Brexit, after passport comes prior travel authorization (for a fee): going to the UK is increasingly stressful
There is little to go around: after Brexit, going to the UK is (and will be) increasingly stressful. Since April 2, [...]
United Kingdom
There is little to go around: after Brexit, Going to the UK is (and will be) increasingly stressful. As of April 2, in fact, to enter the country, it will be necessary to the ETA, a prior electronic authorization (similar to ESTA for entering the US).
In this article:
The ETA, the cost of which will be. 10 pounds, will be mandatory for all European citizens, including Italians therefore; the aim, the British executive makes known, is to "strengthen security through new technologies and incorporate a modern immigration system." Only Irish nationals and those who, regardless of nationality, reside in the United Kingdom will be exempt.
The application to obtain the ETA-whose validity is two years and allows multiple entries to stay for up to a maximum of 6 months - can be made as early as March 5 on the UK government website or via the app UK ETA: during the process we will have to enter our passport and contact information, upload a photograph and answer some security questions. The outcome of the application, as stated on the official website, should be announced within 72 hours.
While this in itself is bad news, there is one detail that-if possible-is even worse: ETA issuance will be required even if you enter the UK to make a simple stopover. This clarification may seem superfluous, but for those who travel with British Airways or Virgin Atlantic, it will not only be a (small) gab to add to the cost of the ticket, but a formality that, if forgotten, could cost missed boarding on the flight.
The need to apply for transit-only authorization becomes a prerequisite even if you are not planning to set foot in King Charles' Kingdom, and given that, apparently, issuance will not be immediate, you could find yourself stopped at check-in counters in Italy and have your entire itinerary cancelled.
The introduction of ETA does not only affect citizens of the Old Continent: it is currently in effect for 6 countries in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar), and as of January 8, 2025, the requirement will also be triggered for travelers from the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Israel, and Australia; after that, as mentioned, as of April 2, it will be the turn of Europeans.
In short, this is one of the many effects of Brexit: and if for us Europeans it is one annoyance after another, so is it for the British. As of 2025, in fact, UK citizens (as non-EU travelers) will also have to have the European Esta, which will allow them access to the Schengen area.
