From now on, traveling from Barcelona to the United Kingdom will cost you one more step and a little more money. Your low cost flight from El Prat may be well worth it, but you will have to take into account the following: as of April 2, 2025, international travelers wishing to enter the United Kingdom will have to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
This new mandatory system for tourists and citizens of countries that previously did not require visas for short stays, similar to that applied in countries such as the United States, can be processed from today, Wednesday, March 5.
It is an online registration that travelers from Europe and other countries must complete before entering the country, at a cost of 10 pounds sterling (approximately 12 euros).
In return, its processing will allow multiple entries to the UK with stays of up to 6 months each, as long as the permit is valid.
The validity of the permit will be for two years or until the expiration date of the passport linked to it. The application processing time to obtain the ETA is generally three working days.
To obtain this permit, applicants must have a valid biometric passport, a recent high quality digital photo and an e-mail address.
Application can be made from March 5, 2025 via the “UK ETA” mobile app, available on Google Play and the App Store, or via the official British Government website, where the appropriate fee must be paid.
Once the payment has been made, a confirmation and the document proving that the ETA has been processed for the next trip will be sent by mail.
Is the ETA a visa?
Technically no, the ETA is not a visa, as it does not replace existing visas for specific purposes or extended stays. It has been defined as a less formal and detailed travel authorization system than a visa.
Typically, to obtain a visa, the cost is higher and more aspects of the stay or trip must be detailed.
The ETA is designed for short trips, tourism or business. For longer stays or specific activities such as work or study, an appropriate visa will still be required.