What identification documents do I need to travel?

The identification you require will vary by country and depending on your nationality. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have all documentation needed to comply with the requirements of immigration, customs, health and other relevant regulations. You will be unable to travel if you fail to produce the correct documentation.

Identification Documents at a Glance

Travelling Between England and The Netherlands:  Valid Passport with MRZ Code*.  Other passport holders should check with the relevant embassy regarding passport and visa requirements.

Travelling Between Britain and Ireland:  UK and Irish citizens travelling between Britain and Ireland do not need a passport to travel but are advised to take the following as proof of identity. A valid Passport with MRZ code*, Photographic Driving License, Birth Certificate, European ID card with MRZ Code**, National ID card***, International Student Card, Health Insurance/Social Security Photographic ID Card, Photographic Bus/Train Pass or Work ID Card.

Travelling Between Ireland and France: Valid Passport with MRZ Code* or European ID Card with MRZ Code**.  Other passport holders should check with the relevant embassy regarding passport and visa requirements.

Travelling Between Sweden and Denmark:  Valid  Passport with MRZ Code** National ID of EU standard with an MRZ code or Nordic drivers license. For travellers from outside the EU / EEA, a passport with MRZ code is the only valid ID document, even for children.

Travelling Between Sweden, Germany, Poland and Latvia:  Valid Passport with MRZ Code**, or a National Identification Card of EU standard with an MRZ code. 

Vehicular Transport Travelling Between Sweden, Poland and Latvia:  When travelling with a vehicle, a valid vehicle technical passport (original) must be presented at check-in. If a trailer is reserved in the reservation, the technical passport (original) must also be presented for the trailer.

* All UK citizens (including children and infants) must hold a valid passport valid for 3 months after the date of return.

** A machine-readable zone (MRZ) is a code added to the personal data page of an identity document. It usually consists of 1-3 lines of letters and digits, which contain the personal information of the document holder.

*** Issued by an EU member State.

Please note: Identification in digital form is not a valid form of identification when travelling with Stena Line.

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Passenger Travel Documents on Routes Between England and The Netherlands

All EU citizens (including children and infants) travelling to/from England must hold a valid passport valid beyond the date of return.

All UK citizens (including children and infants) travelling to/from the Netherlands must hold a valid passport valid for 3 months after the date of return.

Other passport holders should check with the relevant embassy regarding passport and visa requirements.

Anyone aged 17 or under must travel with a parent or legal guardian aged 18 or over.

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Passenger Travel Documents on Routes Between Britain and Ireland

Irish and UK citizens travelling on our routes between Britain and Ireland do not need a passport to travel but are advised to take a form of proof of identity. A valid passport or Irish passport card, photographic driving license, International Student Card, government issued photographic ID card, health insurance/social security photographic ID card, photographic bus/train pass or work ID card with photo will usually suffice. A birth certificate will provide adequate proof of identity for children (17 years and under with no photographic identification) to travel on our sailings. Non UK/Irish citizens will require a valid passport and a visa where applicable. You should check with the relevant embassy before travelling regarding visa requirements.

Passengers who arrive at our ports in Britain or Ireland without current valid documentation may not be allowed to enter either Britain or Ireland.

Young adults aged 16 & 17 may travel without a parent or legal guardian aged 18 or over but must provide a letter of authority from a parent or legal guardian.

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Passenger Travel Documents on Routes Between Ireland and France

UK citizens travelling to/from Continental Europe must bring a valid passport. Remember that the name on the passport must match the name on the booking otherwise you may not be able to travel and your insurance may be invalid.

A passport for all UK citizens (including children and infants), valid for 3 months beyond the proposed date of return, is required for all trips to Continental Europe. We reserve the right to check and record details of such documentation and to refuse you permission to board if such documentation is not produced to our satisfaction. You will be required to reimburse us in full for any fines, repatriation or other removal costs, detention costs and all related expenses, which we may bear or incur by reason of your failure to produce such documentation to the relevant authorities.

It is important to have your passport close to hand for possible inspection when checking in, embarking the vessel, disembarking the vessel and when entering a country.

EU citizens in possession of an officially recognised European ID Card may use this or a valid Passport with MRZ code when travelling between Ireland and France. In some cases a visa may also be required. Remember that the name on your passport/European Union ID card must match the name on your booking otherwise you may not be able to travel and your insurance may be invalid.

A passport/ European Union ID card for all EU citizens (including children and infants), valid beyond the date of return, is required for all trips to/from France.

Other passport holders should check with the relevant embassy regarding passport and visa requirements.

Anyone aged 17 or under must travel with a parent or legal guardian aged 18 or over.

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Passenger Travel Documents on Routes Between Sweden and Denmark

For travellers from within the EU / EEA a valid passport with MRZ code or a National Identification Card of EU standard with an MRZ code and / or chip, issued by a national authority within the EU / EEA can be used. Nordic citizens may also use a driving license issued in a Nordic country.

This applies to all travellers but children aged under 18 years travelling with a legal guardian are an exception and can travel on their legal guardian's identification.

Please note:

Norwegian bank cards are not a valid form of identification when travelling with Stena Line.

Electronic driving licenses are not a valid form of identification when travelling with Stena Line.

Passengers under the age of 18 travelling without a legal guardian must present a completed and printed power of attorney and valid ID. The authorisation can be downloaded in Danish or English.

For travellers from outside the EU / EEA, a passport with MRZ code is the only valid ID document, even for children.

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Passenger Travel Documents on Routes Between Sweden, Germany, Poland and Latvia

On Stena Line routes between Germany & Sweden, Poland & Sweden, Latvia & Sweden and Germany & Latvia, a valid passport with MRZ code or a National Identification Card of EU standard with an MRZ code and / or chip, issued by a national authority within the EU / EEA can be used. This applies to all travellers, including children. 

The passport or ID Card must be presented at check-in. If you do not have a valid passport or ID card you will not be permitted to travel. 

Anyone aged 17 or under must travel with a parent or legal guardian aged 18 or over.

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Vehicle Travel Documents on Routes Between Sweden, Poland and Latvia

When travelling with a vehicle, a valid vehicle technical passport (original) must be presented at check-in. If a trailer is reserved in the reservation, the technical passport (original) must also be presented for the trailer.

Anyone aged 17 or under must travel with a parent or legal guardian aged 18 or over.

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The above rules are Stena Line's general rules for travelling with our ferries.