Starting October next year, the United Kingdom will no longer accept European Union (EU) ID cards as a form of identification to enter the country.
EU, European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss national identity cards will be phased out as a valid travel document for entry to the UK, the post-Brexit Border Operating Model published by the government said.
From 1 October 2021, EU, EEA and Swiss nationals will require a passport to travel to the UK.
Security Document World reports this will not apply to those EU, EEA and Swiss nationals whose rights are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement, including those eligible for European Union Settlement Scheme status, frontier workers and joining EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) family members.
These individuals can still use a national identity card for travel until at least 31 December 2025 and thereafter if the cards are compliant with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards.
Regarding visas, the government said it was “the UK’s intention” that EU, EEA and Swiss citizens “taking short trips to the UK, including for tourism, short-term business visits or short-term studies […] will not be required to obtain a visa.”
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