Will I be able to get into France without medical insurance?

Signal as much as Simon Calder’s free journey e-mail for knowledgeable recommendation and money-saving reductions

Get Simon Calder’s Journey e-mail

Get Simon Calder’s Journey e-mail

Q You’ve been writing about France demanding proof of medical insurance coverage. Is the GHIC deemed enough, are you aware?

John D

A Simply after I thought I had mastered the intricacies of the EU entry-exit system – which takes impact on Sunday 12 October – there may be one other bizarre flip of occasions. Readers who’ve been following the saga carefully will know that Schengen space nations are gearing as much as fingerprint and {photograph} UK guests in step with our want to turn into “third-country nationals” and subsequently topic to the upcoming entry-exit system (EES).

I found yesterday, throughout a Eurostar occasion exhibiting off the EES services at London St Pancras Worldwide, that the French Police aux Frontieres have insisted on asking a collection of questions of intending guests. Within the station the place trains depart for Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, the entry-exit system kiosks within the station are programmed to ask if the traveller has lodging booked, enough monetary assets, a ticket house – and medical insurance coverage.

The final of those is a France-only requirement; not one of the different 28 members of the Schengen space calls for proof of insurance coverage. The rule applies even if you’re travelling nonstop via France to Brussels.

As soon as the entry-exit system begins rolling out, I predict {that a} majority of British travellers will meet the necessities. Amongst those that don’t have, for instance, a return ticket or medical insurance coverage, I additional predict that they may fib. “Sure” is the one reply that doesn’t result in passengers being extra carefully scrutinised. However passengers tempted to reply “sure” untruthfully to any of the questions are warned: “Your solutions are binding, it’s possible you’ll be requested to offer proof.”

What constitutes enough proof of medical insurance coverage? Positively not the UK world medical insurance card (GHIC), which gives reciprocal well being look after British travellers to the European Union and Switzerland. The French authorities specify: “The third-country nationwide should be in possession of an insurance coverage certificates overlaying all medical, hospital and death-related bills which may be incurred in the course of the entirety of the keep in France, together with the price of repatriation for medical causes.” GHIC doesn’t enable for repatriation, and neither does it cowl “death-related bills”.

open picture in gallery

Q With the brand new EU entry-exit system beginning up in a simply over two weeks, are you able to advocate stress-free, comparatively quiet airports within the EU to undergo the once-only fingerprinting/facial biometric course of, with no lengthy queues – which might additionally present a late-autumn three-night break in a metropolis of curiosity? It will be good to get the method finished earlier than travelling to extra widespread places within the close to future.

John C

A Congratulations for developing with the very best entry-exit system (EES) query of the week, in what’s a crowded area. With the roll-out of the EU’s digital border scheme set to start on Sunday 12 October, it’s pure to really feel involved in regards to the further purple tape that can be concerned within the transition part. For UK passport holders, the present course of – manually checking and stamping every passport – will proceed. The EES ingredient can be an extra layer of paperwork. Each “third-country nationwide” (as we opted to turn into) should register their fingerprints and facial biometric the primary time they cross a Schengen space frontier. As soon as you might be registered on the European Union database, subsequent entries and exits ought to be simpler as solely the facial biometric can be checked. So getting the registration course of out of the best way whereas issues are quiet could possibly be a wise transfer.

To realize this as a part of an autumn break you would wish to know that the frontier submit you’ve got chosen can be implementing the entry-exit system from day one. My analysis exhibits that not less than three nations – Estonia, the Czech Republic and Luxembourg – will deploy the know-how at their airports from the opening day. Keep in mind, although, that frontier officers are in a position to divert as much as 90 per cent of passengers away from the EES gear if queues construct up. So I don’t advise Prague: the airport on the Czech capital may see traces rising and arrivals waved via, which might negate the aim of the journey. So I recommend you select between Tallinn and Luxembourg Metropolis. In late autumn, the latter can be hotter – and the Grand Duchy additionally provides the distinctive good thing about free public transport.

open picture in gallery

Q Do you assume it’s secure to journey alone as a feminine to Tanzania?

Amelia T

A Let me begin with the dangers that confront any traveller, no matter gender, in Tanzania. The best concern is highway security: the loss of life toll relative to inhabitants is six instances larger in Tanzania than it’s within the UK. Since highway journey is the principle technique to get across the nation, strive to make sure that you’ve got a dependable, skilled driver.

The International Workplace journey recommendation additionally warns of “a threat of armed crime, together with armed theft, all through Tanzania”. It says “locations frequented by vacationers and international residents” are notably harmful, which is worrying – and specifies key areas of Dar es Salaam the place robberies may occur. Throughout on the island of Zanzibar, which for a lot of vacationers is the spotlight of a vacation in Tanzania, “incidents have taken place in Stone City [the capital] and at accommodations and on widespread vacationer seashores all through the island”. In the meantime the Australian authorities warns its residents: “Take further care in and round Arusha in northern Tanzania. Armed robberies, carjackings and residential invasions have occurred.”

You could be postpone by such strident and alarmist warnings. However many people relish the possibility to journey in Tanzania: from the Ngorongoro crater (the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera) to Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest mountain). Nearly all of Tanzania’s practically 70 million folks will welcome you and do their finest to take care of you. To be doubly certain, you would organise a visit via a specialist UK company which can have dependable companions in Tanzania.

About gender: as a male traveller, I’ve been fortunate sufficient to take pleasure in Tanzania with none points. For solo ladies, although, there are further dangers. The International Workplace warns of “verbal harassment” of feminine vacationers, however sexual violence is a much more critical menace. The hazard could be decreased by taking the plain precautions: select locations to stick with good safety; don’t exit alone at evening; and, above all, take recommendation from native ladies. Having stated all of that, I consider {that a} go to to Tanzania could be secure sufficient for you – and I hope that you just really feel in a position to expertise the nation.

open picture in gallery

Q We have booked a brief bundle to Vienna on 15 December for 4 nights. With a lot to see – palaces, museums, wonderful espresso homes and markets – it is extra about setting priorities throughout 4 full days with a combination of all of the above. I’ve sights on the Museum Quarter. Apart from that, now we have an open canvas. Your solutions?

Pauline and Les Plant

A Visiting the Austrian capital within the deep midwinter ought to be a dream journey. Vienna takes Christmas significantly, with lights and color all over the place – and no fewer than seven festive markets. My favorite is the large one on the Rathaus (Metropolis Corridor). Culturally and architecturally, Vienna is outstanding for possessing a lot grandeur from its imperial previous. 4 days ought to be sufficient to do it justice. I spent a protracted weekend there final December, and these have been the highlights.

Among the many museums, the standout to me is the Higher Belvedere – house to Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss and far else. On a transparent day the view from right here throughout the town is magnificent. Two different beautiful constructions: the Nationwide Library, with its elaborate ceiling, and St Peter’s Church – a research in 18th-century Baroque brilliance, dripping with ornament. You must guide forward for the Spanish Using College. Sure, this equestrian exhibition is touristy, however nonetheless a formidable spectacle.

With temperatures more likely to be under freezing throughout your keep, it’s vital to have loads of interesting locations to eat and drink. The Cafe Central is an archetype of imperial indulgence; attempt to guide forward to take pleasure in an honest lunch right here. I choose it to the Resort Sacher, house of the Sacher-Torte chocolate cake. Altogether much less touristy is the Cafe Pruckel on the sting of the town centre, the place you’ll be able to dine properly at an honest value. From right here you would board one of many trams circling across the Ring, marking the previous metropolis partitions. For a ultimate meal, I like to recommend Melker Stiftskeller – a convivial cellar restaurant courting from 1629. It’s already promoting out quick for December, so guide swiftly.

E-mail your query to s@hols.television or tweet @SimonCalder