What is a UK ETA for Spanish Citizens?
It is a digital travel permit that is digitally linked to your passport. ETA stands for the term Electronic Travel Authorization. The UK ETA scheme was created by the British government to pre-screen travelers. It applies to those looking to transit through UK territory, visit, or stay in the country short-term.
The UK ETA for Spanish citizens replaces all previous UK entry requirements from Spain. Spanish passport holders were previously allowed to enter the UK without an ETA or a visa. As of April 2, 2025, ETAs for UK trips will be a prerequisite for all travels from Spain to the UK. Applications for the ETA for the UK will be open starting from March 5, 2025.
Spanish citizens can use the new ETA for short stays in the UK – England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – for up to six months. ETAs can be used instead of a UK visa for travelers transiting through UK ports and airports, those looking to visit the country for the following purposes;
- Visiting the impressive array of tourist sites
- Visiting friends or family
- Visiting the UK for business
- Students on short study courses.
- Engaging in activities under the Creative Worker visa concession (for up to 3 months).
- Transitting in the UK, even if you will not go through border control.
Statistics on Spanish Visitors to the United Kingdom
In the year 2023, the UK welcomed 2.2 million visits from Spain. These official statistics can include multiple visits from the same passport holder. Indeed, more than half of these visits are known to be by people making a repeat visit to the UK. However, the statistics still indicate a huge number of people will need to obtain a UK ETA from Spain.
Advantages of the UK ETA
Having an ETA for UK travel provides Spanish citizens with a number of advantages over the need to obtain a visa for the UK from Spain. These include:
Stress-free applications
Those who hate the hassle of official paperwork have nothing to fear when applying for a UK ETA. Applications are completed in a short number of easy steps, as outlined below, with the main requirement being access to the Internet.
Multiple-entry validity
The granting of a UK ETA gives the holder unlimited entry to the UK for its duration, providing the eligibility criteria mentioned below are met.
Great value for money
Given the alternative to obtaining an ETA is applying for a visa, the ETA scheme offers great value for money for Spanish citizens. It will be the cheapest way of visiting or transiting through the UK with a Spanish passport.
UK ETA Eligibility Criteria for Spanish Citizens
Eligibility for the UK’s ETA is surprisingly broad, with only the following key requirements:
- Applicants must be Spanish citizens Those applying for a UK ETA from Spain must be Spanish citizens, or citizens of another eligible country, intending to travel on a passport with an expiry date beyond the intended length of stay.
- Stays cannot be more than six months The rules state that no one entering the UK with an ETA can stay longer than six months on the same trip.
- An applicant should have a clear criminal record Those who have served a sentence of imprisonment of 12 months or more, or those who have been convicted of any crime in the last 12 months are not eligible for an ETA. However, they may be able to apply for a UK visa.
UK ETA Application Process for Spanish Citizens
The following section explains the steps of the application process for Spanish citizens seeking a UK ETA. If you follow these instructions, you should not face any issues with successfully submitting your application quickly and easily:
1
Fill out the application form
Spanish citizens should apply for a UK ETA online. The application form is straightforward. Just be sure to complete your name and other details as they appear in the passport you will be using to travel.
2
Upload the requested documentation
As part of your application, you will be asked to upload an image (a digital photograph or scan) of your passport. You will also need to supply a passport-style photograph. The format guides for these uploads are detailed on the application form.
3
Make the required payment
Being an online process, you must pay for your UK ETA using either a credit or debit card, Google Pay, or Apple Pay.
4
Submit your application
Read over your application to ensure you haven’t made any accidental mistakes, then finalize your application by submitting it.
5
Receive your ETA decision
Check your email regularly for the result of your ETA application. If you have email filters engaged, it’s also worth checking your junk mail folder.
Requirements for UK ETA Application
What should you have to hand before completing your UK ETA from Spain? Before starting your application, you should gather the following items:
Email address
Spanish citizens need to supply a personal email address during the application process, and the result of your application will be sent to this email.
Valid passport
You must ensure that your passport is valid beyond the time period during which you wish to travel to the UK. You should check the expiry date carefully.
Passport photograph
In addition to your passport, applicants completing the UK ETA application form will need to submit a passport-style photograph. It’s worth having this ready before starting, for ease.
Payment method
Be ready to pay for your UK ETA application at the time of submission. Payment can be made using a credit card, debit card, or online payment mechanisms such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
UK ETA Fees and Processing Time
The total cost for the UK ETA is £78. This price includes the UK government’s fee alongside the professional service fee charged by the service provider for using their professional services.
UK ETAs for Spanish citizens are usually processed within three working days of submission. You should not worry if you haven’t obtained an answer in this period, as it can take longer for applications to be processed during busier times.
UK ETA Validity and Duration of Stay
Travelers can enter the UK from Spain with a UK ETA for two full years – the standard validity of the ETA scheme. During this time, travelers can enter the UK as many times as they wish, so long as no trip lasts more than six months.
It’s worth noting that if an individual’s passport expires before the ETA expiry date, the ETA will become void because it is electronically connected to a specific passport.
UK ETA: Renewal and Extension Options
UK ETAs cannot be renewed or extended. However, Spanish citizens are permitted to apply for a new UK ETA as soon as their existing one expires.
UK ETA Application: Refused vs. Rejected—What to Do Next
If a UK ETA application is rejected, the applicant can reapply for an ETA having specifically addressed the issues raised by the officer who rejected the application, which will be detailed in the email you receive from the administering authorities of the scheme noting that the applicant will need to pay the application fee when submitting a new application.
Should your UK ETA application be refused, you cannot reapply and there is no means of appeal. You must instead apply for a visa to travel to the UK.
Traveling with a UK ETA: Important Details
Below you’ll find some additional information you may find useful when travelling with a UK ETA:
- UK ETAs are tied to a particular passport. This is the passport you should travel on.
- If you have multiple passports issued by different nations, you should apply for your UK ETA with your Spanish passport when a resident of Spain.
- Using your ETA is as simple as presenting your passport at UK immigration. The ETA is truly electronic and you do not need to present a physical copy of the decision to grant an ETA. All the same, you may find it useful to carry a printout of the email decision.
FAQ
No, generally speaking, Spanish citizens do not need a visa to enter the UK for tourist purposes and other forms of short-term stays.
As of April 2, 2025, Spanish citizens will be required to obtain an ETA before travel. This is not a visa but can be considered a new form of UK visa waiver scheme.
We provide a trustworthy source of all the latest UK ETA news.
The email issuing the rejection will detail the reason behind the decision. On addressing the reason, an applicant is permitted to complete a new application.
No, there is no renewal process for a UK ETA. Travelers must apply for a new ETA instead.