Among the various consequences of Brexit, the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union on January 1, 2021, there is also one that concerns the tourist travel of European citizens. Until 1 October it was possible for a citizen of a country of the European Union to go to the United Kingdom by showing only their identity card at the airport. Since October 1st, however, a new British government regulation has come into force which obliges most European citizens who want to visit the United Kingdom to have a passport to enter the country.
Under the new legislation, citizens of all 27 countries of the European Union, plus those of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway (countries that are not part of the European Union), can go to the United Kingdom without the need for a visa. remaining in the country for a maximum of 6 months. However, at the border crossing at the airport they will need to show a passport that is valid for the entire time they intend to stay in the UK.
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It is not possible to enter the country with an identity card valid in your country of origin, unless you belong to one of these categories:
– Persons who have received the Settled status, the permanent residence permit to which anyone who has resided in the United Kingdom for at least 5 years is entitled, or the Pre-Settled status, a temporary permit granted pending the accrual of the requirements to obtain the permanent one.
– People who have applied for the Pre-Settled status or for the Settled status but who have not yet received the certificate.
– People who have obtained a permit to reunite with a family member living in the UK.
– People who have a border work permit.
– Persons who have received a permit of S2 Healthcare Visitor, i.e. persons authorized to receive specialist health care in the UK or accompanying a person who falls into this category.
– Swiss nationals who have a special permission dedicated to those who work for a Swiss company that also operates in the United Kingdom.
The British government website specifies that the procedure that allows these categories of people to enter the country with an identity card is only guaranteed until 31 December 2025. All people who do not fall into these categories must already present the passport to enter the UK.
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