Eurostar passengers require a valid passport or identity card. You will pass through UK, French, Dutch or Belgian customs depending on the journey you are undertaking.

Yes, you strictly require a valid passport to board the Eurostar when traveling between the UK and continental Europe (France, Belgium, the Netherlands, or Germany). Since the UK is not part of the Schengen Area, full border controls are in place. As of 2026, British citizens must ensure their passport was issued less than 10 years ago and has at least three to six months of validity remaining from their date of departure. Furthermore, the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is now fully operational, meaning passengers must undergo biometric checks (fingerprints and facial scans) at Eurostar terminals like St Pancras or Gare du Nord. If you are a non-EU citizen who doesn't require a visa (like an American or Australian), you may also need a pre-approved ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) linked to your passport to enter the EU, or an ETA to enter the UK, making the physical passport the essential anchor for all digital travel permissions.