Can I travel between France and UK with national ID card and not French passport?
EU and UK both have electronic border systems in place
Reader Question: I am a dual French-UK citizen, however my French passport has expired. I want to visit the UK - is it possible to travel using my French national ID card, or do I have to take my French passport with me?
In general you cannot travel outside of the EU/EEA area using only an EU/EEA national ID card, although there are certain exemptions including Switzerland, European microstates such as Monaco, and some Balkan countries that have agreements in place with the bloc.
These exemptions do not extend to the UK, with the exception of EU citizens living in the UK before Brexit and holding 'settled status', meaning that likely you do need a passport to travel there.
The other main exception for this is if you are planning a day-trip to the Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, or Alderney) from France via a ferry service, where you both dock and depart on the same day.
More widely however, UK citizens are now required to enter the country using their UK passport or an Irish passport, or with a third-nation passport that has a certificate of entitlement attached. Irish passports are included due to the UK-Ireland common travel area.
This is because British citizens are not permitted to register with the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA, electronic border security system), which is usally required when travellers enter with foreign passports.
Dual citizens have been told they cannot use their non-UK passport (aside from the exemption detailed above) to enter the country.
For more advice on dual passport holders travelling between the EU and UK, read our article here.
Documentation important for return to France
One reason for renewing your French passport would be your return into France.
If you do not have your documentation to prove your French nationality, you may be registered in the Entry/Exit System (EES).
Accepted documentation is typically a valid passport, however you can also show a valid EU/EEA national ID card alongside your British passport when entering to prove your citizenship status.
If you do not show any valid documentation to prove your dual nationality, French authorities will take biometric details from you (fingerprints and facial photo) and track your entrance to the bloc, registering you on the system.
While is no outright ban on EU citizens entering the Schengen area on a third-nation passport, they have been advised not to, to ensure they are not accidentally registered with the EES, which is only intended to apply to non-EU/non-EEA/non-Swiss temporary visitors to the bloc.
If necessary, you can contact the interior ministry to have incorrect EES registration changed – read how to do so in our article here – but it is best to avoid the scenario.
If travelling only on your UK passport you may also not be able to use the EU citizen lane when arriving in the country, potentially prolonging your arrival time.
