The UK no longer applies EU rules on free movement, which allow EU nationals to travel freely with a valid passport or an identity card. As an EU national, the entry documents required when travelling to the UK will differ according to whether you have a residence status in the UK under the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement (EU Settlement Scheme), or not.
What is your situation?
I am an EU national with UK Settled or Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme
Travel to the UK
If you have UK Settled or Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you can continue to enter the UK with a valid passport or identity card. Your non-EU family members who also have UK settled or pre-settled status can enter the UK with a valid passport and may be required to present their UK-issued biometric residence card or an EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) travel permit.
Warning
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.
Travel to an EU country
As an EU national, you have the right to travel to any EU country with a valid passport or ID card. Your non-EU family members may need an entry visa, depending on their nationality. Read more about travelling in the EU with your non-EU family members and how to apply for a visa if they need one. Residence cards for non-EU family members previously issued by the UK under the EU rules on free movement are no longer valid.
I am an EU national without any status under the UK's EU Settlement Scheme
To enter or transit the UK you will need a valid passport, which must be valid for the duration of your stay in the UK. ID cards are not accepted. As a rule, the UK does not require a visa for short stays up to six months for tourism and business, but check the rules that apply to your situation before you travel.
I need help
If you think that your rights under EU law are not being respected and you need advice, contact our assistance service.
You can report a breach of your rights under the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement to the UK Independent Monitoring Authority
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EU Settlement Scheme and Travel to the UK
If you have UK Settled or Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you can continue to enter the UK with a valid passport or identity card. Your non-EU family members who also have UK settled or pre-settled status can enter the UK with a valid passport and may be required to present their UK-issued biometric residence card or an EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) travel permit .
Changes in UK Entry Requirements
Starting from 2026, the UK will no longer accept ID cards as an entry document if they do not comply with applicable international standards related to biometric identification.
Travel to an EU Country
As an EU national, you have the right to travel to any EU country with a valid passport or ID card. However, your non-EU family members may need an entry visa depending on their nationality. It is recommended to read more about traveling in the EU with non-EU family members and how to apply for a visa if needed. Please note that residence cards for non-EU family members previously issued by the UK under the EU rules on free movement are no longer valid.
Traveling to the UK without EU Settlement Scheme Status
If you are an EU national without any status under the UK's EU Settlement Scheme, you will need a valid passport to enter or transit the UK. The passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in the UK. ID cards are not accepted. Generally, the UK does not require a visa for short stays up to six months for tourism and business. However, it is important to check the rules that apply to your specific situation before you travel .
Reporting a Breach of Rights
If you believe that your rights under EU law are not being respected, you can contact the assistance service for advice. Additionally, you can report a breach of your rights under the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement to the UK Independent Monitoring Authority.
Please note that the information provided above is based on the content you shared and the search results snippets. For more detailed and up-to-date information, it is always recommended to refer to official government sources or consult with relevant authorities.
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