travelling to the uk with eu id card

European ID Cards: Changes at the UK Border from 1st October 2021

It is estimated that almost a third of EU, EEA and Swiss nationals currently travel to the UK using national identity cards, rather than passports. However, on 01 October 2021 , the rules governing entry to the UK with an EU, EEA or Swiss national identity card will change.

Up to and including Thursday 30 September 2021, all EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can use their national identity card to enter the UK. However, from Friday 01 October 2021, this will no longer be possible for most EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. Instead, a valid passport must be shown at the UK border. The passport must be valid for the entire duration of the traveller’s stay in the UK.

While this change will apply to the majority of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, some exceptions apply. Certain EU, EEA and Swiss citizens may continue to enter the UK using only their national identity cards, up until at least 31 December 2025 . This will only apply to you if you fall into one of the categories below:

You have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme

If you have been granted either pre-settled status or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you can enter the UK by showing the identity document linked to your online status. This could be your passport, or your national identity card.

Before you travel, you should ensure that you update your online account with all valid travel documents (such as passports or national identity cards) that you hold and intend to use for travel, to avoid any unnecessary delays at the border. You can check, or change, the identity document linked to your status under the EU Settlement Scheme on the GOV.UK website .

You have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, but not yet received a decision

On 25 August 2021, the UK government updated its guidance to confirm that EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who applied to the EU Settlement Scheme before the 30 June 2021 deadline, but have not yet received a decision, can continue to use their national identity card to enter the UK after 01 October 2021, while they are waiting for the decision on their application.

If your application is pending, UK border guards will be able to check your pending status automatically at the border using the documents registered, so your travel in and out of the country will not be affected while your application is being processed. 

You have an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit

If you have an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit , you may continue to enter the UK after 01 October 2021 by showing an EU, EEA or Swiss national ID card.

You have a Frontier Worker Permit

If you have a permit under the Frontier Worker Permit Scheme , you may continue to enter the UK after 01 October 2021 by showing an EU, EEA or Swiss national ID card.

You are an S2 Healthcare Visitor

If you have been authorised to receive planned healthcare in the UK under the ‘S2 arrangement’ , or you’re accompanying or joining someone who is, you may continue to enter the UK after 01 October 2021 by showing an EU, EEA or Swiss national ID card.

You are a Swiss national and have a Service Provider from Switzerland visa

If you work for a company based in Switzerland and have a Service Providers from Switzerland visa, you may continue to enter the UK after 01 October 2021 by showing a Swiss national ID card.

British and Irish citizens

If you are a British citizen and have a Gibraltar identity card, you can continue to use this to travel to the UK after 01 October 2021.

If you are an Irish citizen and have a passport card, you can continue to use this to travel to the UK  after 01 October 2021.

Non-EEA citizens

Please note that if you’re a non-EEA family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you will need to show your valid national passport. You cannot use an Article 10 or Article 20 residence card issued by an EEA member state to enter the UK.

If you are a non-EEA citizen, you must travel with a valid national passport.

Other Documents That EU or Swiss Visitors May Need to Show at the UK Border

Whether you are entering the UK with a national identity card or a passport, there may be other documents that you will need in order to enter the UK as a Visitor .

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UK: European ID Cards: Changes At The UK Border From 1st October 2021

It is estimated that almost a third of EU, EEA and Swiss nationals currently travel to the UK using national identity cards, rather than passports. However, on  01 October 2021 , the rules governing entry to the UK with an EU, EEA or Swiss national identity card will change.

Up to and including Thursday 30 September 2021, all EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can use their national identity card to enter the UK. However, from Friday 01 October 2021, this will no longer be possible for most EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. Instead, a valid passport must be shown at the UK border. The passport must be valid for the entire duration of the traveller's stay in the UK.

While this change will apply to the majority of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, some exceptions apply. Certain EU, EEA and Swiss citizens may continue to enter the UK using only their national identity cards, up until at least  31 December 2025 . This will only apply to you if you fall into one of the categories below:

You have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme

If you have been granted either pre-settled status or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you can enter the UK by showing the identity document linked to your online status. This could be your passport, or your national identity card.

Before you travel, you should ensure that you update your online account with all valid travel documents (such as passports or national identity cards) that you hold and intend to use for travel, to avoid any unnecessary delays at the border. You can check, or change, the identity document linked to your status under the EU Settlement Scheme on the  GOV.UK website .

You have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, but not yet received a decision

On 25 August 2021, the UK government updated its guidance to confirm that EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who applied to the EU Settlement Scheme before the 30 June 2021 deadline, but have not yet received a decision, can continue to use their national identity card to enter the UK after 01 October 2021, while they are waiting for the decision on their application.

If your application is pending, UK border guards will be able to check your pending status automatically at the border using the documents registered, so your travel in and out of the country will not be affected while your application is being processed. 

If your application is decided after

You have an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit

If you have an  EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit , you may continue to enter the UK after 01 October 2021 by showing an EU, EEA or Swiss national ID card.

You have a Frontier Worker Permit

If you have a permit under the  Frontier Worker Permit Scheme , you may continue to enter the UK after 01 October 2021 by showing an EU, EEA or Swiss national ID card.

You are an S2 Healthcare Visitor

If you have been authorised to receive planned healthcare in the UK under the  'S2 arrangement' , or you're accompanying or joining someone who is, you may continue to enter the UK after 01 October 2021 by showing an EU, EEA or Swiss national ID card.

You are a Swiss national and have a Service Provider from Switzerland visa

If you work for a company based in Switzerland and have a Service Providers from Switzerland visa, you may continue to enter the UK after 01 October 2021 by showing a Swiss national ID card.

British and Irish citizens

If you are a British citizen and have a Gibraltar identity card, you can continue to use this to travel to the UK after 01 October 2021.

If you are an Irish citizen and have a passport card, you can continue to use this to travel to the UK  after 01 October 2021.

Non-EEA citizens

Please note that if you're a non-EEA family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you will need to show your valid national passport. You cannot use an Article 10 or Article 20 residence card issued by an EEA member state to enter the UK.

If you are a non-EEA citizen, you must travel with a valid national passport.

Other Documents That EU or Swiss Visitors May Need to Show at the UK Border

Whether you are entering the UK with a national identity card or a passport, there may be other documents that you will need in order to  enter the UK as a Visitor .

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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Travel to the UK after Brexit: What we know about how EU travellers will be affected as transition period ends

At present eu citizens are able to travel to the uk with just a national id card or a valid passport but this might change in the future.

EU holidaymakers and business travellers will still be able to travel to the UK – coronavirus restrictions permitting – once the Brexit transition period ends . However, there are some extra steps they may need to take in the future.

Little has changed for EU citizens travelling, working, living or studying in the UK, and vice versa this year but new rules will apply from 1 January 2021 – subject to ongoing negotiations between the UK and the bloc .

Here’s what EU travellers need to know about how their future holidays to the UK might be affected.

Will anything change for EU, EEA or Swiss citizens?

The Brexit transition period will end on 31 December – however, travel rules will not change for EU, EEA (which also includes Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) as well Swiss citizens travelling to the UK until October 2021.

At present these citizens are able to travel to the UK with just a national ID card or a valid passport .

They will be able to continue using their ID cards to travel to the UK up to and including 30 September 2021. However, from 1 October 2021 they will need a valid passport, as national identity cards will no longer be accepted.

Those who can continue to use their national ID cards to enter the UK until at least 31 December 2025 are people who:

• have settled or pre-settled status under the  EU Settlement Scheme
• have a frontier worker permit
• are an S2 Healthcare Visitor
• are a Swiss Service Provider

Will I need a visa?

Currently, if you’re an EU, EEA and Swiss citizen, you can continue to travel to the UK for holidays or short-term trips without needing a visa – but this is likely to change.

The UK government is set to roll out an online Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visitors travelling to the United Kingdom – including EU, EEA or Swiss citizens – as part of the post-Brexit border and immigration system.

It is expected to function in a similar way to the US ESTA visa waiver. Although, it won’t launch on 1 January 2021, the government intends to introduce the system on a phased basis to 2025.

It is understood that, under the new rules, citizens of EU countries would be  r equired to apply for an electronic visa waiver up to three days before travelling to the UK for short trips up to 90 days and pay a small fee.

Further details of these arrangements will be provided in due course.

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What does Brexit mean for those travelling to and from the UK?

The UK has officially left the EU. What does that mean for travel into and out of the island?

It has been a turbulent four and a half years in British politics, but on 31 December 2020 the UK officially departed the European Union with a trade deal approved by both sides.

The decisions made will impact every aspect of working relations between the UK and its closest geographical neighbour; but how will it affect travel to and from the island?

There is another obvious barrier to travel right now: Covid-19. After a new strain of the virus was found in the south east of England, the UK is currently under a strict lockdown. This bans all travel except for work, health or family reasons.

But once travel is allowed again, what do you need to think about before planning a trip? We’ve got you covered on all the information that’s currently available.

What travel documents does a British national need to travel to the EU?

• UK nationals now require a visa if they want to stay in the EU for longer than 90 days out of a 180 day period.
• On the day of travel, UK passports must have at least six months left and be less than 10 years old.

What travel documents do EU citizens need to travel to the UK?

• EU citizens, EEA citizens and Swiss national ID card holders can travel to the UK for short trips without needing a visa. You can cross the UK border as long as you have a valid passport.
• You will not be able to use an EU, EEA or Swiss national ID card to enter the UK after 1 October 2021 unless you have an EU Settlement Scheme permit, or travel rights including working, service and healthcare.

Can a British national still get free healthcare while in the EU?

• European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) will remain valid until their date of expiration. The UK Government has advised this will be replaced by a UK Global Health Insurance card - full details are yet to be released.
• UK citizens will still be able to use their passports to get emergency healthcare in Norway.
• There are different rules for other countries such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania. Check national travel advice websites for more information.

Can British nationals take their pets with them on holiday to the EU?

• From January 2021, pet passports will no longer be valid.
• Pets can still enter the EU and UK respectively, but owners will need to obtain a new animal health certificate for every trip they make.
• The advice is to allow one month to ensure you have the right documentation and the relevant health checks are complete before you travel.

Can British nationals travel to the EU for business?

• Travelling to the EU (including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) to work for less than 90 days in a 180 day window may not require a visa or work permit - for example, if you’re attending a business meeting or event.
• You might need a visa if your work involves: staying in the EU for longer than the 90 day timeframe; if you’re transferring to a company branch abroad; if you’re providing a service in a country where your employer has no presence, or if you’re self-employed.

Have there been any changes with food, drink, plants and produce?

• Meat, milk and products containing them cannot be transported into EU countries.
• There are exceptions including powdered baby formula, pet food or products required for medical reasons.
• You’ll need certification to transport certain plants and plant products into the EU countries.

Can British nationals still take their cars into the EU?

• Car owners from the UK will need a green card and a GB sticker.
• The rules around EU drivers taking to the UK roads are subject to change in the future, but for now the pre-Brexit set-up remains in place.

Have there been any changes to the Erasmus programme?

• Until 30 June 2021, all EU students who are studying in the UK have the ‘right to reside’, meaning they can remain in the UK without any additional paperwork.
• After this date, students may need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. This will allow EU residents to continue to work, study and live in the UK.
• Placements that begin after Brexit will not be eligible to apply for Student Finance England loans.
• For UK students studying in the EU, any changes vary according to country.

Will travel insurance still be valid?

• Changes to insurance policies depend on the country you’re visiting and the company your policy is with. It’s best to check with your insurer.
• Generally speaking, travellers will need to ensure they have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) once they are launched, alongside travel insurance with healthcare cover.
• Consumer rights have not changed, so if your trip is delayed or cancelled, or if the business you’ve booked with shuts down, you should be able to claim compensation (again, depending on your policy).

Will UK phone data work in the EU?

• This depends on the phone operator you’re with, so it’s best to contact them directly. Chances are there may be new charges involved.

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Airlines must allow European visitors to travel to UK on ID cards, says watchdog

Citizens of schengen zone countries have a right to travel using id cards, airlines have been reminded, article bookmarked.

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Some airlines are unnecessarily stopping European travellers from travelling to the UK due to a misunderstanding of post-Brexit travel rules, a watchdog has said.

In several cases, airlines have demanded that travellers show proof of British residency under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and have refused to accept valid European national ID cards for travel, according to the Independent Monitoring Authority (IMA).

The rejected customers have included EU citizens, as well as those from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland – non-EU countries that are in Europe’s Schengen Area.

These European citizens’ right to use their national ID cards for travel is protected by the withdrawal agreement agreed between the UK and EU during Brexit negotiations.

The IMA has written an open letter to all airlines to remind them of the Home Office’s guidance, which states that European citizens can use either their national ID cards or passports to travel to the UK.

Pam Everett, IMA’s director of operational delivery, said: “As the summer holidays start in earnest, we are concerned that incorrect procedures followed by airline carriers will cause unnecessary stress, even resulting in families missing their holiday.

“We hope this letter to carriers will remind them to ensure their staff are aware of the guidance from the Home Office in relation to citizens’ entitlement to travel.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and remain in close contact with the Home Office about the EUSS and rights of entry to the UK.”

• Family holiday ruined as mum tripped up by Brexit passport rules
• More travel red tape next summer for Europe trips: Get ready for Etias and EES
• Boris Johnson says French staff shortages not Brexit to blame for Channel holidays misery

In its guidance, the Home Office says: “Carriers are not currently required to check an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen’s immigration status, or their entitlement to travel on a national identity card, when deciding whether to bring them to the UK.

“They only need to check that they have a valid passport or national identity card.”

The IMA is funded by – but independent from – the UK government.

It says it seeks to “protect the rights of EU and EEA EFTA citizens, and their family members, living in the UK and Gibraltar.”

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Can I travel to the UK with an ID card after Brexit or do I need a passport?

From 1 October 2021 you need a valid passport to travel to the United Kingdom (UK). If you become a UK resident on or before 31 December 2020, you can continue to use your ID card to travel between the Netherlands and the UK until at least the end of 2025.  

Visiting the UK

From 1 October 2021 you need a valid passport to travel to the United Kingdom (UK). The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information on travelling to the UK from 2021 . 

Dutch nationals living in the UK by 31 December 2020

If you become a UK resident on or before 31 December 2020, you are covered by the withdrawal agreement. This means you can continue to use your ID card to travel between the Netherlands and the UK until at least the end of 2025. You may need to show proof that you fall under the withdrawal agreement.  

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EU & Schengen National ID cards for travel to the UK after 01 OCT 2021

From the 1st October 2021 the UK will no longer accept EU and Schengen National ID cards for travel to the UK and will require a passport to enter the UK. EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals:

• who have received settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• who have made an application by 30 June 2021 to the EUSS but have not yet received a decision on their application
• have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
• who are an S2 Healthcare Visitor
• with a frontier worker permit
• who are Swiss nationals and have a Swiss Service Provider from Switzerland visa

can still use their ID cards to travel to the UK at least until 31December 2025. They’ll also be able to use them after that date, if the cards meet the security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Further information on changes and exemptions can be found here . Important notes

• EU Countries include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
• The European Economic Area (EEA) includes EU countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. 
• Read more about  Brexit FAQs , the   Brexit new rules  and the Immigration rules .

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Is my passport still valid? New rules and prices around soon-to-be expired ID

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With more bank holidays coming up, many of us are excited to leave the country. But before you set off, you’ll want to double check your passport.

We don’t mean check that it is definitely in your bag or pocket, but really pay attention to your passport details.

That’s because since Brexit , new rules have come into play and are now in effect for British travellers .

Since the UK has now left the European Union , travelling to Europe and the Schengen Zone comes with some complications, as UK passport holders are now’third-party nationals’.

This means that your passport now needs to be issued less than ten years before your arrival date to the destination.

So, now the issue date is just as important as the expiry date, meaning your passport needs to be less than ten years to the day you’re landing.

Before, you could travel with a passport that was out of date by up to nine months, (meaning you were able to use it for more than ten years).

Now, not only must your passport be less than ten years old, you also need to make sure it has at least three months remaining on its expiry.

Simply put, if you’re travelling to Spain on 5 May, you need to make sure your passport was issued after 5 May 2014 and expires no earlier than 5 August 2024.

Anyone who fails these rules will be turned away, which is already happening to some British travellers.

What are the new passport renewal rules?

These rules apply to Brits travelling to all EU member states, except Ireland. They also apply to other countries in Europe’s Schengen area, such as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, and Monaco.

Now, your UK passport must:

• have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the EU country (the date of issue)
• be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave (the date of expiry)

How can I check if my passport is still valid?

Check the date of issue on your passport – is it issued within ten years of the day you land?

Add three months to the day you leave the country – does your passport expire after that?

If the answer to the questions above is ‘yes’ then you don’t need to worry. But if it is ‘no’ then you’ll need to either apply for a passport renewal or get an emergency travel document (especially if your travel date is soon, or you get turned away at the airport).

How much is passport renewal in 2024?

You will need to renew your passport though the HM Passport Office , which allows you to renew it through the post or online.

You can use the online service to renew your passport at a cost of £88.50. You’ll need: a  digital photo ; a credit or debit card; and your old passport including passports to other countries.

You can get a paper application form by either going to a Post Office that has a  Check and Send service , or calling the  Passport Adviceline . This costs £100.

To renew your child’s passport, it’s slightly cheaper. Online, the service costs £57.50 – you’ll need a digital photo of your child, their old passport, any valid passports from other countries, and any court orders relating to your child.

You can also renew their passport by post, in the same way you would for an adult, which costs £69.

You can pay by either a debit or credit card – fill in the form in the application pack, or send a cheque made payable to ‘HM Passport Office’

You’ll need two new and identical printed photos of yourself.

What makes a passport invalid?

Other than passport issue and expiry date problems, there are other ways the document might be rendered invalid, for example if there is physical damage to it.

Vicky Pattinson was recently turned away at the airport when her passport was chewed by her dog, and there are ways a passport might be deemed invalid.

This can be if:

• Details are indecipherable
• The laminate has lifted enough to allow the possibility of photo substitution
• There’s discolouration of the bio-data page
• There’s chemical or ink spillage on any page
• There are missing or detached pages
• The chip or antenna shows through the end paper on the back cover for the new style e-passports
• The chip has been identified as damaged after investigation

If your passport is damaged and you have an overseas trip booked that’s shorter than a month away, you’ll need to use the  Fast Track service . This involves attending an appointment at a Passport Office (you can choose between Belfast, Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport or Peterborough), where you’ll need to hand in a completed application form, two valid passport photos, and any supporting documents.

You’re guaranteed to receive your new passport in seven days but these appointments get booked up quickly – especially in peak season – so book one as soon as possible.

What happens if my passport is invalid?

The Consular Section at the British High Commission regularly receives panic calls from Britons at the airport – someone in the family was not allowed to board the flight because their passport expires in less than six months.

The British High Commission can help by processing an  Emergency Travel Document  (ETD). This costs £100 and is usually issued within 24 hours. Visas for ETDs may be required; some countries that allow visa-free entry on a regular passport will require a visa for an ETD.

As you can see, these scenarios result in added costs and unexpected delays, so check your passports ASAP.

What other rules are coming into effect for UK travellers?

British travellers to European and Schengen countries are also no longer ablefor stay at length.

Now you can only stay for a maximum of 90 days within a six-month period, whereas before you could have stayed longer.

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• Entering and staying in the UK
• Visas and entry clearance

eVisa rollout begins with immigration documents replaced by 2025

Millions are being invited to switch from physical immigration documents to an eVisa – a key step in creating a modernised and digital border.

Photo: Getty Images

The next stage in the government’s plan to modernise the border and introduce a digital immigration system is under way, as the Home Office moves closer to the implementation of eVisas for nearly all visa holders living in the UK by 2025.

From today (17 April 2024), the Home Office will begin to send emails to all those with physical immigration documents, called biometric residence permits (BRPs), inviting them to create a UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account to access their eVisa, a digital proof of their immigration status.

Invitations will be issued in phases before the process opens to all BRP holders in summer 2024.

eVisas are central to making the UK safer by reducing the risk of fraud, loss and abuse of physical documents, strengthening border security, and providing a more secure way to prove immigration status. This will pave the way for increased automation to deliver the government’s vision for a contactless border.

It is free and straightforward for customers who hold physical and paper documents to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. Creating a UKVI account will not change, impact or remove customers’ current immigration status or their rights in the UK.

Minister for Legal Migration and the Border, Tom Pursglove MP, said:  

We’ve already taken really significant steps to digitally transform the border and immigration system, and this wider rollout of eVisas is a key part of that process.  Replacing physical immigration documents with eVisas will ensure firm control over who comes here to live, work or study, strengthening border security and preventing abuse of the immigration system, while delivering cost savings for UK taxpayers.

eVisas bring substantial benefits to the UK public and to visa customers. They are secure, and, unlike a physical document, cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with. They can be accessed anywhere and in real time, putting customers in control of their own data and allowing them to swiftly update the Home Office with new contact or passport details.

An eVisa is securely linked with the holder’s unique biometric information in the same way as a BRP or BRC , to protect against identity fraud.

People checking immigration status will be able to conduct one quick and simple check using a secure online service on GOV.UK. Selected public bodies are already able to access immigration status to determine eligibility for public services automatically through system to system checks.

eVisas are tried and tested, with millions of customers already using them across routes including the EU Settlement Scheme ( EUSS ). Most physical documents, such as biometric residence permits or cards (BRPs or BRCs), are being gradually phased out, with most BRPs expiring at the end of 2024.

This move to eVisas is in line with other countries which have replaced, or are planning to replace, their physical immigration documents with digital forms of immigration status.

Customers who already have an eVisa do not need to do anything as we make this change, but should continue to update their UKVI account with any changes to personal information, such as a new passport or contact details. Customers should continue to carry their in-date physical immigration documents with them when they travel internationally, until they expire.

Physical immigration documents will be gradually phased out by 2025, as we transition to a fully digital border and immigration system for new and existing customers. This will deliver enhanced security and cost savings for the UK public and greater convenience for customers and status checkers. 

Customers who already have an eVisa should tell the Home Office about any passport on which they intend to travel using the online Update your UK Visas and Immigration account details service on GOV.UK, if this is not already linked to their account, to avoid delays when travelling.

As part of the wider transformation of the UK border and immigration system, the government has already introduced the Electronic Travel Authorisation ( ETA ) scheme. ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK for those wanting to visit but who do not need a visa. It gives the government greater ability to screen travellers in advance of travel and prevent those who pose a threat from coming here.

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