VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Identity Cards: Overseas Visitors

Asked by Steve DarlingLiberal DemocratHome OfficeTabled Answered 2 December 2025UIN 95265

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to extend arrangements allowing UK-bound group travellers to use national identity cards to other major sending countries such as Italy, Spain and Switzerland.

Answered by Mike Tapp

EU national children are permitted to use their national identity cards instead of a passport when travelling to the UK as part of an organised French school group accompanied by documentation which has been authenticated by the relevant French authorities. This scheme has been in operation since 10 March 2023. A similar scheme is planned for German school groups.

The UK currently has no plans to extend the current arrangements allowing French and German groups to use national identity cards to other countries.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim