Travelling to other EU Countries.

[kidzer]

Hi folks, I shall be going to a few motor racing events in Europe next year, Belgium and Italy I think it will be.

I've been looking at getting a passport ASAP because of this, and checking yesterday - a first adult passport is £72! (eek, expense!)

I've come across this website; Travelling in Europe - Documents you will need

which suggests travelling from the UK/Ireland to any country that has signed the Schengen agreement allows people to do so just by presenting a passport/Valid ID Card.

Does anyone know what kind of ID card I would need for this, a passport seems rather expensive - I've read much about the governments national ID Card scheme, but I'm sure there is a way to get an ID card right now - is there, and would this ID card be enough to get me into those countries? (if it is cheaper than a passport!)

Cheers,
David

[IBM]

BBC NEWS | Politics | ID card scheme cost put at £5.4bn

£5.4 billion by all accounts

[Funkstar]

Just get a passport, you will need one evertually anyway.

[usxhe190]

kidzer, you need a passport or else you can't get back into the country...

[Sinizter]

There some EU ID card that people seem to use to get to UK from Greece (thats where that person flew from) - didnt need to show passport at the airport.

[usxhe190]

yes but he is an uk citizen..he needs a passport i believe

[Brucelles]

I don't know how to help, but I can tell you that a valid ID card is OK.

I travelled from Luxembourg to London using only my Luxembourg Resident's Card. Admittedly, I went by idiot-mobile (Eurostar) rather than plane, but it was not a problem and certainly wiser than carrying my passport around, when I might need it any day.

This doesn't help you though, as I don't know if there is a valid ID card you can get in the UK that would work.