If you’re a Croatian citizen traveling to the United Kingdom in 2025 or later, there’s something critical you should know before booking your air ticket — you now require a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to arrival.
This new system has been implemented in order to secure, organize, and make traveling more efficient. Be it a vacation to London, a business meeting in Manchester, or sightseeing in Scotland’s beautiful highlands, knowing how the ETA works will make your travel hassle-free and smooth.
This guide explains all that Croatian travelers should know — from being eligible and how to apply to fees, validity, and other travel tips.
What is the UK ETA?
The UK ETA is an electronic entry clearance that some foreign nationals need to acquire prior to visiting the United Kingdom. It’s not a regular visa — it’s like an online permission that grants your entry for short stays.
Once accepted, your ETA is electronically attached to your passport. At the border, immigration officials merely check your passport information and ETA approval in their database. It’s an efficient, up-to-date way to pre-screen all visitors before they reach their destination.
When Did It Begin for Croatia Citizens?
Croatians need to obtain an ETA to travel to the United Kingdom. This is for every short visit, whether for leisure, business, or visiting friends and family.
In the past, Croatian citizens had no need to seek approval before entering the UK. Today, even though a visa is not needed for short visits, the ETA is now necessary. It’s a quick online application that can be done in a few minutes.
Who Needs It and Who Doesn’t?
Who Needs the ETA:
Croatian citizens traveling to the UK for short-term stays — up to 6 months — for reasons like tourism, business visits, or short courses.
- Travelers arriving in the UK by air, sea, or land (including via the Eurotunnel).
- Those transiting through the UK who will pass through border control (short stay).
Who Doesn’t Need the ETA:
British and Irish citizens.
- Residents of Croatia who previously entered the UK visa-free.
- Individuals who already possess a valid UK visa or residence permit.
- Transit passengers airside (staying in the airport’s international area without going through border control).
- Residents of Ireland arriving in the UK from within the Common Travel Area.
If you entered the UK visa-free previously as a Croatian national, you now require an ETA unless you are already in possession of a UK visa.
Purposes of UK eTA for Croatia
- Tourism: Visiting coastlines in the UK and participating in activities such as snorkelling, paragliding, etc.
- Visit to Relatives and Friends: Spending time with relatives and visiting friends
- Business: Visiting business events in the UK
- Short-Term Study: Pursuing a short study program in the UK
- Transit: Passing through the UK on your way to your destination
UK ETA Validity Period
Once you’re approved for an ETA, here’s what to expect in terms of how long it lasts and how it can be used:
- Duration of Validity: A UK ETA is valid for a maximum of 2 years from issue date. This indicates from the date your ETA was approved, you have two years during which you can use it to enter the UK. You don’t have to reapply every time you travel within those two years.
- Multiple Entries: Throughout the period of validity, the ETA permits multiple entries to the UK. You can enter the UK repeatedly without having to apply again, provided each visit complies with the permitted conditions. The multi-entry function facilitates convenient travel and is a significant advancement over the previous single-use Electronic Visa Waiver that the UK introduced for some nations.
- Stay Limits Per Visit: The ETA itself does not alter the length of stay per visit, which is usually 6 months for ordinary visitors. So you may have a valid ETA for 2 years, but you can’t stay consecutively for that whole time. Your trips can be a maximum of 6 months each, but after that, you must depart, and then you can re-enter on the same ETA for another visit.
How to Apply for the UK ETA for Croatia Citizens
Applying for the UK ETA is quick and completely online. Here’s how Croatian citizens can do it:
- Fill in the Online Form: Enter your accurate personal and travel details in the online UK ETA Application for Croatia Citizens form.
- Upload Required Documents: Scan and upload required documents such as passport scan, and digital photo.
- Submit the Application: Verify all the information provided and submit the application.
- Pay the Application Fee: Pay the e-Visa application fee online using a valid credit or debit card.
- Check Application Status: Track the application status via the website using the application reference number or passport details.
- Get the Approved e-Visa: After approval, the e-Visa will be delivered to the email address used in the application.
- Print and Bring the e-Visa: Print out the approved e-Visa and bring it along with your passport on your trip to Ethiopia.
UK eTA Processing & Priority Approval for Croatia Citizens
The Croatian citizens may select any of the processing times for their UK eTA application:
- Standard Processing: Your UK eTA is processed in 1 – 2 Days normally. This is perfect if you are booking far in advance.
- Rush Processing: In case your travel is not far away, this service can get your eTA to you in approximately 6 – 12 Hours for an extra charge.
- Urgent/Super Rush Processing: For last-minute or emergency travel, this is the fastest option, with processing times as short as 1 Hour. This service comes at a higher cost.
UK eTA Requirements
- Valid Croatian Passport: A passport having validity for your entire journey in the UK, with 2 pages for entry/exit stamps.
- Recent Digital Photograph: A clear, passport-style digital photo that meets standard requirements (plain background, no shadows, neutral facial expression).
Croatian Nationals’ Application Fee for the UK eTA
You must enter your nationality information into our price calculator on the UK eTA Fee page in order to determine the cost of your UK eTA.
What If Your ETA Is Denied?
If your ETA application is denied, don’t worry — you can still do something about it.
A denial typically occurs if there are discrepancies in your details, criminal history, or past immigration offenses. You will not be refunded the fee, but you can still apply for a regular UK visitor visa instead.
Tips for UK ETA for Croatia Citizens
To make your travel experience smooth, follow these tips:
- Apply early: Do not wait until the eleventh hour — apply at least 3–5 days ahead.
- Double-check passport details: A single typo can cause a delay.
- Use the same passport: The ETA is digitally linked to the passport used during application.
- Keep a copy of your ETA confirmation: While not required, it’s useful for peace of mind.
- Be honest: Answer all background questions truthfully.
- Check your route: If you’re transiting through the UK, confirm whether you’ll pass through border control.
- Watch for passport expiry: If your passport expires soon, renew it before applying.
- Confirm purpose of travel: ETA is for short visits only; working or long-term study requires a visa.
- Prepare at the border: Immigration officers can still ask questions about your visit, finances, or return ticket.
- Keep updated: Rules can change, so always check official sources before traveling.
Transit Travelers and the ETA
Thus, whether or not you need an ETA depends on your further plans in the UK, considering that you are passing through to the final destination.
- Airside transit: If you stay in the international zone and do not check in the border control station, in general, you will not need an ETA.
- Landside transit: If you are checked through UK immigration (for instance, if you are changing to another terminal or airport), you will need an ETA.
Always check with your airline to confirm whether your route requires one. If in doubt, it’s safer to apply — the process is inexpensive and quick.
Travel Checklist for Croatian Citizens
The UK ETA program is designed to make entry easier and safer, not harder. As long as you apply honestly and early, the process is simple and quick.
For Croatian nationals, this little extra step makes for a hassle-free journey to one of the most thrilling spots in Europe — be it a walk through London’s medieval streets, a business meeting in Birmingham, or a cultural holiday in Edinburgh.
Conclusion
The new UK ETA regime is a move towards more contemporary, digital border control. For Croatian nationals, it’s a quick and easy process that substitutes the outdated visa-free entry system.
Now that your ETA is approved, your passport ready, and travel plans in place, you will feel your confidence with full proof of all entry requirements at your destination-UK.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is the ETA a visa?
Ans. No. It is simply an electronic travel authorization and not a visa. It only enables you to board your flight and travel to the UK.
Q2. How long can I stay in the UK with an ETA?
Ans. You are allowed to stay for six months a visit on each occasion for visiting, business, or short-course study.
Q3. Do children require their own ETA?
Ans. Yes. All visitors, including infants and children, require a separate ETA.
Q4. How long does the approval process take?
Ans. Most are approved within three working days, but some take longer.
Q5. Can I extend my visit in the UK on an ETA?
Ans. No. The ETA cannot be renewed. You need to leave prior to your six-month expiry date.
Q6. Can I work in the UK on an ETA?
Ans. No. You are not allowed to engage in paid work when traveling on an ETA.
Q7. What if my passport expires?
Ans. You will need to apply for a new ETA with your new passport.
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