Podcast in English
Audio Player
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The UK to introduce electronic travel authorisation for EU citizens as of April 2

Photo: EPA/BGNES archive

From 2 April 2025, the UK will introduce the issuance of an electronic transit and short-term residence permit for citizens of all EU countries, including Bulgaria, for whom a visa for a short stay is currently not required. 

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has specified that despite the established visa-free regime, Bulgarian citizens who wish to travel to the UK for a short-term stay of up to 6 months for the purpose of tourism, a private visit or business travel must have previously obtained an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), without which they will not be allowed into the UK. 

The authorisation will be valid for 2 years or until the expiry of the holder's passport and entitles them to multiple trips for a period of up to 6 months. After the issuance of a new passport, a new ETA will be required, as it is linked to the relevant travel document, the Foreign Ministry specifies.

The ETA permit can only be obtained through the official website of the British government, at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta. The procedure is carried out entirely online. 

The application for an ETA will be activated on March 5. EU citizens who cannot show a valid ETA when checking in for a plane, train or ferry will not be allowed to board the vehicles. An ETA is not required if you have a visa issued for the UK, British or Irish citizenship, permission to reside, work or study in the UK, including permitted temporary or permanent residence status, or a passport of a citizen of the British Overseas Territories.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Sunny start, afternoon showers expected

The night will be mostly clear and calm, although scattered rain clouds may appear over south-western Bulgaria before midnight , bringing occasional showers. Overnight lows will range from 5°C to 10°C, around 5°C in Sofia.  Sunday will start mostly..

published on 5/10/25 7:05 PM

The BSP will not support the referendum on the euro either

The BSP - United Left announced that it will not support President Rumen Radev's proposal to hold a referendum on the introduction of the euro. In a joint statement, the united Left said that a referendum on joining the eurozone or setting specific..

published on 5/10/25 5:34 PM

Sofia hosts the 20th International Conference of the Bulgarian Association of Surgeons

The 20th International Conference of the Bulgarian Association of Surgeons, Gastroenterologists and Oncologists (BASGO) brought together leading specialists in surgical oncology and gastroenterology in Sofia.  The forum was also attended by..

published on 5/10/25 5:15 PM