Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has quietly updated its travel advisory for the United Kingdom, confirming that from 25 February 2026 Spanish citizens who are not resident in the UK will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding any plane, train or ferry to Britain.
The £18 (€18) digital permit—valid for two years or until passport expiry—mirrors systems used by Australia, Canada and the US and represents London’s next step in post-Brexit border digitalisation. Carriers will face fines for transporting passengers without an approved ETA, effectively shifting responsibility for compliance to airlines and train operators such as Iberia, Vueling, Ryanair and Eurostar.
![UK Electronic Travel Authorisation Becomes Compulsory for Spaniards from 25 February 2026]()
For business travellers the new document adds an extra layer of administration. While the application is usually approved within minutes, UK Home Office data from the Gulf-state rollout show that typos in passport numbers are the top cause of refusal. Travel managers are therefore urged to embed ETA authentication in booking workflows and to budget the fee into trip costs.
The advisory also tells Spanish residents in the UK to enrol in the Home Office’s eVisa scheme as physical residence cards are phased out. Spanish consulates in London, Manchester and Edinburgh plan information sessions in early 2026 to help applicants navigate the transition.
With around 8 million annual Spain-to-UK passenger movements—including thousands of weekly corporate trips—failure to comply could mean meeting cancellations and expensive re-ticketing. Companies with high-frequency travellers may consider centralising applications or using specialist visa providers to minimise disruption once enforcement begins.
The £18 (€18) digital permit—valid for two years or until passport expiry—mirrors systems used by Australia, Canada and the US and represents London’s next step in post-Brexit border digitalisation. Carriers will face fines for transporting passengers without an approved ETA, effectively shifting responsibility for compliance to airlines and train operators such as Iberia, Vueling, Ryanair and Eurostar.
For business travellers the new document adds an extra layer of administration. While the application is usually approved within minutes, UK Home Office data from the Gulf-state rollout show that typos in passport numbers are the top cause of refusal. Travel managers are therefore urged to embed ETA authentication in booking workflows and to budget the fee into trip costs.
The advisory also tells Spanish residents in the UK to enrol in the Home Office’s eVisa scheme as physical residence cards are phased out. Spanish consulates in London, Manchester and Edinburgh plan information sessions in early 2026 to help applicants navigate the transition.
With around 8 million annual Spain-to-UK passenger movements—including thousands of weekly corporate trips—failure to comply could mean meeting cancellations and expensive re-ticketing. Companies with high-frequency travellers may consider centralising applications or using specialist visa providers to minimise disruption once enforcement begins.
