New regulation: Travel to Great Britain – this is important for ETA obligation

The trip to Great Britain will be a little more complicated – and if you are not careful, you will end in the future before the customs crown roll. Since Wednesday (today), German travelers, for whom there is no vision light, have been able to apply for the electronic travel permit, which is prescribed from April 2 for flights and trips to the United Kingdom. The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is linked to the passport – and costs the equivalent of twelve euros.

In essence, the ETA is a digital security check of those who travel to Great Britain without a visa. The German passport has so far been sufficient for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Among other things, possible criminal records are queried. The British government promises that “better security controls take place to prevent abuse of our immigration system”.

A successfully requested ETA entitled to several trips and stays of up to six months in a period of two years. The passport must be valid during this time. Another effect for the British government: Because the ETA is mandatory for a number of countries, additional income is calculated in billions in billions.

A similar regulation applies to the United States, here the electronic entry permit is called ESTA instead of ETA. The travel permit ETIAS is to be introduced in the EU this year.

How is the entry permit requested?

The British Ministry of the Interior recommends a specially developed app. In addition to answering the security questions and information about the address and workplace, a photo of the passport and a photo of the face must be uploaded to everyone over the age of nine. If you do not have a scaffolded cell phone, you can also use a computer and the corresponding website.

Travelers should take care of the ETA promptly. When asked, the British Ministry of the Interior announced that the “large majority” of the applications would be decided automatically within minutes. However, a processing time of up to three days is officially given. Travelers should fly alone with an ETA application, but when they arrive before the entry control, the worries wait for whether the confirmation really comes.

Karolina Wojtal, spokeswoman for the European Consumer Center Germany, basically says about the introduction of the ETA: “Of course it is a restriction for travelers, and it will lead to one or the other evil awakening on the plane.”

Who is responsible for travel booking?

If you book a trip alone, such as a flight directly to the airline, you are responsible for thinking about the ETA. When booking a package tour, on the other hand, the travel broker must first “inform about all essential things before the contract has been concluded,” says Wojtal. “This also includes all the requirements for entry and transit.” These must be made available in writing without being asked and made available in writing.

“In such an information sheet, it must indicate which travel papers are needed and also how long a passport must be valid,” says Wojtal. “If I do not have this information and documents, the trip cannot take place. Often this means that the flight cannot even be started.”

With the conclusion of the contract, the tour operator was responsible for “informing about changes and requirements,” said Wojtal. This applies, for example, to a trip to Great Britain booked last year before the ETA decision. According to the OLG Frankfurt, this also applies to pure flight bookings (with stops) via online booking platforms, says Wojtal.