.

This applies to both people who want to move here and holidaymakers or second home owners who want to spend more than 90 days at a time here.

There are still some question marks over how things will operate for cross-border workers, for example. We'll let you know as soon as we have more information.

Residency

Britons who were living in Germany before December 31st 2020 have until June 30th 2021 to report their residence to their local foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) in order to be able to obtain the new residence document.

Some states have already started the registration process. For example, in Berlin, many people registered their details months ago and have been told the Ausländerbehörde will get back to them. So don't worry if you have submitted your details but haven't heard anything yet.

However, if you are unsure, contact your local foreigners authority to ask what the process is.

READ ALSO:

• Brexit: Germany passes law to guarantee rights of British residents
• Q&A - What does Brexit mean for my rights as a Brit living in Germany?

There is still time but authorities have urged people not to wait until the last minute to apply for the residency document.

The document costs the same as a German identity card: €37 for people over the age of 24 and €22.80 for those under this age.

If you apply after this date, your application will most likely be dealt with under the much stricter rules for third country nationals.

READ ALSO: What Britons in Germany need to know about the law that guarantees residency

Driving

The UK government previously advised Brits to change their driving licence to a German one by December 31st 2020.

But now the updated advice from the government says Brits can continue to use their British licence in Germany until July 1st 2021.

From this date they say you may need to take another test to exchange your licence, so it's best to change it before July 2021.

If you hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, if you haven't exchanged your licence before January 1st 2021, you may need to take a test.

To obtain a German licence, start by looking up the information on what documents you need on the local government website of the city you live in. In Berlin you need to book an appointment online at your Bürgeramt (administrative office) and attend a meeting.

Generally, you need to apply for the licence through the Führerscheinstelle at your local administrative office.

An International Driving Permit is not a suitable alternative to exchanging your licence, the UK government has advised.

If your UK driving licence is lost, stolen or expires, you will not be able to renew it with the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) while you are resident in Germany.

Healthcare 

If you are a visitor you will also need to have either health insurance or travel insurance that covers health costs when travelling in Germany as British people will no longer be covered by the European Health Insurance Card (what used to be known as the E111) so if you fall ill or have an accident while travelling you could end up facing hefty medical bills.

British residents living in Germany will need to register with the German healthcare system if they have not already.

Identity cards

From October 2021, the UK will no longer allow entry from EU citizens with an ID card; only a passport will be accepted. This won't affect many Brits as German ID cards are only issued to German citizens, but if you're planning a trip to the UK with a German partner or friend you need to remind them that they will need a passport to travel.

Pets

Probably the biggest post-Brexit travel complications are for four-legged travellers, since the EU Pet Passport scheme, which has allowed reasonably frictionless travel for dogs, cats and ferrets, will no longer apply.

An agreement of sorts has been reached on this, with the UK being granted 'listed' status. But travelling with a pet will still be more complicated and require different paperwork - full details here.