Entry Requirements

All visitors to the Edinburgh must adhere to the UK’s entry requirements. If you’re planning to visit, you should make sure you have all the necessary documentation required before you travel. This page contains useful information and sources that you can read to make sure you are fully prepared before your trip.  

Passports and Identity Documents 

Depending on your citizenship and where you are flying from, you may have to present a passport or identity document (ID) upon arrival to the UK. All passports and IDs must be valid for the entirety of your stay.  

• EU, EEA and Swiss nationals can enter the UK with a passport, Irish passport card or, if eligible, an identity card issued by the EU, EEA or Switzerland  
• Irish citizens may continue to use their national ID card. 
• Nationals from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland will need a valid passport. 

For up-to-date information please visit the GOV.UK website 

Visas 

You may need a visa to visit, study or work in the UK.  

• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can stay in the UK as a visitor for up to 6 months without a visa. 
• Irish citizens have no visa requirements and can travel to the UK.
• Nationals from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland may need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.

To check if you need a UK visa, visit the GOV.UK website. 

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) 

An Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETA) is a digital permission to travel, and by April 2025 all visitors, including babies and children, who do not need a visa will need an Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETA) to travel to the UK. The introduction of ETAs is in line with the approach many other countries have taken to border security.

An ETA permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.

Full details can be the UK Government’s website.