Due to Brexit, free movement for UK citizens travelling to, living and working in the EU has ended on 31 December 2020, as it has also ended for EU citizens coming to the UK. Free movement does no longer apply for EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals travelling to UK.
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 the following: 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 and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
- Learn more about Brexit FAQs, the Brexit new rules, the Immigration rules.