New travel rules UK – EU

Translated by Valeria D’Alessandro

Starting in 2025, new entry rules will come into effect for individuals wishing to visit the United Kingdom or travel from the UK to the European Union. These regulations will particularly impact citizens from countries outside these areas, including UK citizens, following Brexit. The updated rules introduce additional requirements aimed at improving border control and regulating the flow of travelers.

In the UK, it will be compulsory to obtain an electronic authorization called ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) for anyone who does not hold British or Irish citizenship. Initially announced in 2023, this system will become effective at the end of 2024 and will be gradually applied to citizens of different countries. The ETA will be valid for two years and will allow a total stay of up to six months within that period. The application process is fully digital and will cost £10, with the authorization typically issued a few minutes after submitting the request. Initially, the requirement will apply only to citizens of non-EU countries who currently do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. These travelers can apply for the ETA starting from November 27, 2024, and it will be required for entry to the United Kingdom beginning January 8, 2025. For European Citizens, the ETA will become compulsory starting April 2, 2025, with application available from March 5 of the same year. This new system, similar to the American ESTA, will not affect travelers from countries that already require a visa to enter the UK. However, it represents a significant change for EU citizens who, prior to Brexit, could freely enter the UK without any visa or specific authorization. Likewise, the European Union will introduce a similar authorization system for non-EU countries travelers, called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System). Starting in 2025, anyone wishing to enter the Schengen area, including British citizens, will need to obtain this electronic authorization. The ETIAS will be compulsory for non-European citizens and can be requester through a digital procedure. Travelers will need to provide personal data, answer a few safety question and pay a €7 fee.

Once obtained, ETIAS will be linked to the passenger’s passport and will be valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Some categories will benefit from an exemption, such as individuals under 18 and over 70, who still need to apply for authorization but will not have to pay the fee. For British tourists, the introduction of the ETIAS marks a significant change, as they were previously able to travel freely within the European Union without additional bureaucracy. Brexit brought an end to this privilege, and the UK is now considered a “third country” by the EU. This means that British citizens will face similar procedures to those of non-EU countries when entering the Schengen Area.

These new regulations represent a challenge for British tourists, as the UK’s exit from the EU has inevitably introduced more bureaucracy and complexity for British travelers. However, the European Union has the right to strengthen its borders, even if these changes may be inconvenient for some. There will also be a six months transitional period to allow travelers and tour operators to gradually adjust to the new regulations. 

That said, both the British ETA and the European ETIAS will make travel between the United Kingdom and the European Union more regulated. These electronic authorization systems aim to enhance security and border control but will also introduce more bureaucratic procedures for travelers. This marks a significant shift compared to the freedom of movement that many European and British citizens enjoyed in the past.

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