Please note that your passport must be valid for the entirety of your stay in the UK.
There are exceptions which, if they apply, will allow certain EU, EEA and Swiss nationals to continue to use their national ID card to travel to the UK up until at least 31 December 2025. In order for this to apply, you must fall under one of the following categories listed below:
You hold Settled or Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme
If you hold Settled or Pre-Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you can enter the UK using the ID document linked to your status (i.e. your passport or ID card). This must be the same ID document that you used to apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
To avoid delays at the border, if you obtain a new ID document, we strongly advise that you update your ID document on the online account before you travel to the UK so that it matches the ID document which you will use when entering the UK. You can update your information under the EU Settlement Scheme.
You have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme before the 30 June 2021 deadline but have not yet received a decision
If you have made an application under the EU Settlement Scheme before the 30th of June 2021 deadline, but have not yet received a decision, you may continue to use your national ID card when travelling to the UK after 1 October 2021, whilst your application remains pending. Please note that you may also continue to travel during this period.
You have been issued with an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit
If you hold a family permit under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may enter the UK using your EU, EEA, or Swiss national ID card after 1 October 2021. Once you enter the UK, you will be able to make an application under the EU Settlement Scheme to remain in the UK after the expiry of your family permit. Gherson Immigration team can advise and assist on applications made under the Home Office’s EU Settlement Scheme. Should you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
You have a frontier worker permit
If you hold a Frontier Worker Permit under the Frontier Worker Permit Scheme, you may also continue to travel to the UK using your EU, EEA or Swiss national ID card after 1 October 2021.
If you are an S2 Healthcare Visitor
If you are entering the UK as an S2 Healthcare Visitor, i.e. you have been authorised to receive planned healthcare in the UK under the ‘S2 arrangement’ or you are joining someone who is an S2 Healthcare Visitor, you may continue to use your EU, EEA or Swiss national ID card when entering the UK after 1 October 2021.
If you are a Swiss national and you hold a Service Provider from Switzerland visa
Those with status under this category may also continue to use their Swiss national ID card for travel to the UK after 1 October 2021.
Additionally, British nationals may continue to use a Gibraltar identity card when entering the UK. Irish citizens can also continue to use a passport card for travel to the UK beyond the 1st of October 2021.
How Gherson can assist
Gherson has extensive experience in all aspects of UK immigration law. If you have any queries relating to the blogs published or are interested in talking to us about your specific circumstances, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
©Gherson 2021