Does your passport get stamped on Eurotunnel?

Passport Stamps at the Eurotunnel Post-Brexit: A New Reality for UK Citizens

The Eurotunnel, a vital link between the UK and mainland Europe, now plays a different role in the post-Brexit travel landscape. Previously, UK citizens enjoyed the freedom of movement, traversing the tunnel without the formality of passport stamps. However, this era has ended. Since the UK’s departure from the European Union, UK citizens are now required to have their passports stamped when entering and exiting the EU via the Eurotunnel, a reflection of the new border control procedures necessitated by the loss of free movement rights.

This new requirement applies not just to the UK’s travel to France or Belgium, but also to the wider Schengen Area. The Schengen Area, comprising several European countries, previously didn’t impose passport checks on UK nationals. Now, all UK travellers traversing the Eurotunnel, and by extension the Schengen Area, face the same border control procedures as citizens of countries outside the EU.

The change is a tangible example of the altered relationship between the UK and the EU after Brexit. While the Eurotunnel itself hasn’t changed, the regulations governing its use for UK citizens have. This necessitates careful planning and preparation for UK travellers, ensuring that their passports are in order and reflect the updated travel documentation requirements.

This shift in procedure signals a return to traditional border checks, impacting travel time and potentially adding to the administrative burden on travellers. While the logistical details of the stamps themselves may seem minor, the change underscores the practical implications of Brexit on everyday travel. This is an area where those accustomed to the frictionless travel of the pre-Brexit era will need to adapt to the new norms.