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Chris Stacey is head of sales at Halsbury Travel, a specialist school tour operator founded in 1986 by a former teacher. www.halsbury.com for at least three months after the day you plan to leave. They’re the rules. But we would suggest that it'd be worth ensuring you have at least six months left on your passport, as this seems to be the preference of some border guards and could make your trip that bit smoother. 6 You need to get a GHIC If you don’t currently have a valid European health insurance card (EHIC), you need to get yourself the new global version – the GHIC. The great news is that this is available for free from the NHS website, so you can access healthcare at the same rate as locals while on your trip. We wouldn’t travel without it and every single member of your group should ensure that they’ve arranged this prior to travel. 7 And suitable travel insurance is essential The GHIC will ensure you pay the rate locals would if you require healthcare in an EU country, but this may still involve some cost, so it’s really important you take out adequate travel insurance to cover this. Your school may already have this in place, but if not, your school tour operator should be able to arrange everything for you. 8 You should also check roaming costs Brexit also meant the end of guaranteed free mobile roaming when visiting the EU, Norway and Iceland, so you should definitely check with your network regarding data charges. Many networks offer packages that allow you to use your data as though you were in the UK while abroad for a small fee. Having said that, your network is now required by law to check whether you wish to continue spending on roaming charges once you hit £45, so we won’t be seeing a return to the days of astronomical phone bills after trips abroad! 9 EU destinations are still popular with schools... Yes, there have been a few changes to school trips to the EU since Brexit, but with a little forward planning and the support of a specialist school tour operator, they are certainly nothing that you need to worry about. School trips to the EU are just as popular as ever and still offer so many unforgettable experiences for you and your students to enjoy! 10 ...but it’s OK to be more ambitious Perhaps you’d like to go a bit further afield but you’re worried that with the cost of living crisis, families won’t be able to afford a long-haul school trip? Well, don’t forget that fundraising for a school trip can be an important part of the experience, giving students the opportunity to develop their independence and responsibility, while also giving them more ownership over the school trip experience. Before you travel, make sure everyone in your group has... A valid passport An EHIC or GHIC Appropriate travel insurance Noted roaming charges with their network Found out if they need a visa (non-UK citizens only) Checked their right to remain status is tied to their most up-to-date travel document (EU citizens only) Not brought a packed lunch containing dairy or meat products! YOUR I NTERNAT I ONAL CHECKL I ST I NT ERNA T I ONA L TRAV E L www.teachwire.net/school-trips | 55