To visit the UK you now need Eta. Here's how to do it

New rules kick in today for all EU citizens, including Italians, who want to visit the UK: it becomes mandatory to have an Electronic Travel Authorisation, or Eta, before departure. The Eta had already been introduced last April, but in a 'soft' way, with sporadic or non-existent checks. After the running-in phase, the system now becomes permanent and compulsory. Airlines have a duty to refuse boarding to passengers who do not have Eta.

Obtaining it is simple, but must be done in advance. It is important to go to the official British website www.gov.uk/ETA and fill in the form: be wary of the many fraudulent sites that offer Eta at a higher cost. The cost is £16 and authorisation can be obtained in a few minutes, although the British authorities advise doing the procedure a few days before departure in case of problems. Once obtained, the Eta lasts for two years and is valid for an unlimited number of journeys. The authorisation is individual and must be done for each traveller, even young children.

The Eta rules affect not only European citizens but travellers from 85 countries, including the United States and Canada. 'The Eta system is crucial in strengthening the security of the UK's borders,' explained Mike Tapp, Under Secretary of State for Immigration. 'It serves to ensure a more efficient and modern service that helps visitors and citizens alike.

Another rule comes into effect today, which concerns Italians with dual citizenship, Italian and British, who cannot apply for Eta. Until now, it was possible to travel to and from the United Kingdom with only an Italian passport and in fact many Italians did not even bother to obtain a British passport. Now they will be forced to do so: as of today it will no longer be possible to enter the UK with an Italian passport. So those who have both passports must remember to bring them with them on every trip, and those who do not yet have a British passport despite having citizenship must apply for one as soon as possible, as the waiting period for obtaining one is on average three weeks, but can be longer. The only alternative while waiting to get a passport is to apply for a 'certificate of entitlement' which certifies British citizenship but costs £589, while a passport costs 'only' £94.50.

For Italians travelling to the UK for study or work purposes, or in any case for periods longer than six months, the rules do not change: it remains compulsory to obtain an electronic visa, or eVisa.