France and the Netherlands are part of Schengen, UK is not. Travel from London to Paris or London to Amsterdam and you'll have to pass through passport control.

Yes, you definitely need a valid passport to fly from London to Amsterdam. Even though the UK and the Netherlands are neighbors, the UK is not part of the Schengen Area, meaning every passenger must clear immigration. Furthermore, following Brexit, British citizens are "Third Country Nationals" and must have a passport that was issued less than 10 years ago and is valid for at least 3 months beyond their planned departure date from the Netherlands. For EU citizens living in the UK, a national ID card is no longer sufficient for entry into the UK; a passport is required. Additionally, as of 2026, most non-EU travelers (including those from the US, Australia, etc.) now require an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to enter the UK, while the EU is implementing the ETIAS system for entry into the Schengen zone. Always ensure your travel documents are up to date to avoid being denied boarding at the gate.