Travelling in Europe - 2010.pdf - Travel Guides- Przewodniki - sashakiev500

Travelling

2010

European Union

in Europe

Travelling in Europe 2010

The European Union stretches over the continent of Europe from Lapland

in the north to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the west coast of Ireland to

the shores of Cyprus: a rich tapestry of landscapes from rocky coastlines to

sandy beaches, from fertile pastureland to arid plains, from lakes and forests

to arctic tundra.

The peoples of Europe with their diverse traditions, cultures and languages

make up over 7 % of the world’s population. Their historic heritage is charted in

prehistoric cave paintings, Greek and Roman antiquities, Moorish architecture,

medieval fortresses, renaissance palaces and baroque churches. The modern

Europe too attracts the traveller with its vibrant cities, colourful cultural

festivities, winter and summer sports, and varied cuisine.

Europeans love to travel and the removal of most passport and baggage

formalities has made travelling much easier. Sixteen EU countries share the

same currency, the euro, which makes price comparisons easy and removes

the cost and inconvenience of changing money. The creation of a single

market now approaching 500 million people has brought wider choice and

lower prices. In fact most Europeans ind it as easy to travel within the EU as to

travel within their home country.

Money

The euro

The euro is the legal tender for around 329 million people in 16 EU countries:

Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy,

Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

EU countries not using the euro are Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark,

Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Sweden and the United

Kingdom. The eight countries that have entered the EU since 2004 are commit-

ted to adopting the euro when they are ready.

The symbol for the euro is €. The euro notes are identical in all countries but

each country issues its own coins with one common side and one side display-

ing a distinctive national emblem. All the notes and coins can be used in all EU

countries that have adopted the euro, including many of their overseas entities,

such as the Azores, the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, French Guiana, Gua-

deloupe, Madeira, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion and Saint Pierre and Miquelon.

Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City have adopted the euro as their national

currency, which also gives them the right to issue a certain number of euro

coins with their own national sides. A number of countries and territories use

the euro as their de facto currency, such as Andorra, Kosovo and Montenegro.

In European countries outside the euro area, many hotels, shops and restau-

rants, particularly in tourist areas, accept payment in euro as well as the national

currency, although they are not legally obliged to do so.

Cash and cards

Thanks to EU rules, withdrawing euro from a cash machine costs you the same

anywhere in the EU as it does in your own country from a cash machine that

does not belong to your bank. The transaction fee for making a debit or credit

card payment in the EU in euro is the same as in your own country. Charges

may of course difer between banks.

Coming from outside

If you enter the EU from outside, you can bring with you goods free of VAT and

excise duties for personal use within the limits set out below. The same applies

if you come from the Canary Islands, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar or other

territories where EU rules on VAT and excise do not apply.

Alcoholic drinks

1 litre of spirits over 22 % vol. or

2 litres of fortiied or sparkling wine

4 litres of still wine

16 litres of beer

Tobacco products

There is a higher or lower limit depending on the country you are visiting and a

country may choose to only apply the lower limits to land and sea travellers.

Higher limit

Lower limit

200 cigarettes

40 cigarettes

100 cigarillos

20 cigarillos

50 cigars

10 cigars

250 g tobacco

50 g tobacco

Other goods including perfume

Up to a value of € 300 per traveller or € 430 for travellers by air and sea is

allowed. Some EU countries apply a lower limit of € 150 for travellers under 15.

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.

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 certiicate of insurance.

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.

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.

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.

The maximum permitted blood alcohol level varies between 0.2 mg/ml

and 0.8 mg/ml although some countries do not allow any alcohol in the blood

while driving.

Remember to drive on the left side of the road in Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and

the United Kingdom and that in some countries, such as Belgium, France, the

Netherlands and Portugal, you normally have to give way to traic coming from

your right.

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