Eurostar - Advance passenger information

From 1 April 2024, Eurostar is required by the UK government to collect Advance Passenger Information (API) for you and anyone else on your booking before you travel to/from the UK.

You won’t be able to get your tickets until you’ve completed this information.

What is Advance Passenger Information (API)?

Advance Passenger Information (API) is required by the UK government for people leaving or entering the UK, as part of their border control measures.

You and everyone on your booking must provide the following information as it appears on your travel document (in most cases, your passport):

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Nationality
• Travel document type
• Travel document number
• Travel document country of issue
• Travel document expiry date

Important: national ID cards can only be used in a limited number of cases. If in doubt, please use your passport or check if you’re eligible to use your national ID card before completing your API.

How do I provide my API?

You need to go to Manage your booking to provide your API. Enter your booking reference and last name to access your travel details, then follow the instructions.

When do I need to provide my API?

You need to provide your API before passing the gates to the platform. You won’t be able to collect your tickets until you do, and the gates can't be passed through without the tickets.

Do I still need to bring my passport and/or travel documents when travelling?

Yes, you do. Your passport (or other valid travel document) will be checked by border staff at the station before departure. Please get to the station at the recommended arrival time to ensure you have enough time for ticket, security and border checks.

Important: UK border rules are changing. You may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if you don’t currently need a visa to enter the UK. Make sure you have everything you need well ahead of your journey. Otherwise, you won’t be allowed to travel.

Can the details be changed?

If you’ve provided incorrect information or the passenger has changed passport, you can resubmit the API before departure. You won’t be able to update the existing form as details are encrypted as soon as they are submitted. But you will be able to complete a new form which will replace the old one.

Is API required for each journey leg?

No – once API is submitted for a booking, both outbound and inbound tickets are released. 

Is API stored for future bookings?

No – frequent travelers need to resubmit their information for each booking. We are working on a solution for storing Advance Passenger Information in future.

Is the data secure?

API is encrypted as soon as it’s submitted. That’s why the details can’t be viewed again once provided. The data is only stored in our systems until the travel date and is deleted after travel. The data is only used for border security measures and is securely transferred to relevant authorities through a dedicated system.

How does it work with multiple pax? 

Advance Passenger Information must be entered for each traveler on the booking. If there are 2 people on the booking, you can enter and retrieve the ticket of one passenger even if the information is not yet submitted for the other person.

Who does the passenger contact in case of issues? 

If a passenger with a third-party booking is using MYB to submit their Advance Passenger Information and the ticket is not retrieved, they should contact Eurostar Customer Care. Their contact details are here.

Is API required for exchanges made to existing bookings?

No. For existing bookings, API is not required if an exchange is performed before the 2nd of April, even if the travel date is after 2nd April. If an existing booking is exchanged after the 2nd of April, API will be required to download the new tickets. 

Is API required for exchanges to bookings made after 2nd April?

No. If Advance Passenger Information has already been entered, and then an exchange is made, resubmission of API is not required to retrieve the new tickets. 

How does it work with connecting Eurostar services? e.g. London to Cologne via Brussels 

If you have a booking with a cross-channel segment and a continental segment, you can access the ticket for the connecting continental service without entering Advance Passenger Information. API is required to access the tickets for the cross-channel service.

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Additional FAQs

Q. I have added incorrect Date Of Birth while booking London route tickets, however, I added the correct Date Of Birth as per passport while filling API form. Will this conflict of information create a problem to use the ticket?

A. As the information collected through API gets encrypted & goes directly to the government of UK for border control, Eurostar neither collects, nor uses API information during the ticket checks. Hence, it will not be a problem to use the ticket with an incorrect date of birth, as far as the passenger type (such as adult or child) is correct.

Q. I have made a minor mistake in adding the name on the booking, but correct details have been added to the API form. Will it create a problem if API details do not match with the ticket?

A. As the information collected through API gets encrypted & goes directly to the government of UK for border control, Eurostar neither collects, nor uses API information during the ticket checks. Hence, it will not be a problem to use the ticket even though there is a minor mistake in name added to the booking.

Q. My passport has my maiden name (which has also been filled in the API form) but the booking has the last name after marriage. Will this be a problem?

A. There No problem to use the ticket, as far as you carry the marriage certificate as a proof of name change.

Q. Do the UK citizens have to fill in the API form as well?