Can I travel with a national ID card instead of a passport?
You can use a national ID card for some intra-EU travel and a few other regional routes, but a passport is required for almost all international flights.
Updated
When a national ID card is enough
If you are an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, your national ID card lets you travel freely to other EU, EEA, and Schengen countries. This includes Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and 25+ others.
Regions that accept national ID cards
- EU and Schengen Area (between member states for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens).
- MERCOSUR countries - travel between Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and several associated states using national ID.
- Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) for GCC citizens.
- Some Caribbean regional travel (CARICOM citizens).
When you need a passport
A passport is required for any international travel outside your regional bloc. This includes flights to the UK (after Brexit), the US, Canada, anywhere in Asia, Africa, the Pacific, and most of Latin America.
Importantly, even if you are an EU citizen traveling to a Schengen country, some airlines require a passport for boarding because of operational policy. Always check with your airline before relying on an ID card.
Hotel check-in with an ID card
Most hotels accept a national ID card or a passport, as long as it is a government-issued photo ID. Your trip1 booking confirmation works with either. Hotels in some countries (like Italy) must record either document for tax and police registration.
Can I travel with a national ID card instead of a passport - FAQ
Yes, if you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen travelling within the EU, EEA and Schengen area, where a national ID card is enough. For almost everywhere else, including the UK, the US, Canada and most of Asia and Africa, you need a passport. Some airlines also ask for a passport even on European routes, so check yours first.
Usually not. Most EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, including Polish citizens, need a passport to enter the UK. A valid national ID card is still accepted if you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, an EU Settlement Scheme family permit or a frontier worker permit, or if you are an S2 Healthcare Visitor.
Both prove who you are, but a passport is accepted for international travel worldwide, while a national ID card only works as a travel document within specific regional agreements, such as for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens travelling within Europe. For hotel check-in, most hotels accept either, as long as it is valid government-issued photo ID.
Yes, in most cases. Most hotels accept a national ID card or a passport, as long as it is valid government-issued photo ID, and your trip1 booking confirmation works with either. Hotels in some countries, such as Italy, must record your document details for tax and police registration, so expect them to scan or copy it.