UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)

You will need a UK ETA if you:

• Are a national of a country that does not require a visa to visit the UK (including
EU nationals).
• Are traveling to the UK for a short stay (up to six months).
• Do not hold a UK visa, Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), or Biometric Residence
Card (BRC).

British and Irish nationals do not require an ETA.
Check if your nationality is eligible for an ETA and apply here.

You do not need an ETA if you already have permission to enter or stay in the UK, for example if you have:

• A valid UK visa
•  Indefinite leave to remain 
• Settled or pre‑settled status
• eVisa 

For full details, see the UK Government page.

You can apply for an ETA through the official UK Government website or the UK ETA app. The application is completed online and usually only takes a few minutes.

An ETA is valid for 2 years and is linked to your passport.
If your passport expires or you get a new one, you must apply for a new ETA.

Your ETA cannot be updated. If you need changes, you must apply for a new one. 

If your boarding pass is restricted after applying for an ETA, this is usually because checks are still in progress. 

This can happen if: 

• Your ETA or travel documents are still being verified by the UK government system 
• Additional checks are needed for your journey
• You’re travelling on a booking with multiple passengers
• There’s a temporary app or device issue 

What to do: If you have already checked in, and the restriction remains, the app will direct you to the airport desk. There are no extra fees if the app sends you there, and our team will complete the checks and issue your boarding pass.

Yes. Your ETA is digitally linked to the passport you used when you applied. You must use the same passport for both your outbound and return flights, as well as for entering and leaving the UK.

No. Ryanair does not issue, approve, amend, or have access to UK ETA applications. 

All ETA decisions and application issues are handled only by the UK government via the official ETA app or website.

• First, check your spam or junk email folders.
• Then log into the official UK ETA app or online portal using the passport details used in the application.
• If your ETA appears as approved there, the email confirmation is not required for travel. 
• If no ETA appears, you will need to contact UK Government ETA support directly.

You do not need to print or present your ETA email. 

Your ETA is digitally linked to your passport, and our staff will verify it automatically when your passport is scanned.