Petition · past parliament · Home Office
Seek visa-free travel to Europe for BRP holders
Closed
25,639 signatures
What the petition asks
The problem is that holders of a UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), who are non-EU citizens, cannot currently travel to Europe using their BRP cards as a valid travel documents.
A BRP is a biometric residence permit that is issued by the UK Government to foreign nationals who have been granted permission to reside in the UK for more than six months. The BRP serves as evidence of a person's right to stay and work in the UK.
Currently, UK citizens and citizens of some countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan, do not require a visa to enter most European countries for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Currently, UK citizens and citizens of some countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan, do not require a visa to enter most European countries for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Government response · 14 June 2023
There are no plans to lobby the EU to remove the need for all non-EU/EEA citizens, including UK citizens, to carry a valid passport when visiting the Schengen area. This is not a visa issue.
The EU’s position on valid travel documents is that all non-EU citizens seeking to enter the Schengen area, including for visits up to 90 days within a 180-day period, must present and carry a valid passport. This applies to UK citizens as well as to all other non-EU citizens. The entry requirements are contained in the Schengen Borders Code and individual country information.
The UK’s biometric residence permit (BRP) is a secure immigration document which enables foreign nationals to travel to the UK and prove their right to stay, work or study in the UK. It can also be used as a form of identification within the UK. However, it is not recognised by the EU as a valid travel document. It is a matter for the EU and EU Member States to decide whether they are prepared to accept documents that are not valid passports in lieu of their normal entry requirements.
Visas are a separate issue to travel documents. The EU requires a visa before entering the Schengen Area for all of the citizens of countries set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, Annex 1.
Home Office
The UK’s biometric residence permit (BRP) is a secure immigration document which enables foreign nationals to travel to the UK and prove their right to stay, work or study in the UK. It can also be used as a form of identification within the UK. However, it is not recognised by the EU as a valid travel document. It is a matter for the EU and EU Member States to decide whether they are prepared to accept documents that are not valid passports in lieu of their normal entry requirements.
Visas are a separate issue to travel documents. The EU requires a visa before entering the Schengen Area for all of the citizens of countries set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, Annex 1.
Home Office
Timeline
| 27 Mar 2023 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 17 May 2023 | Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response |
| 14 Jun 2023 | Government responded |
| 27 Sep 2023 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
25,639
Status
Closed
Department
Home Office
Opened
27 Mar 2023
Closed
27 Sep 2023
Response
14 Jun 2023
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.