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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.

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