ETA required
Italians need a UK ETA
ETA required for travel from 2 April 2025
Italian passports joined ETA with the rest of the EU wave (travel from 2 April 2025). Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa flights to Heathrow, Gatwick and City all expect an approved ETA at check-in. It is not a Schengen visa and not a Permesso di soggiorno. Italians in the UK on settled status skip the ETA. Italians transiting Heathrow to the US: if you stay airside you currently may not need an ETA; if you collect bags or change campuses landside, you do. Fee £20 on GOV.UK only.
Italian travel facts
| Passport | Italy |
|---|---|
| Roll-out | ETA required for travel from 2 April 2025 |
| What you need | UK ETA (£20) |
| Stay | Usually up to 6 months as a visitor |
| Work | Not allowed on visit permission |
| Landside transit | ETA required if you pass UK border control |
Mistakes italians make
- Booking a cheap landside self-transfer at Heathrow without an ETA.
- Paying a .it blog that ‘submits’ ETAs for a service fee.
London notes for Italian arrivals
Gatwick is common for Italian leisure carriers. Gatwick Express is the premium option to Victoria; Thameslink to Farringdon is often better value. Congestion Charge does not apply to the train.
FAQs
- Do Italians need a visa for a London weekend?
- No visitor visa — you need an ETA, unless you already have UK permission to stay.
- Carta d’identità instead of passport?
- Link the ETA to the document you will travel on. Most airlines still want a passport.
Other passports
Bodhixt is not affiliated with UKVI. Confirm on GOV.UK before you book. Apply via https://www.gov.uk/eta only.