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  • FAQ

    Last updated: August 28th, 2023

    I’m a dual EU / British citizen - which passport (or id card) should I use when booking a return trip from the UK to the EU?

    When you cross any border, you need to prove that you have the right to enter that country, for the stated purpose of entering. See our FAQ on dual citizens entering the UK for more detailed information.


    As a general rule of thumb, we would recommend:

    • When entering and leaving the EU, show your EU passport (or national identity card) to the EU border officers
    • When entering and leaving the UK, show your UK passport to the UK Border Force officer

     

    Note, sometimes both these passport controls can be in the same place, known as juxtaposed border control. For example when you want to travel to France by Eurostar from King’s Cross St Pancras, you will first pass through UK Border control (leaving the UK), and within a few metres you pass through French border control (entering France). You should show your British passport to the first, and your EU identity document to the second. Similarly if you are returning by Eurostar - there are juxtaposed border controls in Paris, Brussels and other stations.

    When it comes to booking the travel ticket itself, you just have to pick one of them. the3million thinks this will likely cause complications once the UK implements its proposed ETA system and the EU implements ETIAS, unless booking systems allow people to enter different travel documents for the outbound and return parts of the journey. 

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