If you’re travelling to the UK from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, here’s what you need to know:

✅ Travel documents:

•You’ll need a valid passport (or in some cases, a national ID card) for the full duration of your stay.

•Irish citizens can continue to enter and live in the UK without a visa.

🛂 Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA):

•Most EU, EEA & Swiss citizens (except Irish) now require an ETA before travelling.

This costs £16 to apply and once obtained it lasts for 2 years or until your passport expires (whichever is sooner).

You can travel to the UK as many times as you want while you have an ETA.

💡 Visa-free travel:

•Short trips or holidays don’t require a visa.

•For other purposes (work, study, etc.), check if a visa is needed.

⚙️ ePassport gates:

•Eligible citizens can still use automatic ePassport gates for faster border entry.

🪪 Using national ID cards:

•Still accepted for those with settled/pre-settled status, frontier worker permits, EUSS family permits, or certain healthcare/service visas.

•Must comply with ICAO biometric standards.

👨‍👩‍👧 Non-EEA family members:

•Must hold a valid passport and may need a visa or ETA depending on nationality and reason for travel.