Flights From Lithuania to the UK: Changes from April 2025

The most important change is the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which will become obligatory for everyone entering the UK. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) informs that from 2 April 2025, all Lithuanian citizens planning short-term travel or transit through the UK are required to have this permit.

Many travellers are used to travelling with just a passport, but now there is an additional procedure to make your travel hassle-free. The ETA will be valid for two years, or until your passport expires. Please note that the ETA will be linked to your passport, so if you change your document (for example, if you lose your old one), you will need to obtain a new ETA, even if the old one has not expired.

It should be noted that the permit will be required even if the UK is only a transit destination and you are not intending to stay longer. This means that if you are planning a trip to another country and the UK is only a transit point, you will also need to apply for an ETA.

The cost of the permit is £10 (about €12), which you will have to pay at the time of application. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to three days for an ETA to be granted, so it is advisable to arrange the permit before you travel to avoid unwanted complications.

The best and quickest way to get an ETA is to download the dedicated UK ETA app on your mobile phone and fill in the application form there. It's a quick and easy process that only takes a few minutes.
The app also allows you to apply for other travellers as well as yourself, so if you're travelling with your family, you can do this on the same app when you make a new application. All travellers, including infants and children, must have an ETA.

Once you have an ETA, you can travel to the UK as many times as you like for as long as your permit is valid - you won't need to re-apply each time you travel.

However, if you don't have an ETA, you may not be allowed to enter the country as it will become a mandatory condition for entry to the UK from April 2025, so your e-travel authorisation will be checked at an airport in Lithuania before you fly.

While these changes may change your normal travel routine slightly, it is worth accepting them as a natural part of the travel process. Travelling to the UK will still be convenient and easy, but now you will need a little extra preparation to make your journey even smoother and stress-free.

Tagoo wishes you pleasant flights!