Updated: 22 August 2026 la 22:21. Articolul a fost revizuit pentru a reflecta informațiile disponibile la această dată.
Yes, Romanian citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before a short visit to the United Kingdom. The rule applies to tourism, family visits, permitted business travel and transit involving passage through border control. Romania has been on the list of nationalities for which an ETA is mandatory for travel to the UK since 2 April 2025. (gov.uk)
As checked on 22 August 2026, the application costs £20, is submitted online or through the official UK ETA app, and is digitally linked to the passport. It is not a visa and does not guarantee entry: the final decision remains with border control.
At a glance: what you need to visit the UK
- A valid passport for the entire duration of your stay. For most Romanian tourists, a national identity card is not sufficient.
- An approved ETA before departure if you are travelling for tourism or another eligible short stay.
- An email address to receive the decision.
- A bank card, Apple Pay or Google Pay to pay the £20 fee.
- A photograph of the passport and a photograph of the applicant’s face; these can be taken with a phone in the app.
One crucial point: the ETA is linked to the travel document declared in the application. If you change your passport, you must submit a new ETA application, even if the previous authorisation has not yet expired.
What an ETA is and is not
An ETA is a digital pre-travel check. It allows travel to the UK, including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, for stays of up to six months in permitted circumstances. It can generally be used for tourism, visits to relatives or friends, certain business trips and short-term study.
To supplement the information above, see also Danube Delta in 2026: a practical guide to permits, routes and responsible tourism, an article that explores an aspect directly related to this subject.
An ETA does not replace a work visa, a long-term study visa or a family reunion visa. It does not allow you to work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, nor to live in the UK through successive visits. A dedicated visa is generally required to marry or register a civil partnership.
Do you need an ETA or a visa? The difference that matters
For a city break in London, a holiday in Cornwall, a concert in Manchester or a family visit lasting a few days, a Romanian citizen will normally use an ETA, not a visa. An ETA can cover multiple entries and is valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
You need to check the visa option if the purpose of your trip goes beyond the limits of a short visit: employment, self-employment, a stay of more than six months, long-term study or other immigration circumstances. People with previous immigration issues, criminal convictions or refusals of entry may need to assess their situation carefully before relying on an ETA.
How much does an ETA cost and how long does approval take?
| Item | Current rule |
|---|---|
| Application fee | £20 |
| Usual response time | Usually within one day |
| Maximum time recommended by the authorities | Up to 3 working days |
| Validity | 2 years or until the passport expires |
| Number of trips | Multiple, while the ETA and passport remain valid |
| Refund | No, the fee is not refunded after the application is submitted |
UK authorities recommend allowing up to three working days for a decision. Although many applications are processed faster, it is not wise to apply on the way to the airport or after checking in. Wait for the confirmation message before leaving.
Do not pay intermediary services simply for the promise of faster approval. The UK government states that another app or website cannot speed up the decision; some unofficial platforms merely add fees.
How to apply for an ETA: practical steps
- Check your passport. Apply using the exact passport with which you will fly or cross the border. The document must remain valid throughout your time in the UK.
- Use the official UK ETA app or the UK government’s online portal. The app is useful when the person applying for an ETA is with you, as the phone can scan their passport and face.
- Upload the required photographs. If the facial photograph does not meet the technical rules, the application may be delayed or refused.
- Answer the questions in the form carefully. The application includes biographical and biometric information, as well as eligibility questions.
- Pay the £20 fee. Payment can be made by credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
- Check your email, including the Spam/Junk folder. Do not leave before receiving confirmation of approval.
For children, including babies, a separate ETA is required for each person. A parent or another adult can submit an application on a child’s behalf.
When you do not need an ETA
Not every Romanian entering the UK needs to apply for an ETA. The most important exemptions are for people who already have a valid form of permission to enter or stay. You do not need an ETA if, for example:
- you have a valid UK visa;
- you have the right to live, work or study in the UK, including settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme;
- you are a British or Irish citizen;
- you are transiting through an airport without passing through UK border control, a situation known as airside transit;
- you live in Ireland and enter the UK from Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, under the conditions set out in UK rules.
The exemptions have their own details. For example, a Romanian with status under the EU Settlement Scheme should keep the passport details for the document they are travelling with up to date in their UKVI account, to reduce the risk of delays at boarding. gov.uk
Passport or identity card for the UK?
For a Romanian tourist, the practical answer is: take your passport. EU citizens need a valid passport to enter, with limited exceptions where an identity card may be accepted, particularly for people with status under the EU Settlement Scheme, certain permits or specific situations related to the UK immigration system. The passport must be valid for the entire stay.
Do not confuse UK rules with those of the Schengen Area. The UK is not part of Schengen, and freedom of movement based solely on an identity card does not automatically apply to a standard holiday in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Transiting through a UK airport: check whether you cross the border
If you have a layover in London, Manchester or another UK airport, the key question is whether you pass through border control. For landside transit, meaning you formally enter the UK before your onward flight, you need an ETA if you are eligible for one. There is an exemption for airside transit, without passing through border control. Confirm the arrangements for your connection directly with the airline, especially if you have separate tickets or need to collect and re-check baggage. gov.uk
Checklist before leaving Romania
- Check that your ETA has been approved and that the passport in the confirmation is the one you are carrying.
- Make sure your passport is valid for your entire stay.
- Keep the ETA confirmation and 16-digit reference number handy, even though the authorisation is digitally linked to your passport.
- Keep your accommodation address, return itinerary and, where applicable, the contact details of the person you are visiting on your phone and, ideally, available offline.
- Check cabin-baggage conditions in advance; for departures from Bucharest, also see the guide to liquid rules for cabin baggage at Otopeni Airport.
- If your flight is delayed or cancelled, or you miss a connection, read about air passenger rights and keep your travel documents, receipts and messages from the airline.
Conclusion: apply before finalising your plans
The ETA is now a standard part of preparing for a UK visit for Romanian citizens. The application is digital, costs £20 and can be valid for two years, but it must be submitted for the correct passport and approved before boarding. For a standard holiday, the basic combination is simple: a valid passport plus an approved ETA. If you have UK residence status, intend to work or have an unusual immigration situation, check the official requirements for your individual circumstances before buying non-refundable tickets.
Frequently asked questions
Is an ETA mandatory for Romanians travelling to London?
Yes. For a holiday, family visit or eligible short trip to London and the rest of the UK, Romanian citizens normally need an ETA before departure. Romania has been included on the list of nationalities to which the measure applies since 2 April 2025. gov.uk
How much does a UK ETA cost in 2026?
As checked on 22 August 2026, the official ETA fee is £20. The fee is non-refundable after the application is submitted. gov.uk
How long does ETA approval take?
The decision usually arrives by email within one day, but UK authorities recommend allowing up to 3 working days. Do not travel before receiving confirmation. gov.uk
Can I enter the UK with only a Romanian identity card?
For a standard tourist trip, in practice you need a valid passport. An identity card may be accepted only in certain special circumstances, including for some people with status under the EU Settlement Scheme or other relevant UK documents. gov.uk
Do children need an ETA?
Yes. Every traveller needs their own ETA, including babies and children. An adult can apply for a child. gov.uk
Do I still need an ETA if I have settled or pre-settled status?
No. People with the right to live, work or study in the UK, including those with settled or pre-settled status, do not need an ETA. It is important for the current travel document to be correctly linked to the UKVI account.
