Did you know that the arrival rules to the United Kingdom changed from April 2025? This means that travelers heading to England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland must check not only their tickets but also new requirements. Previously, when the United Kingdom was still part of the European Union, travel felt much simpler. You only needed a passport or even an ID card, and that was enough.
For everyone planning a trip, whether it is your first or fifth time, it is useful to prepare in advance. The UK has not been part of the European Union for some time, so naturally not only travel conditions but also official documents are changing. Therefore, arrival rules to the United Kingdom changed from April 2025, and if you like spontaneous trips to London, you will now need to take one additional step before traveling. You must arrange an electronic travel authorisation, and once you receive it, you will be able to travel to the United Kingdom without worries for two years, until it is time to renew it again.
Arrival rules to the United Kingdom changed from April 2025
From April 2, 2025, a new requirement applies to all European Union citizens traveling to the United Kingdom for short stays of up to 6 months. Before departure, you must obtain an electronic travel authorisation called ETA.
This requirement also applies if you are only passing through the UK in transit. It does not matter whether you travel by plane, train, or car.
You can already apply for an ETA, so if you are planning a trip to the UK, it is better to do it as early as possible. Although you should submit your application at least 3 days before departure, do not leave it until the last minute. Sometimes technical issues or additional checks may occur, so it is safer to arrange everything in advance.
It is important to know that ETA is not required for those who have pre-settled or settled status. In other words, people who have the right to live in the United Kingdom temporarily or permanently do not need it.
For example, if you are Lithuanian, live in the UK, and have this status, but are currently visiting Lithuania, you will not need an ETA to return. Therefore, this requirement only applies to short-term visitors, not to those returning home.
What is ETA?
ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is a system for short-term travel permission. It is designed for travelers from countries whose citizens do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom.
This system allows the UK to check in advance who plans to enter the country.
The ETA is linked to your passport, so you do not need to carry any physical documents. At the airport or border, you will simply present your passport. Then the system will automatically confirm whether your authorisation is valid.
The authorisation will be valid for 2 years, or until your passport expires if it happens earlier. It will cost £10.
You can easily complete the ETA application using the mobile app “UK ETA App.” There is also an informational video that shows step by step how to complete the process. Additionally, it explains what to do if you do not have a smartphone.
Although ETA is not complicated and does not take long, it is a required step. Therefore, you cannot skip it. However, once you complete it, your trips to the UK will become much easier for the next two years.
Get your authorisation and travel without worries
Although the arrival rules to the United Kingdom are changing from April 2025, this should not stop you from planning trips. Instead, simply add one more step to your travel checklist – the ETA authorisation.
Once you receive it, you can travel спокойно for two years. You can visit family or explore new places in the UK.
Before your trip, do not forget to check your passport validity so everything goes smoothly. And if you are looking for inspiration, you can also read our article “London with children,” where our reader shares her experience in London.
