Going to Bruge

[PurpleParis]

Do I have to have a 10 year passport to go to Bruge or is there an alternative...the holiday is being paid for me...all i have to do is get a passport...but to be honest money is quite tight and a passport is over £70...could someone advise please? I think its a coach trip thing....

[Buenchico]

Sorry, but (assuming that you're a British citizen, travelling from the UK) you must have a passport to travel to any other country (except the Republic of Ireland). The only exception is if you live or work in the North West of England (or work airside at London City Airport - see below.

The European Union has always permitted free movement between its member states upon the presentation of either a passport or a national identity card but, since the UK has yet to introduce ID cards for the majority of the population, that means that you require a passport to enter Belgium unless you meet the rquirements (outlined above) for a £30 ID card:
http://idsmart.direct.gov.uk/index.html

It was always planned that passport controls would be abolished across the whole of the European Union. This has now come about across 25 of the 27 member states, as well as in a few other countries, under the Schengen Agreement. If you were starting your journey to Belgium from any other Schengen country (such as Spain or Latvia) you wouldn't require a passport or ID card to enter Belgium (although the carrier might still demand ID, such as a driving licence, on security grounds). That would apply irrespective of whether you were Spanish, Latvian, British, Australian, American or anything else.

The UK is the ONLY member of the European Union which refuses to become full signatory to the Schengen Agreement. (Ireland would like to sign but can't unless it closes its border between the Republic and Northern Ireland). Our politicians are too scared of the potential outcry in newspapers like the Mail and Express if they decided to join Schengen. So (unlike the citizens of other EU countries) you're forced to buy a passport if you want to travel abroad.

Chris

[dzug]

Just to add to what Chris says, many years ago (15 plus) there was a thing called a British Visitors Passport for trips to Europe. It was abolished in 1995 but it's surprising how many people think it still exists

[coccinelle]

It does seem really unfair that British Citizens need to pay so much for a passport whilst French identity cards are free.

[Dee Sa]

You wont be able to leave the UK without a pasport, but as it lasts 10yrs, if you look on it that it works out £7 per year that doesnt seem too bad and you can use it for ID purposes, but I agree that if money is tight then its a lot to fork out. I hate to put a damper on your trip but I went on a day trip to Brugge last summer and though a lovely old town everything was mega expensive even the meals.
Dont forget to fill in the form for emergency medical treatment whilst there at least that is free.
Hope you have a nice time.

[dzug]

<<emergency medical treatment whilst there at least that is free. >>

The card may be free but the treatment isn't necesssarily. Most things you pay for and claim some (but not all of it) back. Insurance as well is a good idea.