Do I need an ETA visa for my French spouse or children?

Since April, the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has been required for EU/EEA nationals, with the UK government warning this week that it will soon start barring entry to those who don't have the correct document.

You can read the full explanation HERE, but ETA is basically a visa waiver that must be applied for online in advance of your trip. It costs £16 and lasts for two years.

UK nationals are obviously exempt, as is anyone travelling on an Irish passport, but all other nationalities now need the ETA. But what about Brits who have French spouses and/or kids?

French spouse

There are very few exemptions to the requirements for an ETA, and being married to a UK national does not qualify you for an exemption unless you are a dual national (more on that below).

Exempt from the requirements are anyone who has a visa for the UK or who has UK residency (eg EU citizens who have Settled Status or Pre-Settled Status).

Otherwise it is required for all EU or EEA citizens, including those married to a Brit.

French kids

ETA has no exemption for under 18s and all children will need one, even babies. The cost for under-18s is £16, the same as the adults.

As with adults, children who are dual nationals are exempt, assuming they are travelling on their UK passport.

Due to a bilateral UK-France agreement, children travelling to the UK as part of a school trip are exempt from ETA requirements, although in this case the school will be responsible for getting a group authorisation to enter the UK.

Dual nationals

Children of UK citizens, even those living in France, are entitled to British citizenship, while it's not uncommon for the spouses of Brits to take UK citizenship.

The situation for dual nationals is far from clear, with contradictory advice being given by the UK government.

For those who have a current, valid UK passport, it's probably easier to use that to avoid any confusion.

For those whose passport is lost or expired, or for people who never had a UK passport, the situation is explained in more detail HERE.