FAQ

I’ve heard EU citizens now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if they want to travel to the UK. I am an EU citizen with (pre-)settled status under the EUSS - what does this mean for me?

Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) are intended for visitors to the UK. Since you have status under the EU Settlement Scheme(EUSS), you are not a visitor, and you should therefore not apply for an ETA to travel to the UK.

However, airlines and train/ferry operators are now checking that everyone travelling to the UK has some form of permission to enter the UK before allowing them to board.

For people with status under the EUSS, this should be done at check-in time, by using automated links to Home Office databases to check that the passenger’s passport or national identity card is linked to their digital immigration status (also known as an eVisa or UKVI account). (But see our FAQ I have (pre-) settled status. Can I use my EU national identity card to enter the UK? for important information about use of national identity cards after 31 December 2025.)

From 25 February 2026, carriers will need to strictly enforce the ETA requirement - see this Home Office article: No permission, no travel: UK set to enforce ETA scheme.

It is therefore extremely important that you update your digital status (UKVI account) with your latest travel document. See this FAQ for more details on why and how to do this.

It is useful to know that the Government says this in their guidance to carriers:

"Where a passenger does not have a valid physical visa or visa exemption document, you may also accept evidence of UK status where this is provided by the passenger via the online ‘View and Prove’ service. In order to provide this evidence a passenger will need to log onto their UKVI account and generate a share code. You can then use the share code (and the passenger’s date of birth) to check the passenger’s status information using the ‘Check someone’s immigration’ status service on GOV.UK

Visa nationals who have a valid pending application to the EU Settlement Scheme are advised not to travel to the UK until their application is granted unless they hold a valid visa or visa exemption document. A Certificate of Application or Acknowledgement of Application is not satisfactory evidence of status."

Government guidance to eVisa holders, "Check your eVisa is correct before you travel" explains how to check your eVisa, and get a share code as a backup in case the automated airline checks do not work. NB: If you generate a share code for your carrier, remember to choose "something else" as the reason for the share code, rather than right to work or right to rent. 

Of course, if you have friends or family members who are EU citizens, and who don't have UK immigration status, they will need to apply for an ETA if they want to travel to the UK to come and visit you.  See the GOV.UK guidance: Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).  Please take note of this FAQ so that your friends or family members don't fall victim to a scam: How can I avoid ETA scams from unauthorised servers and fake websites? 

Note: if you have pre-settled status but are no longer living in the UK or have broken your continuity of residence, you may be at risk of having your status cancelled at the border - see "Grounds for cancellation of leave" section of the EU Settlement Scheme Border: Force Guidance. You might want to seek legal advice if this applies to you.

If you experience any problems while travelling, please report it to us at our Report-It webpage, where we have a dedicated short and simple reporting form for travel problems.