Getting there

By road

Driving licence

A valid driving licence issued in an EU country is valid throughout the EU.

In some countries, in addition to carrying a valid driving licence, you will need to have your vehicle registration document with you.

Remember that in most countries the minimum age for driving a car is 18. Minimum age limits for hiring a car are not fixed at EU level and generally vary between 20 and 23. There may also be maximum age limits and these can vary between 65 and 75.

Motor insurance

Wherever you are travelling in the EU, your car insurance policy will automatically provide the minimum cover (third party liability) required by law. This also applies to Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. If you have comprehensive insurance at home, check that the cover extends to travelling in other countries

A green card is not obligatory when travelling in the EU but it serves as internationally recognised proof of insurance and it makes it easier to settle claims arising from an accident. If you do not take a green card with you, you should carry your certificate of insurance.

The green card system currently covers 44 countries and is managed by an association of insurers. Their website gives further details about the green card system and its objectives.

Your insurer can give you a European accident statement form, a standard document that makes it easier to make a declaration on the spot if you have an accident in another country.

EU rules make it easier for road accident victims outside their own country to get speedy compensation. This applies not only to accidents that happen in the EU but also to accidents between two EU parties in a country outside the EU belonging to the green card system.

Further information on motor insurance rules in the EU.

Driving safely

In all EU countries seat belts must now be worn in all vehicles, including tourist coaches and minibuses. Children must also have appropriate child restraints in cars and lorries and, where possible, in other vehicles as well.

Remember to drive on the left side of the road in Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom and remember that in some countries, such as Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Portugal, you normally have to give way to traffic coming from your right.

Using a mobile phone while driving greatly increases the risk of an accident and it is either explicitly or implicitly forbidden in all EU countries.

Although in the majority of EU countries the maximum permitted blood alcohol level is 0.5mg/ml, in others it varies between 0.2 mg/ml and 0.8 mg/ml and some countries do not allow any alcohol in the blood while driving. The European Commission has recommended that all countries adopt a standard authorised level not exceeding 0.5mg/ml.

Speed limits

The speed limit on motorways is generally 110, 120 or 130 km/h and the limit in built-up areas is 50 or sometimes 60 km/h. Keep an eye on the signs to make sure of the exact limits and any special conditions that apply.

Below is a table giving general maximum speed limits for cars in January 2009. In some countries limits are reduced in bad weather conditions or for newly qualified drivers.

Speed limits for cars in km/h:

		In built-up areas	Outside built-up areas	Motorways
	Austria	50	100	130
	Belgium	50	90	120
	Bulgaria	50	90	130
	Cyprus	50	80	100
	Czech Republic	50	90	130
	Germany	50	100	130 (*)
	Denmark	50	80	110 or 130
	Spain	50	90 or 100	120
	Estonia	50	90 or 100 or 110	-
	France	50	90 or 110	130
	Finland	50	80 or 100	100 or 120
	United Kingdom	48 (30 miles)	96 or 112 (60 or 70 miles)	112 (70 miles)
	Greece	50	90 or 110	130
	Hungary	50	90 or 110	130
	Italy	50	90 or 110	130
	Ireland	50	80 or 100	120
	Luxembourg	50	90	130
	Lithuania	50	90	110 or 130
	Latvia	50	90	-
	Malta	50	80	-
	The Netherlands	50	80 or 100	120
	Portugal	50	90 or 100	120
	Poland	50 or 60	90 or 100	130
	Romania	50	90 or 100	130
	Sweden	50	70	110
	Slovakia	60	90	130
	Slovenia	50	90 or 100	130

*In Germany 130 km/h is a recommended maximum

Tolls

There are toll roads in many countries including Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom. Payment of tolls in some countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia) is by “vignette” or toll label which has to be affixed to the windscreen.

By air

Creating a single European market in air transport has meant lower fares and a wider choice of carriers and services for passengers. The EU has also created a set of rights to ensure air passengers are treated fairly.

Air passenger rights

As an air passenger you have certain rights when it comes to information about flights and reservations, damage to baggage, delays and cancellations, denied boarding, compensation in the case of accident or difficulties with package holidays. These rights apply to scheduled and chartered flights, both domestic and international, from an EU airport or to an EU airport from one outside the EU, when operated by an EU airline.

The EU also maintains a list of airlines banned from operating in the EU and using EU airports. For disabled passengers and the elderly, rules have been introduced to ensure free and effective assistance on aircraft and in EU airports as well as fair and non-discriminatory treatment. Travellers will also now be better able to compare prices of air travel with new rules to ensure that the price given includes all taxes, fees and surcharges.

A leaflet summarises air passenger rights. If you have a complaint, contact the airline or organiser of the package holiday. If they fail to fulfil their obligations then you should complain to your national enforcement national enforcement body for questions relating to denied boarding, cancellation or long delays on flights. If you have a complaint about your rights as a disabled or elderly passenger contact these national enforcement bodies and for other issues such as lost baggage contact your European Consumer Centre .

Security

In order to ensure a high level of security throughout the EU, common rules and standards have been laid down on such things as screening of passengers, cabin and hold baggage and aircraft security checks.

There is an agreed EU list of items that are not allowed in the cabin on flights from EU airports and a list of articles banned from the baggage hold.

Regulations have been introduced concerning the liquids that passengers can carry past airport screening points in their hand baggage. The liquids (including creams, gels, toothpaste, sprays, perfume) must be in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100ml. They must be packed into one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of not more than one litre capacity. Exceptions are made for medicines and baby food needed during a trip. Passengers are allowed liquids such as drinks and perfumes bought in the departure area.

Limits on the size of cabin baggage are set by the airlines so check with your carrier before you go.

By rail

The EU has 210 000 km of railways with extensive international passenger services. There are 5 000 km of high-speed lines in several countries with trains reaching speeds of up to 320 km/h and the network is being extended with new links in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. Huge financial support is going into trans-European projects such as enhancing the rail links from Lyon to Hungary’s border with the Ukraine, from Berlin to Palermo, from Paris to Bratislava and from Warsaw to Helsinki.

Rail transport is set to become more competitive and attractive following EU action to allow the opening up of international rail passenger services to competition from the beginning of 2010. Rail passengers’ rights have also been reinforced and improved with new rules which will come into effect on 3 December 2009 covering better information, rights in the event of delay, missed connections and cancellations and assistance for the disabled and the elderly. One way to explore Europe by rail is to get an international rail pass and set off to discover the places and countries that attract you. Seven European high-speed rail operators have joined forces under the name Railteam to make travel across the European rail network as seamless as possible.

By water

There are many key sea routes between EU countries offering regular, high-quality services as an alternative to, or in combination with, road, air or rail. There are also 37 000 km of inland waterways in 20 of the 27 EU countries. Enjoy a sea or river cruise or use the water as a practical and pleasant way of getting around.

The EU has been at the forefront of improving maritime safety and promoting high-quality standards with rules to protect passengers and crew sailing on ferries to and from European ports as well as on passenger ships sailing within the EU.

Metro

If you plan to use the metro, familiarise yourself with maps of European city metros.

Biking and hiking

For biking enthusiasts EuroVelo run by the European Cyclists’ Federation is developing 12 long distance cycle routes across Europe or you could try the Iron Curtain Trail bicycle route. This is a 6800 km cycle track along the length of the former border running from the Barents Sea to the Black Sea. The European Ramblers’ Association has information on walking in Europe and on 11 long-distance paths extending across Europe.