Travel without passport?

Question

is it possible to travel within the EU without a passport as i am a resident in the UK and have been invited to belgium next week. i dont have a passport but i was told i could use my photo driving liscence? is this possible or what other kind of ID could i use

Answer 1

As you can't get ID in UK, you will need valid passport, driving licence won't do.
http://www.diplomatie.be/en/travel/traveldocsforeigndetail.asp?COUNTRYID=11
Now, probably you won't have any problems boarding the plane in UK, because there driving licence is acceptable as ID, but you might have problems coming back with plain. Try to get emergency passport from your embassy (many governments issue this temporary, few pages 1-trip passport or just temporary travel document for emergency travel), you should be able to get it in one day.

Answer 2

It depends a lot on the way you travel, if you go the easy and comfortable way, yes, you do need a passport or a similar identity card to get in and out of the UK to europe mainland, however, you can also travel in illegal ways, ways i can't discuss around here, they are usually cheap though, might require some labour, but are in no way comfortable.
On the bright side, if you get caught, either your stay abroad will be longer at no cost, or you get free transport home :).

Anyways, needed or not, my advice is to always use a passport or an identitycard to prevent misunderstandings, police in Belgium are usually stupid and have long toes.

A driving license is never a valid id for border crossing

Answer 3

In principle, as an EU citizen, you should not need your passport to travel within the EU. However, how do you prove you are an EU citizen without it?
So in practice, you may find it tougher getting into other countries or back into the UK without it, particularly given the current security fears.
Your photo driving license *may* suffice but don't take it for granted. I would check with the Belgian Embassy - http://www.belgium.be/eportal/index.jsp
If you are going to get a passport, now is a good time, as the charges go up in October!

Answer 4

You need to get a passport, they won't let you in the country without it, these days, they don't even let you back from Mexico, even. Especially Europe , due to security measures. You need to be sure and have one. Your drivers license is only a valid method of ID in your country not in the US, since you are not a resident.

Answer 5

Check with a travel agency to find out what identification is required. Most all countries now require a Valid Passport to travel to different countries.

Answer 6

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/belgium/essential?a=borders

Or check the visitor's website for Belgium. Personally, I don't travel anywhere without a passport.

Answer 7

Visit your local main post office - get a form and fill it in in a day - get your 'reference' done too (by a person in authority) and gets your photos done - then run back to the main post office by the end of the day and use their 'passport checking service'.

Once done - get yourself to your nearest Passport office - and you will have to wait - it will be issued the same day.

A painful process but it works.

Answer 8

ENGLAND IS NOT IN THE AGREEMENT FOR FREE TRAVEL IN THE EU YOU WILL NEED A PASSPORT TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE UK EXCEPT EIRE
SO NO PASSPORT NO GO

Answer 9

Why dont you phone the passport office or the travel agent.

Answer 10

No you will need a passport as far as i n, my brother was flying from glasgow to london and wasn't allowed on the plane as he didn't have a passport