Travel documents
Which documents do I need to travel?
Before you travel, please check you have the relevant valid travel documents. We strongly recommend checking the latest government advice before you travel – from both the country you’re departing from, and the country you’re travelling to.
Babies and children must have their own valid travel documents.
Passports
Your British passport must:
- be valid for the length of your stay in Europe
- have at least three months validity left from the date you intend to leave the EU
- be less than 10 years old
Check that you have a clear page in your passport, as it will need to be stamped with your travel date when you’re travelling to and from the EU.
If you don’t have a passport yet or your passport needs renewing, please ensure you submit your application well ahead of your intended journey. You can check passport processing times on the UK government website. You won't be allowed to travel if you haven't received your passport in time for your journey.
See if your passport needs renewing.
Visas
You don’t need a visa for short trips to EU countries of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you visit more than one of these countries within a 180-day period, check that you do not spend more than 90 days in total across all the countries that you visit. That is because most of these countries apply the 90-day limit as a group. You may need a visa for longer stays or when travelling for work or business. Find out more.
Additional border information for UK citizens living in the UK
If your main residence is in the EU, you won't need to get your passport stamped as long as you carry your EU residence permit when you travel. If you cannot prove that you are an EU resident, you may be asked additional questions by border authorities and your passport may be stamped before you enter the Schengen area.
Travel & European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC)
UK citizens can no longer apply for a new European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC card, your card will continue to be valid until its expiry date. Once it expires, you'll need to apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which provides access to state healthcare in the EU. EHIC and GHIC do not replace travel insurance. It is strongly recommended to take travel insurance with medical cover when travelling abroad.
Passports are mandatory for all passengers travelling to the UK (including children).
Your passport doesn’t need to be valid for a minimum number of months to travel, as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay in the UK. If you don’t have a passport yet or your passport needs renewing, please ensure you submit your application well ahead of your intended journey. You won't be allowed to travel if you haven't received your passport in time for your journey.
Do you live in the UK with settled or pre-settled status?
You can continue to use your national ID card to travel until 31 December 2025. If you have both a valid passport and a valid identity card, it’s a good idea to travel with the document linked to your settled or pre-settled status. And if you have a new passport and your pre-settled or settled status is linked to your previous ID document, remember to update your passport details in your UK Visa and Immigration account. It will speed up the process at border control, by removing the need for additional checks. Find out more.
School groups
The List of Travellers scheme is no longer available for school groups travelling from the EU to the UK. All EU children need to carry their own valid passport to be able to travel.
Visas
You can continue to travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without a visa. For longer stays, EU citizens may need a visa.
Passports
You need a valid passport to travel between the UK and the EU.
Visas
Please read the information from the embassy of your destination country before you travel.
- When travelling to the UK, check the UK government’s website to see if you need a visa.
- When travelling to France, check the French government’s website to see if you need a visa.
- When travelling to Belgium, check the EU visa website to see if you need a visa.
- When travelling to the Netherlands, check the EU visa wesbite to see if you need a visa.
School groups
Children who are neither UK nationals, nor EU, EEA or Swiss nationals need a visa to travel to the UK as part of a school group. Find out more
Unaccompanied minors (up to the age of 18) will require additional documentation for travel. Please read the relevant section below and we also strongly recommend checking the latest government advice before you travel – from both the country you’re departing from, and the country you are travelling to.
Children under 12 years old:
Children under 12 must travel with a responsible person aged 16 or older.
Children 12 to 15 years old (inclusive):
Children 12 to 15 (inclusive) can travel on their own to some Eurostar destinations, as long as they’ve got a fully completed Eurostar unaccompanied minor form and only travel on trains departing between 06.00 and 17.00 local time. The form must be signed by their parent or legal guardian (or by a responsible adult given consent by the parent or legal guardian) at the station in the presence of a member of the Eurostar team. The child will need to keep this signed form with them throughout their journey and show it to the onboard team if they’re asked.
When the parent or legal guardian gives written consent for the young person to travel, they accept and agree that the young person will travel unaccompanied and be treated as an adult passenger (i.e., the young person will not be supervised by a member of the Eurostar staff) for the entirety of the trip. The responsible person must also ensure arrangements are in place for the young person to be met on arrival.
Please note: Children under 16 years of age cannot travel unaccompanied on our direct trains to or from the Netherlands.
Documents your child will need:
- Eurostar ticket
- Passport
- Eurostar unaccompanied minor form signed by parent
Additional requirements for French residents
As above, plus:
- Authorisation des sorties de territoire (AST) form signed by parent
- Photocopy of the identity card or passport of the parent who has signed the AST form.
Minors 16 and 17 years old:
16 to 17-year-olds can travel by themselves, as long as they’ve got all the usual travel documents and meet all the legal requirements.
Documents your child will need:
- Eurostar ticket
- Passport
Additional requirements for French residents
As above, plus:
- Authorisation des sorties de territoire (AST) form signed by parent
- Photocopy of the identity card or passport of the parent who has signed the AST form.