To board a plane you need a valid photo ID: for EU citizens flying within Europe, a valid national identity card or passport; for most countries outside the EU, a passport and sometimes a visa or electronic travel authorisation. Which document is enough depends on where you are going, your nationality and your airline's own rules. Here is how to work it out and where to check before you fly.
Which ID do you need at the airport?
You will usually be asked for ID at least twice: by the airline (at the desk or the gate, even after checking in online) and, when you cross an external border, at passport control. Flights to, from or within Ireland and the UK always involve a border check, because neither is in the Schengen area. The general picture for EU citizens is this:
| Trip | Usually required | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic flight | Valid photo ID accepted by the airline | The airline's list of accepted documents |
| Within the EU and Schengen | Valid national ID card or passport | That it is valid on the day you travel |
| To or from Ireland and Cyprus | National ID card or passport | There is always a border check |
| Outside the EU | Usually a passport, sometimes with a visa or travel authorisation | The remaining validity your destination requires |
| Children | Their own travel document | Any parental consent letter the countries involved require |
A driving licence, bank card or birth certificate is not a travel document. Ryanair, for example, only accepts a valid passport or national identity card and does not accept a driving licence or birth certificate for travel to any destination, so the rules can be stricter than people expect even on a short hop such as Dublin–London.
Nationality and destination decide
EU citizens can move freely around the EU with a valid national ID card or passport. For everyone else, and for trips to the UK or outside the EU, entry rules depend on the passport you hold and can change, so always check the official advice for your nationality: GOV.UK foreign travel advice for British citizens, the Department of Foreign Affairs travel advice for Irish citizens, and the embassy of your destination for everyone else.
How to check your ID before you travel
- Check the expiry date: the document must be valid on the day of travel, and many non-EU countries want several months left. If it has run out, read our guide on flying with an expired document.
- Check the document type: passport or national ID card, never a driving licence.
- Read the official travel advice for your destination and nationality.
- Read your airline's travel document rules: they can be stricter than border rules.
- Use the same document you entered at online check-in, outbound and return.
- Renew early: passport offices get busy before the summer.
If you are refused boarding because of your ID
If your document is not valid or not accepted for the destination, the airline can refuse to let you board. That is not overbooking: Regulation EC 261/2004 treats inadequate travel documents as reasonable grounds for denied boarding, so no compensation is due and the ticket is usually lost. If your passport is lost or stolen abroad, see our guide on flying with a temporary travel document.
It is a different story if your papers are in order and you are bumped because the flight is full, or the flight arrives 3 hours or more late, or is cancelled with less than 14 days' notice: you may then be owed €250, €400 or €600 per passenger. Our overbooking compensation page explains the rules. With DelayFlight24 you can check for free in 2 minutes whether you are owed compensation: you pay nothing upfront and our fee is 25% + VAT only if you get compensated.
Frequently asked questions about ID at the airport
Can I fly within Europe with just an ID card?
EU citizens can travel within the EU and Schengen with a valid national ID card. Check your airline's rules too, and use a passport for non-EU destinations.
Is a driving licence enough for a domestic flight?
It depends on the airline, which decides which documents it accepts. Ryanair, for example, does not accept a driving licence for any destination.
Do children need their own passport?
Yes, every child needs their own travel document. Some countries also ask for a consent letter if a child travels with one parent or another adult.
Do I need a passport to fly from Dublin to London?
Airlines require photo ID they accept, and on many routes that means a passport or national ID card. Check your airline's list and the official advice for your nationality.
Will I get compensation if I am refused boarding over my ID?
No, refusal because of inadequate travel documents does not give a right to compensation. Being bumped from a full flight with valid ID does.
Work out your compensation now
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Find out more
- Air passenger rights
- Delayed flight: when you can claim compensation
- Cancelled flight: refund and compensation
- Overbooking: what you are owed
- What our service costs
Article updated on 22/10/2026 by the DelayFlight24 editorial team.