London Calling – or not? Entering the UK is becoming a little more complicated due to a new permit.
Soon there will be fewer tourists in the British capital? A new travel regulation makes it possible. – keystone
The most important things in brief
- From 2025, you will need a travel permit to travel to the United Kingdom.
- An application costs 11 francs and processing takes three days or more.
- The permit is valid for two years, unless the passport expires in the meantime.
- Anyone who does not yet have a permit cannot travel spontaneously.
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Spontaneously heading to London for a weekend? It won’t be that easy any more…
From April 2025, an “entrance fee” will be charged to enter the UK.
All travelers from Switzerland and the European Union will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Cost? 10 pounds (the equivalent of 11 francs) per person.
The reason for this is Brexit. There is currently no visa requirement for travelers from Switzerland and the EU. According to the British government, the ETA is intended to contribute to better controls and “more security” when entering the country.
Tourists in front of the «Big Ben» in London. – keystone
This change affects everyone from business travelers to babies. Yes, you read that right! Even the youngest will need a permit to enter the country. Parents can apply for one for their children.
It’s not just air travel that’s affected – land and train connections are also subject to the new regulation. Taking a short trip from Dublin to Belfast or a train ride on the Eurostar? Here, too, you should organize an ETA in advance.
How do I apply for approval?
There are certain requirements for approval.
You must have a biometric passport that is valid for at least six months after your planned departure date from the UK. You must not plan to stay in the country for longer than six months and must not have a criminal record.
From March 5, 2025, you can apply for an ETA via an app or the government website. According to the British government, the process takes about 20 minutes. You have to upload a portrait photo and answer a few questions.
From 2025 onwards, you will need to be well organised to travel to London. 
From April 2025, travellers will need to apply for a permit from the British government. 
The permit costs 11 francs per person – even babies need one.
After at least three days of processing, applicants will receive an email notification as to whether their application has been approved. However, the British government writes on its website: “Occasionally it may take longer than three working days.”
If the application is not approved, travelers must apply for a visa. This means: apply early, if in doubt, even a month in advance.
The ETA is valid for several short stays within two years. When your passport expires, you must apply for a new one. It allows you to enter the UK multiple times, as long as you do not stay in the UK for more than six months at a time.
Swiss tourist operators unconcerned
Despite this new regulation, the Swiss travel industry appears unconcerned to the “Tages Anzeiger”.
Travel provider Hotelplan says it already has many years of experience with similar procedures in other countries, such as the USA, Canada and New Zealand.
Did you know about the new travel authorization for Great Britain?
79%
No, that’s new to me.
21%
I was already in the picture.
2
I was already in the picture.
Based on these experiences, “we assume that the new entry regulations will not have an impact on our booking numbers.” The provider also emphasizes its willingness to support customers in the application process.
Travel provider Kontiki Reisen also does not see the regulations as a “major obstacle”. In response to a request from Nau.ch, the airlines Swiss and Easyjet confirmed that they will inform their travelers accordingly about the ETA.
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More on the topic:
HotelplanRegierungEasyjetBrexitETAEU
