Can I travel to the UK with my ID card or driving licence?

viaggiare nel Regno Unito con la mia carta d'identità o patente

From 1 October 2021, those travelling with their EU or Swiss identity card will no longer be able to enter the UK unless they have their valid passport on arrival.

Please note that your passport must be valid for the entire period of your stay in the UK.

Among the new travel requirements is the eTA UK online travel authorization, which is thought to be applicable from 2025 to all traveling visa-free to the UK.

There are exceptions to the passport requirement which, if applicable, will allow certain EU and Swiss citizens to continue to use their identity card to travel to the UK until at least 31 December 2025.

These categories, listed below, are exempt from showing a passport:

You hold regularised status or in the process of being regularised under the framework agreements with the EU

If you have ‘Settled‘ or ‘Pre-Settled‘ status under agreements with the EU, you can enter the UK using the ID associated with your status (i.e. your passport or ID card).

It must be the same ID you used to apply for status under the EU settlement system.

To avoid delays at the border, if you obtain a new ID, we strongly recommend that you update it on your online account before returning to the UK so that your immigration details are up to date.

In other words, the ID you use when you enter the UK will have the same number as it appears on your open file with British immigration.

Please note that it is possible to update the dossier information under the EU Settlement Scheme.

You applied to the EU Settlement Scheme before the deadline of 30 June 2021 but have not yet received a decision

If you have submitted an application under the EU Settlement Scheme before the deadline of 30 June 2021, but have not yet received a response, you can continue to use your national identity card when travelling to the UK after 1 October 2021.

This is valid for the entire period that your application remains pending.

Please note that it is possible to continue travelling during this period.

Londra, Inghilterra

You have been granted a family permit under EU regulations. If you hold a family permit under the EU regulation scheme, you can enter the UK using your EU or Swiss identity card even after October 1, 2021. Once you have entered the UK, you can submit an application under the framework agreements with Europe and then remain in the UK after the family permit expires. We recommend seeking advice from a reputable immigration lawyer.

You have a cross-border worker permit 

If you hold a cross-border worker permit under the cross-border worker permit scheme, you can continue to travel to the UK using your EU or Swiss national identity card after October 1, 2021.

If you are a type S2 health visitor

If you are entering the UK as an S2 Health Visitor, i.e. you have been authorised to receive scheduled healthcare in the UK under the ‘S2 Agreement’ or you are joining someone who is an S2 Health Visitor, you can continue to use your EU or Swiss ID when you are preparing to enter the UK after 1 October 2021.

If you are a Swiss citizen and hold a visa as a service provider

If you are entering the UK as an S2 Health Visitor, i.e. you have been authorised to receive scheduled healthcare in the UK under the ‘S2 Agreement‘ or you are joining someone who is an S2 Health Visitor, you can continue to use your EU or Swiss ID when you are preparing to enter the UK after 1 October 2021.

If you are a Swiss citizen and hold a visa as a service provider.

Those who fall into this category can also continue to use their Swiss national identity card to travel to the UK after 1 October 2021.

Finally, British citizens residing in Gibraltar can continue to use a Gibraltar ID card when entering the UK.

Irish citizens can also continue to use an identity document other than a passport to travel to the UK beyond 1 October 2021.