Entry requirements for the European Union

In principal there are no passport controls when entering countries in the border-free Schengen Area. There are, however, passport controls when leaving by air from a number of countries. For flights to EU countries which are not members of the border-free Schengen Area, please check which documents you need for entry before you leave.
Within the border-free zone known as the Schengen Area, EU citizens are not required to show their passports/IDs when travelling from one country to another.
The following countries are  part of the border-free Schengen Area:
Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Hungary.

Even if you are travelling within the Schengen Area, you are still required to carry a valid passport or ID when you leave or enter German territory.
You have to show a valid passport or ID at the border when travelling to/from Bulgaria, Great Britain/Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Croatia, Romania or Cyprus. Although these countries are members of the EU, they do not belong to the border-free Schengen Area. Please find out before your trip which documents you need outside of your home country or to enter any EU country that you wish to visit, which does not belong to the Schengen Area.

Special notes for Greece, Italy and Spain
In certain countries that belong to the Schengen Area, there are special legal requirements when departing by air. This currently applies to Greece, Italy and Spain. In these countries you have to show your passport/ID when leaving. Please be aware that you may not be allowed to leave these countries if you do not show the required documents.

For further details on travelling within the EU or Schengen Area please refer to the information provided by the Foreign Office » or the European Union ».