Romania→United Kingdom
Romania to United Kingdom
Do I need a visa for United Kingdom?
No — Romanian citizens do not need a visa to travel to the United Kingdom for tourism, but you must have an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you depart. The ETA is not a visa and it does not permit paid work or study.
The ETA is obtained in advance through the official application process and must be held before boarding; possession of an ETA does not guarantee entry at the border.
Which documents do I need?
You may travel on an ordinary Romanian passport, a Romanian temporary passport or on a Romanian national identity card when that ID is registered as a travel document with UKVI as stated. A driving licence is not accepted as a travel document for this route.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry.
Are vaccinations required for United Kingdom?
No vaccinations are required to enter the United Kingdom.
The World Health Organization recommends polio vaccination for residents and long‑term visitors who do not have recorded proof of recent vaccination; this is a recommendation, not a mandatory entry requirement.
How long can I stay, and can I extend it?
The permitted length of stay for this tourist route is not stated here. Extensions and conditions beyond the ETA are not described in these facts.
Holding an ETA authorises travel but does not guarantee admission at the border; the ETA is not a visa for work or study and does not permit paid work or study.
Can children travel on this route?
Children travelling to the United Kingdom need the same accepted travel document as adults: passport, temporary passport or, where applicable, a national identity card registered with UKVI. No additional parental consent letters or notarised permissions are required for minors under the stated rules.
Do I need travel insurance?
The Romanian foreign ministry recommends purchasing travel/medical insurance before travel, but travel insurance is not a condition of entry to the United Kingdom under the stated rules.
Where you have EHIC, PRC or form S2 these may be used for healthcare access as indicated by the source; in their absence healthcare charges may apply.
Where do I get the visa?
The ETA application is made online through the official UK ETA portal linked on this page and, once granted, you receive an electronic travel authorisation. Do not attempt to obtain the ETA in person at an embassy or consulate.
The Romanian embassy and consulates in the UK are listed on the embassy pages linked here for consular help and emergency contact information, not as an application route for the ETA.
Frequently asked questions
What information and documents do I enter when I apply for the ETA?
The ETA is applied for through the official UK ETA application. The application requires personal details, passport data or a passport copy, a photograph and payment of the ETA fee; confirmation is sent by email.
How long does an ETA application take and can I change it after sending?
The official guidance says the ETA is normally granted within minutes to hours but recommends applying in advance because some cases need detailed checks. The ETA cannot be withdrawn or changed after you submit it.
Can I use a different passport from the one I used to get the ETA?
You must travel on the same travel document you used for the ETA application. If your passport used for the ETA expires you must make a new ETA application.
Which travel documents can I use at check‑in and at the border?
Romanian citizens arriving with an ordinary Romanian passport, a temporary passport or a national identity card accepted as a travel document by UKVI may use those to enter. A driving licence is not accepted as a travel document for this route.
Will the airline check my ETA at the airport?
British carriers are required to check that each passenger has an ETA and, from the stated date, must legally refuse boarding to an eligible traveller without a valid ETA. Airlines and other carriers will therefore check your ETA at check‑in.
Does an ETA guarantee I will be allowed into the UK, and can I work or study on it?
Holding an ETA does not guarantee entry: the ETA authorises travel but final admission is decided at the border. The ETA is not a visa for work or study; separate visas are required for paid work or study.
Will I need to show proof of money or bank statements on arrival?
No proof of funds is required on this route and you will not be asked to show bank statements or cash as a condition of entry under the stated rules.
Do I need any vaccines before I travel?
No vaccinations are required to enter the United Kingdom. The World Health Organization recommends polio vaccination for those without recent proof of vaccination; this is a recommendation, not an entry requirement.
Do I have to buy travel insurance before I go?
Travel insurance is recommended by the Romanian foreign ministry but it is not a condition of entry to the UK under the stated rules.
What do children need to travel to the UK?
If you are under 18 you need the same accepted travel document as adults (passport, temporary passport or an ID card where that ID is registered as a travel document in your UKVI account); no parental consent letters or extra paperwork are required for minors under the stated rules.
Who do I contact for consular help while I am in the UK?
If you have problems while in the UK you may contact the Romanian embassy or one of the Romanian consulates in the UK; those missions are listed on the embassy pages linked on this site and provide consular assistance and emergency contacts.
Do I need to fill in an arrival form or register when I get to the UK?
You do not need to complete any arrival registration or entry card for the UK; no arrival registration is required under the stated rules.
Do I have to declare cash at customs?
You must declare at customs any cash over the stated threshold if arriving from outside the EU; the source specifies a declaration threshold of 10,000 EUR or equivalent.
Where can I check the official rules?
When was this last checked?
Our checker last confirmed these requirements on August 31, 2026. Entry rules can change without notice, so confirm against the official source below before you travel.
Before you travel
- 1Apply before you travel
Apply before you book. Processing times vary, and a refusal cannot be appealed at the border.
Apply on the official site - 2Check your passport
Your passport must stay valid for 6 months beyond your trip.
- Travel insurance
Not required upon entry, but medical treatment is paid for by travelers — it's advisable to have a policy covering medical expenses and repatriation.
- Save your embassy’s contact
Your nearest mission: United Kingdom — worth having if your documents are lost.
Open the embassy page - Read our travel guides
Local knowledge, seasons and customs — things they won't check at the border but that your trip depends on. Everything you need to know.
Open the guide
More about United Kingdom