Travel within the EU/EEA is set for some big shake-ups over the next 12 months – starting with the EU’s EES scheme for passport checks (scheduled to start on November 10th) and then ETIAS which will require tourists and visitors to get a €7 visa.
EXPLAINED: How the EU’s new EES and ETIAS systems will work
But there’s another big change afoot for anyone travelling to the UK – the introduction of the UK’s ETA system.
What is it?
If you have been following the latest EU developments, the ETA is very similar to the ETIAS visa waiver – it stands for Electronic Travel Authorisation and it is essentially entry permission that visa-free travellers like tourists need to apply for online in advance of their trip.
It costs £10 and lasts two years, allowing multiple entries to the UK while it is valid.
Just like ETIAS, it is modelled on the USA’s ESTA visa waiver, and is required for all types of travel including tourism, short stays and family holidays.
When will it be introduced?
The UK’s ETA is being introduced in three stages; it is already a requirement for nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
From January 8th 2025 it will be required for nationals of all non-EU or non-EEA countries – including Americans, Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders. You can find the full list here, applications for ETA open online on November 27th 2024.
The final stage involves EU and EEA countries – Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Vatican City passengers will require the ETA from April 2nd, 2025.
Applications for the ETA open online from March 5th. The only exception is people travelling on an Irish passport (because of the Common Travel Area between the UK and Ireland).
Who will it affect?
By the time phase three comes into effect in April 2025 it will cover all of the world’s nationalities with two exceptions; those travelling on a UK passport and those travelling on an Irish passport.
Also exempt are UK visa-holders or anyone who has residency status in the UK (for example EU nationals who moved before Brexit and have Settled or Pre-Settled Status). An ETA is not required if you live in Ireland and you’re travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.
Otherwise everyone needs one – including children or babies, EU nationals who have a British spouse and airline passengers who are simply transiting through the UK.
The ETA is intended for short visits such as holidays and family stays – it does not allow people to stay in the UK for more than 180 days or to work in the UK.
How can I get one?
You apply online or on the UK ETA app in advance of your trip – the UK government says that applications will normally be processed within three working days, but sometimes this may take longer. You cannot enter the UK until the ETA has been processed.
The ETA costs £10 and lasts for two years – during that time you can make multiple trips to the UK. If your passport is renewed during that time period, you will need to apply for a new ETA.
You cannot make group applications – each person in a group needs their own ETA, but you can make the application for another person.
Find the UK government website HERE.
What about dual nationals?
If you hold a UK passport plus the passport of another country it all depends on which passport you are using to travel into the UK.
The passports of dual nationals are not ‘linked’, so for example if you present a French passport at the border, the system has no way of knowing that you are also a UK national and will treat you like any other French citizen – meaning you will need an ETA from April 2nd 2025.
You will only be exempted from the ETA requirement if you have your UK passport with you and can show it at the border.
As previously mentioned, anyone travelling on an Irish passport is also exempt.
EU nationals who have a British spouse will require the ETA, unless they are also dual nationals and are travelling on their UK passport.
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So, does this mean that dual nationals will have to book one-way flights rather than a return so that the correct passport can be supplied to the airline for API?
Not necessarily – at present some dual nationals already travel using 2 passports (ie the EU one to enter the EU and the UK one to enter the UK, which is perfectly legal) and can book return flights. You can supply API per flight, although different airlines have slightly different processes. More info here https://www.thelocal.fr/20220901/passports-what-are-the-rules-for-dual-nationals-travelling-in-europe
Re your last comment, that EU nationals require an ETA when travelling with their spouse. Does that mean the EU national can only stay in the UK for up to 180 days in the UK with their spouse? …..that doesn’t make sense.
When you say: “Otherwise everyone needs one – including children or babies, EU nationals who have a British spouse and airline passengers who are simply transiting through the UK.”, Does this mean that if I am ONLY making a stopover at the airport to my final destination, not leaving the airport, I still have to apply for a visa? It doesn’t make any sense… it makes sense for anyone who wants to enter the country. If we don’t leave the airport it shouldn’t be necessary!
We agree that it seems crazy, and UK airports are furious about it too, but that’s the rule
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/heathrow-airport-eta-flight-transfer-travel-permissions-b2611426.html
The ETIAS is a visa waiver, not a visa.
Desperate means call for desperate measures. They were fools to vote in Brexit. Now they need more money.
Hello. I’m wondering if one has a UK passport in which its written “this person has a French passport” including its number whether one is penalised too for having dual nationality ??