EES · ETIAS — Last checked 5 November 2026

Travelling with children: which documents do you need?

Answer a few questions about the child and the trip. You get a personal checklist with official links for every country on your route.

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What you get

Travel with children without surprises at the border

  • Which documents your child needs for this route
  • Consent letters and national rules per country
  • Honest colours: green, orange, red or verify
  • Official links for every country on your route
Start now, it’s free ↓

Why this is confusing

No single EU ruleYour Europe says it plainly: there are no EU rules on parental consent. Each country decides.
Exit and entry both countThe country you leave, the country you go to and countries you pass through can each have rules.
Airlines ask tooCarriers can ask for a consent letter, even when the law of the country does not.

How the checker works

  1. 1Five short stepsChild, journey, who travels along, parental authority and the documents you have.
  2. 2Rules, not guessesThe result comes from fixed rules based on official sources, each with a date. No AI decides your result.
  3. 3Honest coloursGreen looks fine, orange needs checking, red is a verified rule that seems unmet, grey means no verified information.

Private by design

We do not ask for a name, date of birth or passport number. Your answers stay in your browser. Only if you download or print the checklist do we ask for your name and email.

FAQ

Does my child need their own passport?

Yes. Every child needs their own valid travel document. EU, EEA and Swiss children can use a national ID card for travel inside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, if the country accepts it.

Is a parental consent letter mandatory in the EU?

There is no EU-wide rule. Some countries require an official document when a minor travels without a parent; others do not. A signed consent letter from the absent parent is a sensible precaution.

Can I travel with my child if I am the only parent travelling?

Usually yes, but border guards or airlines can ask for proof that the other parent agrees, or proof of sole parental authority. Carry a consent letter or a court decision, and a birth certificate if your surnames differ.

Do children need ETIAS or EES?

ETIAS is not running yet. At the Schengen border, children from outside the EU are registered in EES. Children under 12 are photographed but not fingerprinted.

What if my child flies alone?

Airlines set their own rules for unaccompanied minors, including age limits and fees. Check with your airline before you book.

Sources

Last checked

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