The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is an electronic authorisation issued by the UK Government that grants access to the country for 2 years from the time of issue. To apply for it you must have a valid passport, travel details, email address and credit or debit card. The time taken to issue the document is 3 working days, but it is advisable to apply as far in advance as possible.
Non-EU citizens
From November 2024 all non-EU citizens wishing to travel to the UK from January, 8th 2025 onwards will be required to apply for an ETA and present it at the airport during pre-departure checks. Passengers without an ETA will not be allowed on board.
EU citizens
From March 2025 all EU citizens wishing to travel to the UK from April, 2nd 2025 onwards will be required to apply for an ETA and present it at the airport during pre-departure screening. Passengers without an ETA will not be allowed on board.
Exemptions
Passengers in the following categories are exempt from applying for an ETA:
- visa holders,
- people with permission to live, work or study in the UK,
- people transiting through a UK airport and not passing through the border control,
- British or Irish citizens,
- people with a British overseas territories passport,
- people with a British National (Overseas) passport,
- people exempt from immigration control,
- dual citizens with British or Irish citizenship.
For further information, please check the website of the UK Government.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is Europe’s new border management system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of 29 European countries, including Italy.
Starting from 12 October 2025, the 29 European countries using the EES will progressively roll out the system at their external borders over a period of six months.
Who will be registered in the EES?
Non-EU nationals travelling to the European countries using the EES for a short stay (up to 90 days within a 180-day period), will be registered in the EES.Travellers’ data will be registered in the EES, regardless of whether they need a short-stay visa or they are visa-free travellers. Certain travellers are exempt from registration (see the section on ‘Exemptions’). Refusals of entry are also recorded in the system.
Exemptions
Passengers in the following categories are exempt from registering to the EES:
- nationals of European countries using the EES, as well as Cyprus and Ireland;
- non-EU nationals who hold a residence card and are immediately related to an EU national;
- non-EU nationals who hold a residence card or a residence permit and are immediately related to a non-EU national who can travel throughout Europe like an EU citizen;
- non-EU nationals travelling to Europe as part of an intra-corporate transfer or for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects and au-pairing;
- holders of residence permits and long-stay visas;
- Nationals of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and holders of a passport issued by the Vatican City State or the Holy See;
- people exempt from border checks or who have been granted certain privileges with respect to border checks;
- those holding a valid local border traffic permit;
- crew members of passenger and goods trains on international connecting journeys.
For further information, please check the dedicated page on the website of the European Union.
EUROPEAN CITIZENS
As of 2021, all EU citizens must be in possession of a valid passport to travel to the UK.
BRITISH CITIZENS
All British citizens must be in possession of a valid passport to travel to Italy.
Check-in for flights to and from London is earlier than the one for other destinations.
- At Bolzano Airport: from 3 hours before the flight to 45 minutes before departure.
- At London - Gatwick Airport: from 2 hours before the flight to 45 minutes before departure.
SkyAlps is not yet an airline certified by the UK government to transport pets. Therefore, it is currently not possible to transport animals on flights to and from London until further notice, with the exception of certified assistance dogs. For further information, please contact