If you are a British driver planning a trip to France, Spain, Portugal or anywhere else in Europe this year, there is more pre-travel preparation required than ever before. Post-Brexit rules, French low emission zones, Portuguese electronic tolls and new EU entry requirements mean the days of simply jumping in the car and driving to the ferry are over. This guide covers everything you need to sort before you leave home.
1Your Crit'Air Sticker (France)
If your route takes you through any French city with a population over 150,000 — which includes virtually every major route to Spain, Portugal, the south of France, the Alps, or Italy — you need a Crit'Air anti-pollution sticker displayed on your windscreen.
Following a dramatic few weeks in spring 2026 where the French parliament voted to scrap the zones only for the Constitutional Council to reinstate them on 21 May, the Crit'Air scheme is confirmed as staying. Fines start at €68 for cars and €135 for vans. Automated ANPR cameras enforce the rules — you will not be warned first, the fine simply arrives at your UK address by post.
The sticker is lifetime valid and costs £19.95 through Europermits, with a digital certificate by email and physical sticker posted to your UK address.
2Portugal Toll Roads
If your route extends to Portugal, be aware that Portugal operates two completely different toll systems — traditional booths where you stop and pay, and fully electronic motorways where cameras photograph your plate and there are no booths at all.
Most UK drivers are caught out by the electronic system because there is nothing obvious to indicate you are being charged. Register your UK plate and a credit card at portugaltolls.com (EasyToll) before you travel — it costs €1 to register and €0.32 per journey, and handles all electronic tolls automatically for 30 days.
If you forget to register, you can pay retrospectively at pagamentodeportagens.pt — journeys typically appear on the system within a few days and foreign-registered vehicles have up to 30 working days to pay with at least one major operator.
3Your European Driving Kit
Several items are legally required when driving in France and other European countries. UK right-hand drive vehicles also need headlamp beam deflectors to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers — something many British drivers forget entirely.
The legally required items for driving in France:
- Warning triangle — must be placed behind the vehicle in a breakdown
- High-visibility jacket — must be worn when exiting the vehicle on a French road
- Headlamp beam deflectors — required for UK right-hand drive vehicles
- First aid kit — recommended and required in several other European countries
- UK identifier — GB sticker or UK plate required post-Brexit
Rather than buying these individually, the AA Euro Travel Kit covers everything in one purchase. It is Amazon's Choice with over 1,000 sales per month and includes the warning triangle, high-vis vest, first aid kit, headlamp deflectors and a UK plate.
4Travel Insurance
Since Brexit, your GHIC card covers some NHS-equivalent treatment in EU countries but is not a substitute for proper travel insurance. Comprehensive cover including medical evacuation, repatriation and trip cancellation is essential for any European driving trip.
For British drivers in the 55+ age group — the majority of people making longer European driving trips — specialist providers offer significantly better value than mainstream insurers, particularly if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. Staysure specialises in travel insurance for the over-50s and offers single trip, annual multi-trip and long-stay policies with specialist medical cover.
5European Breakdown Cover
A breakdown in France, Spain or Portugal without European breakdown cover can mean thousands of euros in recovery and repatriation costs. Standard UK breakdown cover does not automatically include Europe — check your existing policy before you travel and add European cover if needed. Both the AA and RAC offer European breakdown add-ons worth considering before any long drive south.
6Motorway Vignettes
If your route takes you beyond France, several European countries require a motorway vignette — a prepaid pass for using the motorway network:
| Country | Cost | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | CHF 40 (~£35) | 14 months from December | Required for Swiss route to northern Italy |
| Austria | ~€9.90 | 10 days | Essential for skiing trips and routes to Croatia/Slovenia |
| Hungary | ~€15 | 10 days | Relevant for Eastern European routes |
| Czech Republic | ~€15 | 10 days | Digital vignette, available online before travel |
All of the above are available to purchase online before you travel — do not leave it until you reach the border.
7ETIAS — Coming Q4 2026
From late 2026, British citizens will need an ETIAS travel authorisation before entering any of 30 European countries. It is not a visa — it is a quick online pre-screening costing €20 and valid for three years.
ETIAS is not yet available to apply for. The portal opens in Q4 2026. Any website claiming to process ETIAS applications now is fraudulent.
8Other Essentials
- Driving licence — your UK licence is valid throughout Europe but carry it at all times
- V5C registration document — you must carry this when driving abroad
- Insurance certificate — confirm your policy covers European driving; some policies do not automatically include it
- Passport validity — must be valid for the duration of your stay
Your Pre-Travel Checklist
Before you leave:
- ✅Crit'Air sticker ordered and received
- ✅EasyToll registered if driving to Portugal
- ✅European driving kit in the car
- ✅Travel insurance purchased
- ✅European breakdown cover confirmed
- ✅Vignettes purchased if passing through Switzerland, Austria etc
- ✅V5C, driving licence and insurance certificate packed
- ✅Passport valid for full trip duration
- ⬜ETIAS — not required until late 2026
Order Your Crit'Air Sticker Today
Don't let an avoidable €68 fine spoil your trip. Order your Crit'Air sticker through Euro Permits — £19.95 delivered to your UK address, digital certificate by email within 48 hours.
Order Now — £19.95 →Last Updated: June 2026