Travel Primer
Passports1 of 3

Which passport, when

He has two. Carry both, every day. Show the one named below.

UK passportCanadian passport
1
The flight out

Canada to London

Check in and boardUK
Arrive at HeathrowUK

With his UK passport he needs no UK travel permit (ETA). Use the eGates.

2
The Eurostar

London into Europe

First desk: leaving the UKUK
Second desk: entering EuropeCanadian

First time into Europe: a quick fingerprint and photo at the desk. That is normal.

3
The weeks in Europe

All through Europe

Any passport checkCanadian

Same one every time. Europe's new border system links the passport he enters with to the one he leaves with.

4
The flight back

Spain to London

Passport desk leaving SpainCanadian
Check in and boardUK
Arrive in LondonUK

Leave Europe on the same passport he entered with, then switch to UK for the airline and Heathrow.

5
The flight home

London to Canada

Check in and boardCanadian
Arrive in CanadaCanadian

Canada asks its citizens to fly home on a Canadian passport.

Rule of thumb: UK for the UK, Canadian for Canada and Europe.

Checked Oct 7 2026: UK, Canada and EU government guidance. Rules can change: if a desk asks for the other one, show it.