UK Announces Who May Enter Britain With Just a Valid National Identity Card

• The UK government has published official guidance stating that certain individuals may be able to enter the country using only a national identity card
• The eligibility is tied to the country that issued the national ID card, with a specific group of European nations listed
• The information is available directly on the UK government's official website for travellers to verify before making any travel plans

The United Kingdom has outlined a category of travellers who may not need a passport to gain entry into the country, with the relevant details published on the UK government's official website.

According to the published guidance, certain individuals may be permitted to enter the UK using only a valid national identity card, depending on where that card was issued.

Enter the UK with national ID card

The official guidance specifies that the provision applies to holders of national identity cards issued by EU member states, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The government's wording on the matter reads:

"You may also be able to enter the UK with a national identity card issued by an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein."

This means that nationals of those countries or individuals holding valid ID cards from those nations could potentially use them as their primary travel document when entering the UK, without the need to present a passport.

What travellers should know before arriving

The use of the phrase "may also be able to" in the official guidance is important. It signals that this is not an automatic or guaranteed right for all holders of such documents, and that individual circumstances could affect eligibility. Travellers are therefore advised to consult the UK government's website directly and verify whether their specific situation qualifies before travelling.

For the many Africans considering travel to the UK, including those on the japa wave seeking work, study, or residency opportunities, this guidance is specifically relevant only to individuals who hold identity cards from the listed European nations. African national identity cards are not covered under this provision, and those travellers would still be required to hold a valid passport and the appropriate visa documentation.

Expired passport entry: Türkiye reveals eligible countries

Meanwhile, Legit.ng recently reported that Türkiye published a list of 21 countries whose citizens can enter the country using only their national identity cards.

The policy allows nationals of the listed countries to travel to Türkiye without presenting a passport.