Do you have to travel to the UK? Here's what you'll need from now on
You can now apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation, the document that will be mandatory to enter the country from April
BarcelonaIf you were planning to visit the United Kingdom this Easter, you need to be aware of a new feature: from 2 April, all EU citizens who want to travel will have to present a mandatory travel permit. This is called the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): we explain how much it costs, how to apply for it and in which cases you will be obliged to carry it.
How to apply for the permit
The mandatory authorization can be requested from Wednesday, March 5 through the British Government website or of his application. It can only be done online and it is necessary to do it before travelling. It should be remembered that it is neither a visa nor does it allow entry into the United Kingdom as such, but is only a digital permit to travel.
Once the application has been made, we will receive a confirmation email, which can take from a few minutes to three days, depending on the case. The ETA authorisation will be digitally associated with our passport, and therefore it will not be necessary for us to bring any document to the airport control or when boarding the plane. However, it is advisable to keep the confirmation.
Who should apply for it?
All Spanish citizens and other EU citizens who do not have a visa or legal residence in the United Kingdom will have to present the travel permit (this includes babies and children). It is only valid for short stays for tourism, business or other visits that do not last more than six months. The measure is in force from April 2, 2025, so visitors who are already in the United Kingdom before that date will not need to apply for it.
How much does it cost?
The Electronic Travel Authorisation costs 10 pounds sterling, almost 12 euros. However, the British government has announced that the price will increase to 16 pounds (approximately 19 euros), but it is not yet known when.
If I have a stopover in the United Kingdom, do I need to bring it with me as well?
Yes, if we have a stopover in the UK and have to check in our luggage again or go through border control again, we will need to have the authorisation to travel. However, if we do not have to go through this control – as is the case at Heathrow and Manchester airports – we will not need to carry it. To be sure, it is advisable to check with our airline.
How long does the permit last?
Electronic Travel Authorisation is valid for two years, although if our passport expires it will no longer be valid. During this time we can make any trips to the United Kingdom that we need, provided that they are stays of less than six months and that we use the same passport with which we applied for the ETA.
What else is required to enter the United Kingdom?
Please note that all EU citizens wishing to travel to the country, even if they are only making a stopover, must carry a valid passport. National ID cards are no longer valid as a document for entering the United Kingdom.
