What you need to enter the UK

If you’re ana citizen from the EU, EuropeanSwitzerland, EconomicNorway, AreaIceland (EEA) or Swiss citizenLiechtenstein

You will need a valid passport, a valid Irish citizenspassport cancard continueor (in some cases) a valid national identity card in order to enter andthe liveUK. inThis must be valid for the whole time you are in the UK.

Citizens from the EU, EEASwitzerland, andNorway, SwissIceland citizensor Liechtenstein can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without needing a visa. In other cases, find out if you need to apply for a visa to enter the UK.

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Citizens from the EU, EEASwitzerland, andNorway, SwissIceland citizensor Liechtenstein can continue to use the automatic ePassport gates to pass through the border on arrival.

You cannotcan use ana EU,valid EEAnational identity card to enter the UK if oryou’re Swissfrom nationalthe IDEU, cardSwitzerland, toNorway, enterIceland theor UKLiechtenstein unlessand you:

• have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man’s settlement schemesscheme
• have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit, or the equivalent from Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man
• have a frontier worker permit
• are an S2 Healthcare Visitor
• are a Swiss citizen and have a Service Provider from Switzerland visa

InAlternatively, these cases, you can continuealso to use your national ID card to enter the UK until at least 31 December 2025. You will not need an ETA.

If you’re waiting for a decisionvalid on your application for settled or pre-settled status

You can still use your EEA or Swiss national identity card to enter the the UK if if all of the following are true:

• you’ve applied for settled or pre-settled status under the the EU Settlement Settlement Scheme, or Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man’s settlement schemesscheme
• you’ve been issued with confirmation your application is valid
• you’re not applying as a joining family member

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IrishThe citizensposition canin continuerelation to usenational identity cards which are not compliant will be communicated before 31 December 2025.

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• a valid visa
• a ‘visa exemption document’ such as an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
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Before EUyou travel, check that your visa is valid and will not expire before you enter the UK. 

If Settlementyou Schemehave pre-settledonline orproof settledof your immigration status (an eVisa)

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If you’re from a non-EEA country

Your passport (and visa if you have one) will be checked at border control. You’ll usually be asked why you’re coming to the UK. You can use the UK/EEA immigration lanes and the automatic ePassport gates if you’re from:

• Australia
• Canada
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Singapore
• South Korea
• United States

Travelling from within the Common Travel Area (CTA)

The Common Travel Area (CTA) is made up of the UK, Ireland and the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man).

There are different document requirements if you are travelling to the UK within the CTA.

Business travel to the UK

If you’re anfrom the EU, EEASwitzerland, Norway, Iceland or SwissLiechtenstein citizenand travelling to the UK for a short business trip, you may not need to apply for a visa.

Under the UK’s new points-based immigration system, you can continue to visit the UK without applying for a visa. In most cases you can stay for up to 6 months. You may participate in a wide range of activities including business-related activities such as meetings, events and conferences. You may enter the UK multiple times during that period but you may not live in the UK by means of frequent or successive visits.

As a business visitor, you cannot:

• do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person
• do a work placement or internship
• sell directly to the public or provide goods and services

Read more about visiting the UK on a business trip and check whether you need to apply for a visa to carry out your intended activities.

Check the Visitor Rules and see the full list of business and academic activities you can do as a visitor to the UK.

Read more about what you can do when visiting from Ireland or one of the Crown Dependencies and check whether you need to apply for a visa.

Working in the UK or sending employees to work in the UK

If you require citizens from the EU, EEASwitzerland, Norway, Iceland or SwissLiechtenstein citizens(except Irish citizens) to work in the UK for longer than 6 months, they need to apply for a visa. Find out more about working in the UK.

If you employ or intend to employ ana citizen from the EU, EEASwitzerland, Norway, Iceland or SwissLiechtenstein citizen(except Irish citizens) who commutes to the UK, see the guidance for frontier workers.

Trading with the UK

EU businessbusinesses can find out more about trading with the UK.

Commercial goods (merchandise in baggage)

You must tell customs (‘declare’) if you are bringing commercial goods into the UK in your accompanied baggage or small motor vehicle. Commercial goods are things to sell.

You need to make a full customs declaration if you are bringing commercial goods that are any of the following:

• above the total value of £1,500 into Great Britain
• above the total value of £873 into Northern Ireland
• excise, restricted or controlled goods
• weigh above 1,000 kilograms

Check the rules on merchandise in baggage.

Professional qualifications

Find out how to get yourqualifications obtained in the EU, EEASwitzerland, orNorway, SwissIceland qualificationor Liechtenstein recognised in the UK.

School travellers entering the UK

Schools in France

You can visit the UK using the France-UK school trip travel information form.

This allows:

• children who are are citizens from the EU, EEA or, SwissSwitzerland, citizensNorway, Iceland or Liechtenstein to enter with their national identity card instead of a passport
• children who are citizens of other countries to enter without a visa, even if they would normally need one to visit the UK

Children named on the form do not need a visa or an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), whatever their nationality.

Schools in other countries

All schoolchildren need a passport to visit the UK.

Children who are citizens of other countries may also need a visa or an ETA - check if you need a UK visa or ETA.

What you can bring into the UK

Read the updated guidance on:

• how you bring horses to and from the UK
• how you bring endangered plants, animals or their products to and from the UK

Bringing your pet to and from the UK

Find out about pet travel to Europe.

Bringing goods into the UK

Some rules have changed when you bring goods for your own use from the EU to the UK. Find out more about bringing goods into the UK.

Controls on cash

Individuals travelling from the EU to the UK with £10,000 or more in cash will need to make a declaration. Find out about taking cash in and out of the UK.

Healthcare in the UK

EEA and Swiss citizens visiting the UK should check the guidance on healthcare for the latest information on access to NHS healthcare.

Driving in the UK

If you have a non-UK licence

Visitors with a non-UK driving licence can drive in the UK. You do not need an international driving permit (IDP).

If your vehicle is not insured in the UK

If you have vehicle insurance issued in the EU, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland, you should carry an insurance green card or other valid proof of insurance.

To be valid, other proof of insurance must be a document issued by the vehicle insurance provider which includes the:

• name of the insurance provider
• number plate or other identifying particulars of the vehicle
• period of insurance cover

Contact your vehicle insurance provider before you travel.

If your vehicle is insured in a country outside the EU, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland, what you’ll need to do will depend on if your country is a member of the green card system.

If your country is a member, you will need to carry a green card.

If your country is not a member, your vehicle will need UK vehicle insurance.

Using your mobile phone in the UK

How much you pay for calls, texts and mobile data in the UK and the EU will depend on your operator. Please check before you travel.