Yes, it is symbolism ... but I want one! ??

It only covers emergency treatment and we have reciprocal arrangements with non-EU countries too.

And don't forget Madeira!

EHIC was payed by the country of origin- in our case, the UK. Will the UK agree to pay for British holiday makers and expats in Portugal? Really?

Just because a country is part of the EU doesn't mean they have no autonomy. Apparently it would involve the Portuguese government making agreements with both state and private hospitals. It wouldn't be free healthcare but would be the equivalent of an EHIC.

jura2 Sun 23-Feb-20 16:56:04

'Portugal is one country- I am quite sure the majority of British travellers do not visit Portugal.'
--

Is that the best you can offer?

I asked because I thought you might have some insight or at least hold an opinion as to whether it was feasible or not. The Swiss have certainly come up against the EU when trying to enact what the people vote for and that is why I have an opinion Portugal would struggle to do anything unilaterally but others disagree.

You don't need a visa to visit Turkey now as from 1st March.

How interesting.

I've been to Portugal. Many times. Beautiful country.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see other countries following suit

Lots of money in tourism

2.82 million pa, the 6th popular world destination
In order:

Spain
France
Italy
USA
Republic of Ireland
Portugal

I do not know how many UK travellers visit Portugal annually, but they do make up a large proportion of Portugal's visitors, more than any other nationality.

Portugal is one country- I am quite sure the majority of British travellers do not visit Portugal.

Jura you say:-

'So you will have to queue for ages whilst some of us wizz through, and pay for visas, and so much more- you will love it, I'm sure'
-

'The other, as urmstongran says is about 'identity' and nothing else. Long queues, expensive visas and travel health insurance, if you can get it - many will probably never be able to travel again as they can't get it (travel insurance so far was accessible to almost all as the EHIC card covered the emergency part'
-

Jura

The EU 7 year Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), and the £65 - £70 million black hole left by the UK leaving the EU cannot as yet be agreed by the Member States in the EU. This is an issue for Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands and Austria, known as the ' frugal' States who are not prepared to lose their rebates and the others such as Germany and France were not prepared to pay more, hence the EU cannot ' as yet' come to agreement.

The EU are not exactly ' as one' at the moment.

Re travelling, queues and health insurance do you think the proposal by Portugal to keep close ties with UK visitors will work?? I am of the opinion the EU will not allow Portugal to go it alone but others on that thread say it will up to Portugal alone to decide and there will be no interference from the EU.

www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/feb/18/portugal-uk-tourists-post-brexit-healthcare-ehic

Extract:-
Portugal is considering offering British tourists subsidised post-Brexit healthcare in an effort to retain their custom in the Algarve, Lisbon and beyond.

It is one of several novel measures being considered by the Portuguese government in an effort to minimise the disruption of Brexit to its economy.

Rita Marques, the tourism minister, said the country was examining a unilateral offer to ensure cover offered by the European health insurance card (Ehic), the EU reciprocal system, can continue if a deal is not struck on it during this year’s trade talks.

Portugal plans special lanes for Britons in airports after Brexit

She said: “The Portuguese and the UK are the oldest allies in the world and no matter what happens the Portuguese will stand by the British. The British traveller is very important to us.

“We are looking to guarantee this health cover next year. We are currently looking at how often it is used and if it is making a positive impact. We are in the process of testing this and the other ideas right now.

“If these are issues that are important to the British traveller, then we have to go for it. We are trying to minimise the disruption to British tourism.”

I don't suppose they did, which is why it's puzzling that Johnson and Patel have posed with them.

I'd rather read about the future of Northern Ireland.

There’s never been a scenario of no queues at all, even with EU passports.Shall we wait and see ( never popular on GN)
What actually transpires at airports before getting worked up
About a slightly longer queue than at present.
I doubt anyone voted to leave the EU because it meant a different passport, or didn’t vote to leave the EU because it may mean a longer queue.

… and a load of Greek entry stamps, which I felt made me seem a bit exotic.

My first passport had "Arbeitsbestätigung" stamped in it.

I've decided I want to go back to proper passports with pages and stamps none of this new fangled electronic scanning stuff. Bring Back British Passport Stamps. And b****r the queues at passport control we're British we can take it!!!

Passport wise, I never felt constrained by an EU passport either....but nor do I feel constrained by owning a British passport.It’s just common sense and legally necessary to have a new passport that doesn’t have EU emblazoned on it, since we have now left.

I honestly don't understand how the colour of a passport affects one's identity. I've always felt British and never constrained by the EU. I need a new passport soon and I can't honestly say that it will make any difference to my feelings of identity.

I know this is off topic, but what does the little "GB" mean?

Ethel ''What is the difference in a burgundy one or a blue one''

the first allowed you to travel to the whole of a Continent unhindered, to spend 3 months in any of the participating countries to look for work, to have emergency healthcare in those countries, and ensure your pension rights are secure, and so much more.

The other, as urmstongran says is about 'identity' and nothing else. Long queues, expensive visas and travel health insurance, if you can get it - many will probably never be able to travel again as they can't get it (travel insurance so far was accessible to almost all as the EHIC card covered the emergency part) - difficulty with driving licences (pre EU, people going to live in another country had to retake the licence in full- as I had to in 1971 in London) ... and rental cars, and so much more hassle.

What does 'identity' mean really- if it does give you more, but instead takes so much away??? It's nonsense.

It’s about our identity jura2. Separate now. Independent.
Of Europe but no longer part of the E.U.
??
#lovinit

joyous about the passport being made by a Dutch/French company in Poland? What a Europhile you are

I’m not smug vegansrock. Joyous describes it better!
?

Will have to go and check Maw- I thought when we renewed it was for a 20 year one. Maybe it was my other passport. But I am very glad mine is Burgundy and with European Union on it ...The other one is bright red . Who cares about the colour though - a passport's worth is about the freedoms it affords you and the doors it opens. The new blue passport won't offer very much at all, will it- apart from some misplaced and useless nationalist 'pride'.

I hope those feeling smug realise that the new passports are made in Poland by a Franco-Dutch company under EU rules?