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Travel documents required from EU citizens when travelling to the UK from 1 October 2021

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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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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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Get healthcare cover abroad with a UK GHIC or UK EHIC

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get necessary state healthcare in EU countries, and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country. This may be free or it may require a payment equivalent to that which a local resident would pay.

The UK GHIC has replaced the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC you can continue to use it until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you'll need to apply for a UK GHIC to replace it.

You can apply for a new card up to 9 months before your current card expires.

A UK GHIC is free and lasts for up to 5 years. Apply for your new card through the NHS website. Avoid unofficial websites – they may charge you a fee to apply.

If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you can choose to apply for a new UK EHIC instead.

The UK GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. We advise you to have private travel and medical insurance for the duration of your trip.

We also recommend you check FCDO travel advice on GOV.UK for the country you're visiting.

You can apply for a UK GHIC if you're a resident in the UK. You can also add your family members to your application when you apply.

You'll need to provide your:

• date of birth
• National Insurance or NHS number (if you're from England or Wales)
• CHI number (if you're from Scotland)
• Health and Care number (if you're from Northern Ireland)

Applying for family members

Every member of your family needs their own card. You can add your spouse, civil partner and children to your application when you apply. You must enter your own details first and apply for any additional cards when prompted.

If you've already completed your application and want to add additional family members contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services . You'll need to give us your reference number, name, date of birth and address so we can access your record.

After you apply

After you've submitted your application, we'll email you within 24 hours to let you know whether it has been approved or not (if you don't get a reply, check your junk folder). We may need to see additional information or documents before approving it.

Once your application has been approved, you should receive your new card within 15 working days. It will be sent to you by post.

If you do not receive it before you travel, and need medically necessary treatment during your visit, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) to get temporary cover. For more information, see "If you don't have your card with you" towards the end of this page.

If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement

If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you can choose to apply for a new UK EHIC rather than a UK GHIC. A UK EHIC provides cover for some countries that are not currently covered by the UK GHIC (these are Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein). Like the UK GHIC, it's free and lasts up to 5 years. You can find out if you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement on GOV.UK.

What your card covers

You can use your card to get state healthcare that cannot reasonably wait until you come back to the UK (sometimes called "medically necessary healthcare"). This includes things like:

• emergency treatment and visits to A&E
• treatment or routine medical care for long-term or pre-existing medical conditions
• routine maternity care, as long as you're not going abroad to give birth

You'll need to pre-arrange some treatments with the relevant healthcare provider in the country you're visiting – for example, kidney dialysis or chemotherapy – as it's not guaranteed that local healthcare providers will always have the capacity to provide this care.

Whether treatment is medically necessary is decided by the healthcare provider in the country you're visiting.

Not all state healthcare is free outside of the UK. You may have to pay for treatment that you would get for free on the NHS, if a local resident would be expected to pay in the country you're visiting.

Before travelling, you should check the state-provided healthcare services in the country you're visiting and any potential charges you may face.

Check the relevant country guide on GOV.UK for information on how to access treatment in the country you're visiting

What your card does not cover

A UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) does not replace travel and medical insurance or cover services like:

• being flown back to the UK (medical repatriation)
• treatment in a private medical facility
• ski or mountain rescue

We advise that you have a UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) and private travel and medical insurance for the duration of your trip.

Where you can use your card

You can use a UK GHIC when you're visiting:

• an EU country ( see a list of EU countries on GOV.UK )
• Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man
• St Helena, Tristan and Ascension

You can use a UK GHIC in Switzerland if you're one of the following:

• a British national
• a Swiss national
• an EU citizen
• a stateless person
• a family member of someone who holds one of the above nationalities or statuses

The UK government is negotiating with other countries to expand the use of the UK GHIC, so always check coverage before you travel.

You can use a UK EHIC when you're visiting:

• Liechtenstein
• Switzerland

Visiting Norway

You can use a UK passport to get medically necessary healthcare in Norway if you're a UK resident.

Visiting Montenegro

You can get free emergency treatment in Montenegro but you'll have to pay for your prescribed medicines and for other medical treatment.

If you're a UK national, your UK passport will give you access to emergency healthcare in Montenegro.

If you're a UK resident but not a UK national you'll need your passport and a UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) to get emergency healthcare.

Getting healthcare in other countries

You'll have to pay for treatment unless the UK has a healthcare agreement with that country .

Check if you're eligible for a UK GHIC

You'll be entitled to a UK GHIC if both of these things apply:

• you're ordinarily and legally resident in the UK
• you do not have healthcare cover provided by an EU country or Switzerland

There is information about what "ordinarily resident" means on GOV.UK

You may also be entitled to a UK GHIC if you're:

• living in the EU or Switzerland with a registered S1 form
• living in the EU or Switzerland with an A1 document issued by the UK
• a family member or dependant of an entitled individual already listed

Check if you're eligible for a UK EHIC

You may be eligible for a new UK EHIC if you meet one of the following criteria:

• you're living in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, and have been since before 1 January 2021 with a registered S1, E121, E106 or E109 form issued by the UK
• you're living in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein since before 1 January 2021 with an A1 issued by the UK
• you're a national of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein who has legally resided in the UK since before 1 January 2021 and are covered under the Withdrawal Agreement – you may not be covered if you are also a UK national or if you were born in the UK
• you're a family member or dependant of an entitled individual already listed

If your circumstances change and you no longer meet one of the above criteria, you may not be entitled to continue using the card and should contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services .

You must be entitled to use your UK GHIC or UK EHIC at the time of the treatment. If you use it to access healthcare that you're not entitled to, you may be liable for the full cost of all treatment received or face prosecution.

Applying for a UK Student EHIC or UK GHIC

To apply for a UK Student EHIC or UK GHIC, you'll need a letter from your university or college showing:

• the name and address of the UK educational institution if you're travelling as part of your course
• the address of where you're studying in the EU or Switzerland
• details of the qualification you're studying for
• the dates your study period in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland started and is due to finish
• your permanent residential address in the UK

If the letter from your university or college does not include your permanent residential address in the UK, you'll be asked to provide further evidence to confirm this.

This is in addition to the information set out in "How to apply" above.

Students studying in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland applying for a UK Student EHIC or UK GHIC

If you normally live in the UK and have been studying in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland since before 1 January 2021, you may be eligible for a new UK Student EHIC for use in the EU and your country of study.

You will not be able to use this card for treatment in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein unless one of these countries is your country of study.

If you started your course after 1 January 2021, or you're planning to study in an EU country, you'll need to apply for a UK Student GHIC. If you're studying in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein you can also apply for a UK GHIC but it will not cover you for treatment in those countries, even if you are studying there.

You can use the UK Student GHIC in the EU, Switzerland and your country of study, but not yet in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

Using a UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) when abroad

You should take your UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) with you when you travel abroad. If you need medically necessary treatment, you'll need to present the card to the hospital (or other service provider) that is treating you – make sure that you are being treated at a public health provider and not a private one. Keep all receipts and paperwork.

Depending on the country you visit you may be expected to pay all or part of your bill upfront and then claim a refund afterwards.

Some countries ask patients to pay a contribution towards the cost of their care. This is known as a co-payment or patient share. You can claim back the difference between the total bill and the co-payment, but the actual co-payment is not refundable.

Your UK GHIC or UK EHIC will not cover costs that a local resident would have to pay.

If you don't have your card with you

If you need emergency treatment when you're in another country and do not have your UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) with you, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC). A PRC gives you the same level of cover as a UK GHIC or UK EHIC.

A PRC also covers you if you've applied for a UK GHIC or UK EHIC and it has not arrived yet.

Find out more about PRCs and how to apply for one

You'll need to pay in full for treatment if you do not have a UK GHIC, UK EHIC or PRC. You should ask for a copy of your invoice and obtain a receipt.

How to claim a refund

To claim a refund for healthcare covered by your UK GHIC or UK EHIC, you'll need to download and fill in a refund claim form and send it to NHS Overseas Healthcare Services. You should include receipts and any supporting documents with your claim form.

Find out how to claim a refund for healthcare covered by your UK GHIC or UK EHIC

Incorrect charges for treatment

If you think you've been incorrectly charged for medical treatment, contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services .

Keep all documents relating to your treatment. You may need to provide more information to confirm your eligibility and the cost of the treatment you had. This could include:

• receipts or invoices relating to treatment
• confirmation that the treatment was state-provided
• confirmation of payments made to healthcare institutions
• documents relating to insurance cover if your insurer paid for treatment
• discharge documents

NHS Overseas Healthcare Services will look at your claim to decide whether you were charged when you should have been covered. If they determine that your treatment should have been covered by the UK GHIC or UK EHIC, they'll reimburse you or your insurer for the costs of treatment that are covered by your card.

If you suspect GHIC or EHIC fraud

If you suspect that somebody has fraudulently applied for or used a UK GHIC or UK EHIC they are not entitled to, you can report this to the NHS Counter Fraud Authority .

Alternatively, you can email your concern to us at [email protected] .

Page last reviewed: 12 December 2023 Next review due: 12 December 2026

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1. entry into the united kingdom for germans, 1a. what effects do brexit and the end of the transition period have in terms of entering and staying in the united kingdom.

Since 1 January 2021, new rules apply to EU citizens not already resident in the United Kingdom who wish to enter or stay in the United Kingdom.

All information on UK visa requirements for foreign nationals can be found on the UK government website .

1b. Do I need a visa for visits and/or business trips to the United Kingdom?

German citizens generally still do not need a visa for visits or business trips lasting up to 6 months.

Find out more, particularly on the distinction between a business trip (no visa required) and a stay where you undertake paid work (visa required): Visiting the UK after Brexit

1c. As an EU citizen, am I still allowed to move to the United Kingdom?

Freedom of movement between the EU and the United Kingdom ended on 31 December 2020. Anyone wanting to move to the United Kingdom after that date, for example in order to work or study in the United Kingdom or join family already living there, must apply for a visa beforehand. Certain set criteria must be met in order for a visa to be issued.

Find out more: Visas and Immigration

1d. What does the end of the transition period (31 December 2020) mean for German students?

EU students who had already taken up residence in the United Kingdom before 31 December 2020 had to submit an application under the EU Settlement Scheme to secure the rights associated with settled status or pre-settled status. They had to have taken up residence and been able to prove their physical presence.

EU students moving to the United Kingdom after 31 December 2020 to study must apply for a student visa (for which a charge applies) beforehand , even if their course started in 2020. It is not possible to enter the United Kingdom to begin a course of study without having obtained a visa in advance; EU students must apply (in advance) for a student visa if they are planning to stay for longer than six months. In these cases it is not possible to enter the United Kingdom to begin a course of study without having obtained a visa in advance. There have already been cases of students being turned back at the border or put on a flight back to Germany A student visa gives you considerably fewer rights than people who have acquired settled status or pre-settled status.

Further information on the situation as of 1 January 2021 from the UK Council for International Student Affairs can be found here and here and from Study UK/British Council here .

List of links relating to Brexit and higher education on the website of the London office of DAAD

1e. As an EU citizen, can I work as an au pair in the United Kingdom?

Since 1 January 2021, EU citizens are no longer permitted to take up work as an au pair in the United Kingdom.

1f. As an EU citizen, can I do a German university mandatory internship in the United Kingdom?

You may apply for a Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange visa (T5) provided you meet the criteria. However, since 1 January 2021, it is virtually impossible in practice for EU citizens to do a German university mandatory internship in the United Kingdom.

1g. As an EU citizen, can I do a legal internship (administrative or elective stage) in the United Kingdom?

Under the British immigration legislation applicable to EU citizens since 1 January 2021, it is generally also no longer possible for Germans to undertake part of their legal training (“Referendariat”) in the United Kingdom.

1h. As an EU citizen, can I still enter the United Kingdom using my national identity card or passport after Brexit?

Since 1 October 2021, EU citizens are only able to enter the UK with a valid passport. This also applies to travellers in transit.

If you have settled status or pre-settled status, you are generally still able to enter the country using your national ID card. To provide extra proof of your status at border control, your national ID card should be linked to your immigration status online. From 2026, the British government is free to make biometric documents compulsory. Some airlines will only accept a passport (rather than a national ID card).

Find out more: Visiting the UK after Brexit

• Top of page

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.  

Blog Accessibility in government

https://accessibility.blog.gov.uk/2024/04/04/gov-uk-id-check-app-building-an-accessible-digital-identity-app/

GOV.UK ID Check app: Building an accessible digital identity app

The background

At Government Digital Service (GDS), our mission is to make digital government simpler, clearer and faster for everyone. As part of the GOV.UK One Login programme , we released the GOV.UK ID Check app for iOS and Android last year which is the first mobile app GDS has built and released.

The GOV.UK ID Check app gives users with a form of photo ID a fast, simple and secure way to prove their identity when accessing government services online. The app works with a UK driving licence, UK or international chipped passport, or UK biometric residence permit.

In a previous blog post , we talked about how we’re working to improve inclusion across digital identity in government, and our mobile app is an important part of this. In this blog, we’ll discuss how we’ve approached accessibility throughout the product development lifecycle.

The Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations (2018) require all public sector bodies to make their websites and apps accessible by making them ‘perceivable, operable, understandable and robust’. Our websites and apps can meet this requirement by meeting the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 to AA standard .

By making the GOV.UK ID Check app accessible, it means that it can be used by as many people as possible.

This includes those with:

• visual impairments
• motor difficulties
• cognitive impairments or learning disabilities
• deafness or impaired hearing

The WCAG guidelines are a good start to ensure that government services are accessible, but they are a floor, not a ceiling, as a measure of accessibility. Our aim across GOV.UK One Login is to build a truly inclusive, accessible service. 

We’re doing this by not only relying on WCAG as a measure of accessibility but also leveraging our user research capabilities to understand the real challenges our users are facing more broadly through our journeys. 

Developing mobile apps 

Apple (iOS) and Google (Android) keep a close hold over their eco-systems, providing well-defined guidelines on designing applications for each. The Human Interface Guidelines for iOS and The Material Design Guidelines for Android have accessibility as a key foundation in their design principles.

People using mobile devices will likely be familiar with the user interface (UI) patterns outlined in these platform guidelines. Following these guidelines can enhance the usability of an app. Additionally, users expect apps to align with the settings they have enabled on their devices.

 These include:

• customising the font size on their device to one that is different (larger or smaller) from the default
• enabling the built-in screen reader
• connecting an external keyboard and using it to navigate around an app

We developed our apps using Software Development Kits (SDKs) offered by Apple and Google rather than cross-platform solutions. Doing so allows us to take full advantage of in-built accessibility features available on iOS and Android, including those required to meet WCAG 2.2 AA.

How we created our platform guidelines for mobile app

By law, digital services produced by UK Public Sector organisations must be accessible. The Service Manual sets this requirement by law such as meeting the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.2 to a minimum of AA level. The Web Consortium has guidance on applying these guidelines for mobile web and non-web technologies .

We’ve produced platform-specific guidelines for implementing WCAG 2.2 AA in iOS and Android apps using these documents. They help us ensure our app can be used by the widest possible range of users, working in ways users expect from their mobile platform.

Our guidelines focus on features relevant to the app we’ve been building. We haven’t provided guidance for developers for types of functionality not included in our app. This means it doesn’t cover all WCAG success criteria , such as success criterion 1.2 Time-Based Media, as we haven’t built any time-based media into the GOV.UK ID Check app.

We started by working through the WCAG 2.2 AA success criteria point by point and discussing how each point relates to system accessibility features. Some were trivial, such as the WCAG 2.1.1 Keyboard success criterion, where users needed to navigate the app using a Bluetooth keyboard like on a website.

Some guidelines needed a slight adaptation for mobile apps. For example, for success criterion “1.4.4 Resize text” , we interpreted support for iOS’s dynamic type feature as sufficient to meet the success criteria. The GOV.UK ID Check app supports all available dynamic type sizes, including those smaller than the default setting.

Once we’d mapped the system accessibility features and cross-referenced them with the WCAG mobile guidance, we added any missing pieces to our guidance and shared them with our wider teams.

Accessibility is considered throughout the entire product development lifecycle, from user research and usability testing with disabled people to end-to-end automated and manual accessibility testing with assistive technology.  This helps us get better outcomes from our independent accessibility audits and results in having fewer issues to fix later on.

As a result of this work, we have an early version of a components and pattern library shared in the Design System Day 2023.  

Evolving our design with usability testing

In addition to adapting guidelines for our mobile app, we carry out regular usability testing, and we’re regularly iterating our designs, code and standards based on our research findings to build a better, more inclusive app.

A key feature of the GOV.UK ID Check app enables liveness and likeness checks as part of the identity-checking process. This part of the journey includes a screen that has flashing lights.

Flashing lights can cause harm to people who have epilepsy and vestibular conditions. It was important that we considered this when implementing this new feature, and that we provided an accessible alternative so users could still verify their identity.

The screens were usability tested with over 100 participants. Participants understood the purpose of these specific screens and were able to complete the task. Our current analytics shows there’s no significant drop-off rate on these screens because users can still prove their identity another way.

We believe we’ve made a great start by making our app accessible to AA standards, but there is still plenty to do. We’re constantly reviewing the latest accessibility features available on Android and iOS to see which ones we can support. We want to expand our implementation guidance to cover a wider range of components, providing example implementations of each in the code libraries we have for iOS and Android.

We’re continuously monitoring how the app performs with real users and plan to gather anonymous analytics on which accessibility features are enabled by our users. This will allow us to prioritise our work to make sure we provide the accessibility features that are most needed by our users. 

GOV.UK One Login app is also collaborating closely with team members from GOV.UK Design System and GOV.UK to explore how we translate web-based design principles into native apps. The teams meet on a regular basis to work through a prioritised list of design problems and accessibility considerations that can influence each team’s roadmap, ensuring the best experience for end users undertaking cross-channel or single channel journeys. 

As we build new features, we’ll continue undertaking user research and doing both internal and independent accessibility testing in order to strive to make the app as inclusive as possible to users.

If you would like to collaborate on accessibility or have any other feedback, you can email the team at [email protected] .

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Related content and links

Accessibility in government.

This is for everyone: documenting how we're rebuilding inclusive digital services across the UK Government. Find out more

How accessible is your website?

Public sector organisations have a legal duty to make websites accessible. Find out how your organisation is impacted at GOV.UK/accessibility-regulations  

GOV.UK service and product owners need to upload an   accessibility page and publishers need to upload an accessible documents policy .

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Blogs and resources from GDS

• Government Digital Service blog
• Government Service Design Manual
• GDS Content Style Guide
• Digital by Default Service Standard
• GDS Design Principles
• GDS Design Notes blog

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Enabling the use of digital identities in the UK

We’re working to help people securely prove who they are without having to rely on physical documents.

In the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology ( DSIT ) , we’re working to help people securely prove things about themselves, such as who they are or what their age is, without having to repeatedly present physical documents.

The government is not making digital identities mandatory. This is not a step towards ID cards. Instead, we’re setting robust standards to make sure innovative private-sector solutions protect privacy, boost security, and enable greater accessibility, all while growing the economy by saving people and businesses time and money.

To maintain trust in digital identity products and services as uptake increases and technology develops, we are setting up a governance structure , underpinned by legislation , to ensure standards are being followed and to keep them up to date.

This page collects digital identity guidance published to date and is primarily aimed at 4 groups:

• Providers , who provide digital identity or attribute services
• Certifying bodies , who will certify services against the standards we set
• Overlay schemes , which build on our standards in particular use cases or industries
• Employers, businesses or other bodies , sometimes known as relying parties, who want to use digital identity services

What is a digital identity?

If you’ve scanned your driving licence to open a bank account, used your passport at an automated border gate, or used your face to unlock your phone, you’re already familiar with the sorts of technologies used in digital identity products.

A digital identity is a digital representation of your identity information, like your name and age. At your request, it can also contain other information about you, like your address, or biometric information, like a fingerprint or face scan.

It enables you to prove who you are during interactions and transactions without presenting physical documents.

Just like when a physical document (such as a passport) is checked, someone checking your digital identity must have a way to know that it is genuine and that it belongs to you.

For example, some banks will check your identity digitally when you want to open an account. A typical process is:

• You take a photo of a document (e.g. a passport or driving licence)
• It is checked digitally to confirm it is genuine
• You take a photo or video of yourself which is matched to the one on the document

Unlike with a physical document, you are able to limit the amount of information you share to only what is really necessary. For example, if you are asked to prove you are over 18, you could provide a simple yes/no response and avoid sharing any other personal details.

Currently, you have to go through an identity checking process each time you need to prove your identity, and many places don’t accept digital identity products, online or in real life. You also don’t currently have an external assurance that this process is optimally secure and privacy-preserving.

The common, robust standards in the UK digital identity and attributes trust framework will change this by enabling digital identities to be reused while providing assurance of privacy and security.

Story so far

In September 2020, we published our response to a call for evidence gathering views on how government can support the development of secure digital identities in the UK

In February 2021, we published the first version of the UK digital identity and attributes trust framework , which has been in development since

In March 2022, we published a response to a public consultation on our proposed approach to enabling secure digital identities in the UK economy

In April 2022, employers and landlords became able to use providers with certified services for pre-employment, rental eligibility and criminal record checks

In June 2022, we published the current ‘beta’ version of the trust framework and started our beta testing programme

In March 2023, the Data Protection and Digital Information (No.2) Bill had its first reading in Parliament. The Bill will underpin the trust framework and its governance and allow identity and eligibility checks to be made against trusted, government-held data

Useful information for providers

There are three types of providers that fall directly under the scope of the rules found in the UK digital identity and attributes trust framework:

• identity service providers
• attribute service providers
• orchestration service providers

The rules applying to each can be found in sections 11 to 15 of the trust framework .

Providers looking to become certified against the trust framework are already able to do so with government-approved certifying bodies who are undergoing accreditation with the UK’s national accreditation body, UKAS, who has a list of approved certification bodies .

Organisations interested in getting certified should read the guidance on becoming certified against the trust framework.

There are live use cases with pre-employment, rent eligibility and criminal record checks. The government has also published guidance on how to become certified to perform these checks , which require additional rules to be followed. Home Office requirements for these checks can be found at the guidance pages for right to work , right to rent and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

The certification process for the trust framework and any other digital identity overlay schemes is modular: you can certify your services against the trust framework and other overlay scheme guidance which builds on it for particular use cases (such as the right to work, right to rent and DBS schemes).

You do not need to recertify against the trust framework every time you seek certification against an additional overlay scheme.

Useful information for certifying bodies

The UK digital identity and attributes trust framework is now in its beta version. Guidance for providers on becoming certified against the trust framework has been published for those wishing to participate.

The trust framework draws on government guidance for proving and verifying someone’s identity ( GPG 45 ) and for using authenticators to protect an online service ( GPG 44 ).

There are further rules, standards, guidance and legislation in the trust framework, which a provider’s services must or should follow to become certified.

As the certification process for the trust framework is modular, a provider’s services can be certified against other standards on top of the trust framework as part of an overlay scheme.

There are currently public-sector overlay schemes open for right to work, right to rent and DBS checks. Additional Home Office requirements for these checks can be found at the guidance pages for right to work , right to rent and DBS checks. The government has published guidance on how to become certified to perform these checks .

If you want to know which providers have already been certified to carry out right to work, right to rent and DBS checks, you can refer to the list of providers with certified services .

Useful information about overlay schemes

The UK digital identity and attributes trust framework provides a baseline standard for the secure use of digital identities, and is not use case specific.

Some use cases may have additional requirements, for example for providers running pre-employment, rent eligibility and criminal record checks.

These additional requirements may be codified by an organisation or group of organisations as part of an overlay scheme. The overlay scheme can then use the trust framework certification process to certify against these extra requirements.

An overlay scheme is any organisation or group of organisations that:

• Creates additional rules on top of those in the trust framework that reflect the requirements in a particular use case
• Wants participating providers to be certified against those rules.

The certification process for the trust framework is modular, meaning providers can ‘top up’ trust framework certification with certification against the rules of one or more overlay schemes.

If you’re interested in learning more about setting up an overlay scheme, please send an email to [email protected] .

Useful information for employers, businesses, and other bodies

Employers, businesses or other bodies, who are often referred to as relying parties in the digital identity market, are already able to contract with providers who have undergone certification to conduct digital pre-employment, rent eligibility and criminal record checks using digital identity technologies.

Digital Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) identity checks can be undertaken by providers whose services have been certified, as can digital right to work and right to rent checks for British and Irish passport-holders.

If you are looking to use certified services to carry out digital right to work, right to rent and DBS checks, you should refer to the list of providers with certified services .

Home Office requirements for certification to carry out these checks can be found at the guidance pages for right to work , right to rent and DBS checks.

Latest news

28 November 2022: The robust certification process underpinning digital identity services

10 March 2022: New legislation set to make digital identities more trustworthy and secure

19 January 2022: New digital identity checking for landlords and employers to tackle immigration abuse

Stakeholders across the private sector, civil society sector and academia have been involved in developing every step of our work, with over 250 organisations giving us direct feedback through monthly sessions over the last three years.

If you are a provider, scheme, academic or business interested in joining our stakeholder sessions, please email [email protected] .

If you have questions about the certification process not answered by the trust framework certification guidance , please send an email to [email protected] .

The Data Protection and Digital Information (No.2) Bill reintroduced to Parliament.

First published.

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