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James Andrews

Martin Lewis Brexit tips: Holiday money, European travel, EHIC and how to get he best rate

People should act now to take the uncertainty out of exchange rates and secure a more stable future.

That's the message from Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis, who told viewers of his ITV show that Brexit has "become a spinning vortex of uncertainty".

But he pointed out little has been said on the practical What is a No Deal Brexit? Ways a No Deal could impact your daily life in the UK - so he decided to change that.

The financial expert reassured millions that most of your rights will remain in place no matter what happens in Parliament in the next few days.

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't act now on some things, the Mirror reports.

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Holiday currency

"Am I better buying Euros now for my summer holidays in August or waiting until the whole debacle is concluded?" one viewer asked.

Martin pointed there are two levels of uncertainty - one around what happens with Brexit and another around what the currency markets think about it.

"Look at the rate now, are you happy with the rate?" he asked.

If so and you want certainty, then get your money immediately.

If you're not sure he advised people to hedge their bets.

"Get half your money now, half just before you travel," Martin said.

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He added that generally the cheapest way to spend abroad is a specialist travel money card.

Starling bank and Barclaycard's Platinum credit card were his top picks.

"Both offer perfect exchange rates," he said.

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However, neither of these allow you to buy money in advance at todays rates to hold for later.

That means you'll need to head to a travel money site to buy currency, or try a card like Revolut or WeSwap that lets you swap you pounds now and hold it your chosen currency for later.

Should I renew by EHIC?

Martin Lewis advised one viewer to renew their card now.

That's because in the case of a Brexit where a deal is done, then it should still be useful.

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Transitional arrangements mean it should be valid until the end of 2020 at least, he said.

If there's no deal struck, things get trickier.

But the important thing to say is that renewing your card is free. As such there's no downside, and potentially big upsides, to renewing now.

"There's no harm in making sure you have a valid EHIC – around five million expire each year, so it's easy to forget to renew," he wrote in his  full Brexit guide on MoneySavingExpert.com .

What is a No Deal Brexit? Ways a No Deal could impact your daily life in the UK

What about pet travel?

As things stand, the EU Pet Travel Scheme means owners of dogs and cats can take their animals with them to and from EU countries provided they hold a valid EU pet passport.

To get one you need to have your pet taken to a vet before travel, microchipped and vaccinated against rabies.

"Brexit may make it much harder to take your pet to Europe – though much depends on whether a deal passes through Parliament, so we don't yet know what's going to happen" Martin worte.

He advised people to apply for a vet check up 4 months in advance, to make sure they get it sorted out.

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