Guidance

Entering the UK as the holder of an Article 10 or 20 residence card

Updated 31 December 2020

From 1 January 2021 you can no longer use an Article 10 or 20 residence card issued by an EEA member state to travel to the UK if you’re accompanying your EEA citizen family member to the UK, or joining them in the UK.

You will need a valid national passport, together with one of the following:

  • an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
  • a UK-issued EEA family permit
  • a UK-issued biometric residence card

Article 10 or 20 residence card

An Article 10 residence card is a document which is issued under EU law (‘the Free Movement Directive’) by EEA member states to non-EEA family members of EEA citizens who are exercising free movement rights in a member state other than that of their nationality. For example, the non-EEA spouse of a French citizens who is living and working in Italy may be issued with an Article 10 residence card by the Italian authorities.

An Article 10 residence card should feature the wording ‘Residence Card of a Family Member of a Union Citizen’. Another document, a ‘Permanent Residence Card of a Family Member of a Union Citizen’ may also be issued under Article 20 of the directive.

Applying for an EEA family permit or an EU Settlement Scheme family permit

If you hold a valid Article 10 or Article 20 residence card, you may be able to apply for an EEA family permit or an EUSS family permit.

These applications are free of charge and will help facilitate your entry to the UK.

Find more information about how to apply for an EEA family permit or an EUSS family permit.