UK ETA for Romanian Citizens
The UK ETA is a digital travel permit that allows citizens of eligible countries to travel to the UK visa-free for short stays of up to 6 months. It is important to note that an ETA is not a visa. Submitting the UK ETA online application simply grants travel authorisation under a visa-exemption agreement.
Entry rules have changed in the UK. Romanian citizens were previously able to enter the UK without a visa, but under the new ETA system, they now require an Electronic Travel Authorisation. This guide explains everything — definitions, eligibility, processes, and advantages — to help Romanian citizens prepare for these upcoming changes.
Romanians must obtain an ETA for the following travel purposes:
- Visit the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, business, visiting family/friends, or short-term study.
- Transit through the UK, if passing through border control.
- Attend a permitted paid engagement.
- Stay up to 3 months under the Creative Worker visa concession.
For these visit categories, EU citizens do not require a visa — only an ETA. Romania is one of the EU countries eligible for the ETA, and Romanian citizens must apply before travelling.
Applications for Romanian citizens open on 5 March 2025, and the ETA becomes mandatory for travel on or after 2 April 2025.
Although Brexit changed travel policies between the UK and EU, the ETA scheme is not solely a Brexit-related measure. It aims to modernise UK border management and applies to citizens from dozens of countries including Romania and the United States.
Romanian Visitor Statistics to the United Kingdom
There were 805,000 visits from Romania to the UK in 2023 — an increase from 634,000 in 2022 — making Romania the 13th most common country of origin for UK visitors. This strong travel connection makes Romania an important addition to the ETA-eligible countries.
Benefits of the UK ETA for Romanian Citizens
Although Romanian travellers are adjusting from visa-free entry to a mandatory ETA, the new system offers several advantages.
Applying is Quick and Easy
The ETA application takes around 15 minutes. As citizens of an ETA-eligible country, Romanians simply submit their details and typically receive a decision within three working days. After the Romanian ETA launch, processing is expected to run efficiently.
A single ETA is valid for two years and allows multiple UK trips without extra fees. This makes it a budget-friendly option for frequent travellers.
Once approved, a UK ETA for Romanian citizens lasts two years (or until the passport expires). It is digitally linked to the passport, making border checks smoother.
