United Kingdom: ETA and documents to check before you travel

ETA: the check to make before packing

Have you booked a weekend in London, a tour of Scotland or a visit to relatives in the United Kingdom? There is more to organise than just flights and accommodation. Check your passport and entry authorisation before arriving at the airport, even if you are departing from an airport close to home and travelling for only a few days.

The ETA, Electronic Travel Authorisation, is an electronic authorisation required for certain categories of travellers who can visit the United Kingdom without a visa. It is not a visa and does not replace your passport. Being granted one does not guarantee entry either: checks by border authorities may still apply.

For an Italian citizen travelling for a short holiday, an ETA is generally required, unless exemptions apply based on citizenship or status in the country. So simply asking “Am I departing from Italy?” is not enough: the passport you use, the purpose of your trip and any permissions you already hold also matter.

Before making your arrangements, consult the official UK government ETA page and the United Kingdom country information on Viaggiare Sicuri. Check them again close to departure, as requirements and procedures can change.

Passports and exemptions: check your circumstances

For a standard tourist trip by an Italian citizen, a passport valid for the entire stay is generally required. An identity card is not normally sufficient: there are exceptions for specific categories, which should be checked against official sources rather than automatically assumed to apply to all travellers.

Check that your document is undamaged and that the first name, surname and other booking details match those in your passport. If you hold more than one citizenship, check the rules that apply to the document you will travel with.

People who hold a UK visa or permission to live, work or study in the United Kingdom may be among those who do not need to apply for an ETA. British and Irish citizens also follow different rules. Do not apply for an ETA in an attempt to replace a required visa: work, study and particular types of stay require separate checks.

If you use an eVisa, check in advance that your UKVI account shows the correct passport. A renewed document that has not been updated in the systems can complicate the carrier's checks.

How to apply for an ETA without leaving it to the last minute

Start with the application route indicated on GOV.UK, using the official app or the available online process. Have ready the passport you will take on your trip, an email address you can access and the required payment method. Follow the instructions for capturing your document and photograph.

Intermediary websites may appear in search engine results: before entering personal details, check who operates the service. For the government application process, start from the gov.uk domain, taking care not to confuse a commercial advertisement with the authorities' website.

Do not treat submitting an application as equivalent to approval. Wait for notification of the outcome and allow time for any further checks: one application may take longer than another. If your trip is approaching and you have not received a response, consult the official guidance rather than relying on immediate approval.

The ETA is electronically linked to the passport used in the application. If you renew or replace that document, you will normally need to submit a new application. Also check how much validity remains on your authorisation before using it again for a later trip.

Children, connections and itineraries involving Ireland

If you are travelling as a family, check each traveller separately. Babies and children must also have their own document and, when required, their own ETA. A parent's authorisation does not automatically cover their children.

For minors, also check any accompanying travel declarations required by the Italian authorities, especially if they are travelling without both parents or with another adult. In these cases, also consult the Polizia di Stato or the relevant questura.

Only connecting through the United Kingdom? Do not assume either that you need an ETA or that you are exempt. The distinction between transit without passing through border control and entering the country is important. Collecting baggage, separate tickets, changing airports or an overnight stay can affect the route through the airport: ask your carrier how the transit will work in practice and check the official requirements.

Take care with trips that include Ireland and Northern Ireland too: they belong to two different countries. Arriving in the United Kingdom from Ireland does not provide a general exemption from the ETA; exceptions depend on specific conditions.

The checklist before heading to the airport

A few days before departure, carry out a final check of everyone's documents. Departing from Rimini, Bologna or another Italian airport? The principle remains the same: completing online check-in does not replace checking entry requirements.

• A valid, undamaged passport matching the booking.
• An approved ETA linked to the passport you will take, if required.
• Any visa or digital status correctly linked to your document.
• Children's documents and accompanying travel authorisations, where necessary.
• Your accommodation address, bookings and return travel information available.
• Up-to-date requirements checked on GOV.UK and Viaggiare Sicuri.

Keep your passport in your hand luggage and important messages accessible even without an internet connection. Carrying out these checks at home helps you approach the carrier's checks and border checks with greater peace of mind.