Conditions for entry to the United Kingdom changed after Brexit. The standard Spanish national ID card is no longer valid. Travelling fans require a passport that has been valid for at least six months.
When the chips are down, and everything seems lost Real Madrid somehow always find a way through. Los Blancos did it again last night in the return leg of their Champions League semi-final against Bayern. A goal down and just minutes away from elimination, they defied the odds to score twice in three minutes and book their place in next month’s showpiece in London – the 18th time they have reached the final.
Ancelotti’s team will face Borussia Dortmund on 1 June at Wembley in London, with the aim of clinching their fifteenth European crown.
The club has started the labyrinthine operation to facilitate movement for their fans travelling to the English capital for the final. Madrid has been allocated 25,000 tickets which, as usual, will be distributed, the vast majority at least, to its paid-up club members via a draw if requests exceed the available tickets – which is highly likely.
In an email sent to club members, Madrid reminds fans that anyone who wishes to travel to London to support the team at Wembley must be in possession of a valid passport – the document must a minimum validity of six months from entry into the UK. It means that Spain’s own government-released national identity card (DNI) on its own will not be valid to gain access to the United Kingdom.
Changes to travel after Brexit
The British Government changed the conditions of entry to its territory after Brexit. Since October 2021, it is essential to travel to the United Kingdom with a valid passport. The measure was included within the “new functioning of the British border after the end of the transition period” that culminated with the departure of the country from the European Union.
Spaniards are not the only ones who must travel with a passport to the United Kingdom, but the rule also applies to all those who travel from any country in the European Union, Switzerland or the European Economic Area (countries of the EU, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein). Therefore, all Madrid fans traveling from any of these countries must remember not to forget to bring a valid passport with them.
Exceptions and how to obtain a passport
There are only two exceptions in which a Spanish citizen can continue traveling to the United Kingdom with their DNI card. Those approved for temporary or permanent residence and who are part of the post-Brexit settlement program and cross-border workers can continue to access British soil with their identity document up until 31 December 2025.
However, this will not be the norm among the vast majority of the 25,000 traveling Real Madrid fans who will be heading to London on June 1. So a passport is obligatory. Those who are with a valid passport have just a few weeks to apply for one – bearing in mind that it is not always a simple process. The process from start to finish usually takes around three weeks.
Passport applications can be made at any national police station. You will need to bring along your DNI, proof of residence (rent contract, ultility or phone bill) and a recent passport-sized photograph. There is also a processing fee of 30 euros, which can be paid in cash or by check. Families who meet certain conditions (eg. four or more children – Familia Numerosa) do not have to pay a processing fee. It’s also wise to bear in mind that most police stations operate on an appointment only basis.
