Entry & Visa (Post-Brexit)
Since Brexit: New Rules!
Since October 1, 2021, as an EU citizen, you need a valid passport to enter the United Kingdom — an identity card is no longer sufficient. No visa is required for stays up to 6 months (tourism).
Border Controls
Upon arrival at a British airport, you must go through Border Control. E-Gates (automated passport control) are available for EU citizens with biometric passports — usually faster than the queue at the counter. When entering via Eurostar, British passport control takes place in Brussels/Paris (before departure).
Currency
The United Kingdom has never adopted the Euro — the currency is the British Pound Sterling (£). The best way to exchange money is by credit card (contactless payment works everywhere, even in pubs!) or at an ATM. Currency exchange offices at the airport and on Oxford Street have the worst rates — avoid them!
Tip: A fee-free travel credit card (e.g., DKB, ING, or Revolut) is worth its weight in gold in London — no foreign transaction fees, fair exchange rates, and accepted everywhere.
💡 Tipp
Check the validity of your passport BEFORE the trip! For entry into the United Kingdom, the passport must be valid on the day of entry (no 6-month rule like in some countries). However, an expired passport will be rejected, no matter how friendly you are.
