EU: Updated Guidance for Nationals Visiting the U.K. Beginning in 2021

In preparation for the end of the Brexit transition period, the U.K. recently released further guidance around how travel and goods shipment between Britain and the EU will work as of January 1, 2021.

What has changed?

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens with a valid passport will continue to be able to travel to the U.K. for holidays or short trips without requiring a visa. The rules for Irish citizens will remain the same – they will continue to be able to enter and live in the U.K.

Of particular interest to the global business travel and mobility community, the use of an EEA or Swiss national ID card to enter the U.K. will generally no longer be allowed as of October 1, 2021. However, those who can demonstrate one of the following will be allowed to use their national ID cards to enter through at least December 31, 2025:

• They have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
• They have a frontier worker permit
• They are an S2 Healthcare Visitor
• They are a Swiss Service Provider

For non-EEA family members of EEA or Swiss citizens, the documents required to travel to the U.K. will not change until at least 2021, and we continue to await further details from The Home Office on exactly what the new requirements will be.

For further information on entry to the U.K. for EU nationals as of January 2021, please contact the Sterling Lexicon immigration team.