Traveling To The Uk: Id Requirements And Essential Documents

As of 1 October 2021, most EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens need a valid passport to enter the UK. National identity cards are no longer accepted as valid travel documents. However, there are some exceptions. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme can continue to use their national identity cards to enter the UK until at least 31 December 2025. This is also the case for those with an EU Settlement Scheme family permit, a Frontier Worker permit, or S2 Healthcare Visitors. Additionally, Irish citizens can continue to use a passport card to travel to the UK, and British citizens can use a Gibraltar identity card.

Exemptions for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens

As of 1 October 2021, most EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens need a valid passport to enter the UK. National identity cards are no longer accepted as a valid travel document. However, there are some exemptions for EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens.

Exemptions for EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens:

• EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man's settlement schemes can continue to use their national identity cards to enter the UK until at least 31 December 2025.
• Those with an EU Settlement Scheme family permit, or the equivalent from Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man, can use their national identity card until at least 31 December 2025.
• Those with a frontier worker permit can use their national identity card until at least 31 December 2025.
• S2 Healthcare Visitors can use their national identity card until at least 31 December 2025.
• Swiss nationals with a Service Provider from Switzerland visa can use their national identity card until at least 31 December 2025.
• EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals who have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021 or who have protected rights under the Citizens' Rights Agreements are exempt from the phasing out of ID cards. They can continue to use their national ID cards to travel to the UK until at least 31 December 2025 and indefinitely if their ID card is a biometric card that meets the security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
• EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens aged 18 or under travelling as part of a French school group using a France-UK school trip travel information form can use their national identity card.

It is recommended that travellers with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme travel with the document they used to apply to the scheme. If travelling with a different document, travellers should update their UKVI account to add that document to avoid unnecessary delays at the border.

Gibraltar ID cards and passport cards

The Gibraltar ID card is an official identity document issued by the Civil Status and Registration Office of the Government of Gibraltar to all British citizens living in Gibraltar. The validity of the document is 10 years (5 years for children under 16). The card is a valid travel document for entry into the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Montserrat for holders who are British citizens or British Overseas Territories citizens connected to Gibraltar.

The Gibraltar ID card can be used to enter the UK by British citizens. The card must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the UK. Gibraltar civilian registration cards are also available in different colours, with blue cards issued to resident EU citizens and UK citizens who were residents of Gibraltar as of December 31, 2020 (pre-Brexit), and magenta cards issued to UK citizens who became residents after 2020. Green cards are for non-EU citizens.

The cost of a new application for a Gibraltar ID card is £29, while renewals or changes of particulars cost £12. Persons aged 65 and over are exempt from these charges.

It is important to note that as of 2026, the UK will no longer accept ID cards (as an entry document) that do not comply with applicable international standards related to biometric identification.

Border checks and delays

Firstly, it is important to know that as of 1 October 2021, most EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals can only enter the UK with a valid passport. This means that ID cards are no longer accepted as a valid travel document for these individuals. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme or equivalent schemes from Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man, you can still use your national ID card to enter the UK until at least 31 December 2025. This extended period also applies if you have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit, a Frontier Worker permit, or are an S2 Healthcare Visitor. Swiss nationals with a Service Provider from Switzerland visa can also utilise their national ID cards during this time.

It is worth noting that to avoid unnecessary delays at the UK border, it is recommended that you travel using the document you used to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). If you plan to travel with a different document, update your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to add that document. Carrying the document used for your EUSS application, along with your new document, can also help streamline the border process.

Additionally, if you are an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, ensure that your passport or national ID card is registered on your UKVI account, especially if you have settled or pre-settled status or used the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app when applying for a visa. Failure to do so may result in delays at the border.

For British citizens, a range of documents can be used to enter the UK, including a current or expired Gibraltar identity card, proof of British citizenship, or a copy of your passport or Gibraltar identity card. Irish citizens travelling to Northern Ireland do not need any documents, but those travelling to England, Scotland, or Wales may be asked to provide proof of identity and nationality.

By being aware of the required documents and taking the necessary steps to update your information, you can help ensure a smoother border experience when travelling to the UK.

UK visas and immigration accounts

If you are travelling to the UK, the documents you need to carry depend on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Here is some information on UK visas and immigration accounts.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) accounts are for those who have:

• Applied to the EU Settlement Scheme
• Used the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app to prove your identity when applying for a visa
• Created an account when applying for a visa (you will have received a UKVI account confirmation email)
• Created an account to get access to an eVisa (an online record of your immigration status)

Travelling to the UK as an EU, EEA, or Swiss Citizen

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without a visa. However, a valid passport is required for the entire duration of the stay. Irish citizens can continue to enter and live in the UK without a passport.

Until at least 31 December 2025, EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can use their national identity cards to enter the UK if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man's settlement schemes
• Have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit, or the equivalent from Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man
• Have a Frontier Worker permit
• Are an S2 Healthcare Visitor
• Are a Swiss national with a Service Provider from Switzerland visa

Travelling to the UK from Outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland

If you are travelling to the UK from outside the EU, EEA, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, you must carry a valid passport for the entire duration of your stay. Additionally, you may need a visa, depending on your nationality and the purpose of your visit.

UK Border Control

At the UK border, your information will be digitally checked if you have a UKVI account. Usually, you will not need to prove your status when crossing the border. However, if you have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or Biometric Residence Card (BRC), you must carry it with you, as you may need to show it to your carrier (e.g. an airline or transport provider) or at the border.

Ensure that the document you intend to travel on is registered to your UKVI account. If you plan to travel with a different document, update your details accordingly. You can register multiple travel documents, such as a passport and an identity card, to your account.

Biometric ID cards

Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs)

Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) are highly secure polycarbonate cards that contain biometric information and the holder's immigration status. The chip embedded in the card contains the holder's facial image, biographical information, and two finger scans. BRPs are issued to people who are subject to immigration control and have not been granted status under the Withdrawal Agreement. They are valid for the duration of the individual's limited leave or for up to a maximum of 10 years (5 years if the holder is under 16).

BRPs are being replaced by eVisas, which are digital records of an individual's immigration status. However, individuals can continue to use their BRP until it expires, which will be on 31 December 2024 for most cards.

Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs)

Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) are issued to non-EEA nationals who have been granted pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. They are also issued to foreign nationals from outside the EEA who were able to live and work in the UK based on rights derived from EU law before 31 December 2020. The Home Office will stop issuing BRCs from 31 October 2024, and most BRCs will expire at the end of 2024.

Children visiting the UK from France as part of class trips can now legally enter using just national IDs with biometric images. This change in legislation was made to reduce the time and money required for children from the EU to visit the UK on school trips, as they previously needed passports.

Frequently asked questions