If you are an EU citizen and traveling on or after April 2, 2025, you will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). You will be able to apply from March 5, 2025.
You can stay in the UK as a tourist without a visa for up to 6 months.
What can and cannot be done as a tourist with an electronic entry permit in the UK?
– You can visit the UK on vacation or spend time with family and friends.
– As a tourist, you can also engage in other authorized activities
EU citizens are not allowed to stay in the UK as a tourist:
– Do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person
– Receive government benefits
– Live in the UK for a long period of time, visiting frequently or consistently
– Get married or register a civil partnership
– To serve a notice of marriage or civil partnership. Instead, you will need to make
What will you need at the UK border?
You will need to provide a valid passport or travel document when entering the UK.
The passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in the UK.
At the border, you may also be asked to prove that:
– You are visiting the UK for tourism purposes
– You are able to support yourself and your dependents while traveling (or get funding from someone else to support you)
– You have somewhere to stay (hotel, friend’s house) while in the UK
– You can pay for a return ticket (or get financing from someone else)
– You will leave the UK at the end of your visit
Entry requirement for children under 18:
A letter from a parent or guardian stating:
– Parent or guardian contact details and consent to travel to the UK
– Name, date of birth, address and relationship of the person with whom the child is staying
– Consent to stay with the person named in the letter
Who doesn't need to apply for an e-permit?
You do not need an electronic authorizationif you fall into one of the categories below:
– You have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including permanent or provisional permanent resident status under the EU Permanent Residence Scheme)
– You are a British or Irish citizen
– You are traveling with a British Overseas Territories passport
– you live in Ireland and are traveling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
It costs £10 to apply. Everyone traveling needs an ETA, including infants and children. You can apply for other people.
To apply for an electronic permit, you must:
– The passport you will be traveling with, not a photocopy or digital passport
– access to your e-mail
– credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
Will need to be uploaded or photographed:
– passport
– the person submitting the application
How do I apply for an electronic permit?
Apply for electronic authorization for EU citizens to enter the UK can be made here
A decision is made within 3 working days, but a shorter decision is possible.
Sometimes it can take more than 3 business days.
Once your documents have been verified, an email arrives confirming that you have received your electronic authorization. Оно будет связано с паспортом, с которым было подано заявление.
The electronic permit lasts for 2 years. It can be used to travel to the UK as many times as necessary.
When you get a new passport you will need to get a new entry permit.
You can check who needs to get electronic entry clearance for the UK at the link below: see here
