FAQ - EU nationals

• I am Danish. Can I use my Danish driving licence as ID to travel to the UK?

  NO — Usually you'll need either your national ID card or passport, to prove you're an EU national when crossing borders between EU countries.

  A driving licence doesn't count as a travel document — even if you can use it for identification purposes within your country, and even if your country doesn't have official ID cards.

  Border guards may, on rare occasions, let you through with just a driving licence — but don't depend on it.

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• I'm German and live in Italy. Can I travel to Romania using my Italian ID card?  

  NO — What you call your Italian "ID card" is officially just a residence permit; it's not a substitute for your German ID card or passport.

  Border guards may, on rare occasions, let you through with just your Italian residence permit — but don't depend on it.

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• I'm taking my baby on a visit to my parents back in Poland. Does he need to have a travel document of his own?

  YES — Your baby needs an individual travel document for Poland. If you still have an old family passport including your child, this entry is no longer valid for the child since 26 June 2012 when the principle was introduced that every person has to travel with an individual passport or ID card.

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• My 15-year-old son, an EU national, is going to travel with a friend’s family to their summer house in Italy. Will a passport or ID card be enough for this?

  It depends — on the rules in your country and the country where your son is going.

  In some countries, for example, parents have to sign an authorisation before their children can travel abroad without them.

  To be 100% sure, check with the authorities where you live, and the consular services of the country your child is to visit.

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• I'm French and planning a trip to Austria. Do I need to carry a valid travel document with me even though both countries belong to the Schengen area?

  YES — Even though there are no routine border controls between Schengen countries any more, there may still be spot checks — at the border or inside the country.

  But it's not just about border controls — if you're travelling by plane or boat, the carrier is also likely to ask for a valid French ID card or passport, as identification.

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• As an EU national travelling to another EU country, can I be refused entry because I've forgotten my passport or identity card?

  NO — Border guards can't turn you away without giving you reasonable time to have your passport or identity card brought to you.

  And even without them, you should be let through as long as you can provide documentary evidence of your identity and nationality (of an EU country).

  But to play it safe, it's always best to travel with your passport or ID card.

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