Brexit: European nationals warned of change in travel rules when visiting UK in future

European nationals have been warned that the rules to enter the UK will change in autumn next year, meaning ID cards will no longer be accepted at the border.

We are phasing out the use of national identity cards as a valid travel document. From 1 October 2021, most EU, EEA and Swiss nationals will require a passport to travel to the UK.

➡️ https://t.co/OdGkDdvRbK pic.twitter.com/DrpQkVW8q0

— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) October 8, 2020

However there will be some exceptions.

The Home Office states that these nationals can continue to use national ID card to enter the UK until at least 31st December 2025 if they:

• 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

“You can still enter the UK using a passport which expires in less than 6 months,” the Home Office states.

Europeans have been told that after the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31st, 2020 they will still be able to travel to the UK without needing a visa if they are arriving for a short stay or holiday.

The end of the transition period will also have an impact for British nationals who wish to travel in the EU after January 1st 2020.

Until the end of the transition period British nationals can travel freely throughout Europe and must only make sure their passport is valid for the duration of their trip.

However the rules are stricter after January 1st.

“From January 1st 2021, you must have at least six months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland),” the UK government says.