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Open Accept all valid biometric EU/EEA/CH national identity cards for entry to the UK

Created by Nicholas Hodder
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On 1 October 2021, the UK ceased accepting visitors' EU/EEA/CH national identity cards for UK entry, even very secure biometric cards. We want to reverse this decision & configure the UK's passport e-gates & the ETA system to accept all biometric EU/EEA/CH national identity cards and passport cards

Since 1 October 2021, it has been reported that the UK has suffered an enormous fall in inbound tourism from EU/EEA/CH citizens who have identity cards but not passports. Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1208 requires identity cards issued since 2 August 2021 to conform to a common format specified by ICAO Document 9303, including a biometric chip and machine-readable zone, making them secure and compatible with e-gates. The Home Office says it costs an estimated 75p more to process an entry to the UK at a desk compared to an e-gate.

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    This petition will stay open until 14 March 2027.