Travel to the UK
If we go on holiday, will we face any problems when coming back to the UK? I am outside the UK – will I be allowed to enter the UK?
Information on this page shows details of the right to enter the UK for those with EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status, waiting for status, joining family members and more.
⚠️ NOTE : IF YOU HAVE APPLIED TO THE EUSS BUT YOU DO NOT YET HAVE ANY STATUS / PERMIT, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AS YOU ARE LIKELY TO BE REFUSED ENTRY AT THE UK BORDER. THIS COULD HAVE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. ⚠️
See this Gov.UK website - Entering the UK under the EUSS and EUSS family permit which gives some helpful information, split into information for EEA/Swiss citizens. and non-EEA/Swiss and for each of those, whether you have status, are still waiting for a decision, or have not made an application.
The rules around the right to enter the UK are very complex and depend on many different pieces of legislation. Factors such as your nationality, whether you were living in the UK before 31st December 2020, whether you put in an application to the EU Settlement Scheme before the 30th June 2021 deadline or not, all play a part.
Note: Even if you are allowed to enter the UK, you may have problems trying to board a flight, train or boat. This is because carriers can be fined or held responsible for returning passengers who are denied entry into the UK. Carriers therefore sometimes appear to make a commercial decision to deny someone boarding even if they would be able to enter the UK. From 25 February 2026, carriers are required to check everyone’s ‘permission to travel’ before allowing them to board. Please see our section below on proving status when boarding.
In our guidance documents we attempt to capture the different situations people are in, and whether they are allowed to enter the UK. Together with Seraphus we have created the two guidance documents below. The first is aimed at passengers, and the second is aimed at advisors.
Travel to UK - guidance for passengers
Travel to UK - guidance for advisors
Questioned at the UK Border?
It is important to read the guidance documents above to determine whether you should travel to the UK (or leave the UK, planning to return), especially for those without status, and for joining family members (i.e. people eligible for status under the EU Settlement Scheme but who were not resident in the UK before 31 December 2020).
The Independent Monitoring Authority have created some videos to explain the processes at the UK Border if you are questioned and/or detained by Border Force officers:
- EEA/Swiss citizens with EUSS status or a valid pending application, travelling with a passport - if you encounter an issue at the eGates, you may be referred to a Border Force Officer. The video will tell you what to expect if this happens.
- EEA/Swiss citizens with EUSS status or a valid pending application, travelling with a national ID card - you will need to queue for the Border Force desk if you are travelling with a national ID card. The video will tell you what to expect.
- EEA/Swiss citizens with an EUSS family permit - you will be referred to a Border Force Officer if you are a citizen with an EUSS family permit. The video will tell you what to expect.
- Non EEA/Swiss citizens (joining family members) with EUSS status, a valid pending EUSS application or an EUSS family permit - Nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and USA are able to use the eGates to enter the UK. However, if this does not apply to you or you’ve encountered an issue, you may be referred to a Border Force Officer. The video will tell you what to expect.
Proving status when boarding
From 25 February 2026, the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme for visitors is set to be fully enforced. This has implications for everyone (not just visitors) because everyone will need to demonstrate that they have permission to enter the UK, before being allowed to board. See the Home Office webpage: No permission, no travel: UK set to enforce ETA scheme which says this “will mean that everyone who wants to come to the UK must have digital permission through either an ETA or an eVisa. Carriers will be checking people before they travel.”
Carriers will check your evisa (your digital immigration status) using computer systems that check your passport or national identity card against the UK eVisa database.
Therefore it is really important to keep your UKVI account updated with your current identity document(s) that you will use for travelling. See our FAQs:
- I’ve renewed my passport. Do I really need to keep my UKVI account / eVisa updated? What happens if I don’t link a new passport or national identity document to my digital status?
- I’ve heard EU citizens now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if they want to travel to the UK. I am an EU citizen with (pre-)settled status under the EUSS - what does this mean for me?
- I live in the UK and am trying to travel home. The airline is refusing to allow me to board my flight. What can I do?
The Home Office has some guidance here:
National identity cards
EEA/Swiss citizens with (pre-)settled status are entitled to enter the UK with their national identity card, however some EU countries including Sweden are insisting people need a passport to depart from their country to the UK.
See our FAQ I have (pre-) settled status. Can I use my EU national identity card to enter the UK? , which also contains important information about use of national identity cards after 31 December 2025.
See also our FAQ I have applied for (pre-) settled status and am awaiting confirmation. Can I use my EU national identity card to enter the UK? if you’ve applied for EUSS status but are still waiting for a decision.
Dual British/EU citizens
If you are a dual British/EU citizen, you are strongly advised to apply for a British passport if you have not already done so, and to carry it with you when you travel to the UK.
However, if you were granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme before naturalising to become a dual British citizen, then you are not required to get a British passport if you don't want to. See see GOV.UK guidance on Dual Citizenship, the section entitled "When you can travel with another passport or national identity card". Make sure your passport / national id card is linked to your eVisa however.
See our FAQ I am an EU citizen and after I got settled status I naturalised as a British citizen. I do not have a British passport. Can I travel to and enter the UK on my EU passport? for more information. See also the Home Office guidance: Electronic travel authorisation (ETA): guide for dual citizens.
Updating your digital status with your travel document
When you get a new passport or national identity card, you should update your digital status with your new identity document.
See our FAQ I’ve renewed my passport. Do I really need to keep my UKVI account / eVisa updated? What happens if I don’t link a new passport or national identity document to my digital status? for more information.
