Passport & Visa requirements
Do you need a passport to go to Scotland?
- All EU, EEA and Swiss nationals (except Irish citizens) will need a valid passport to enter the UK. Your travel document should not expire during your stay in the UK. At the border, officials might ask for proof that you are visiting the UK for tourism, such as a hotel reservation.
- Irish citizens may continue to use their national ID card.
- There are no changes in the rules for other foreign nationals.
Do you need a visa to travel to Scotland?
- 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 as they did before Brexit.
- Other foreign nationals might need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.
- You can check here if you need a UK visa.
People travelling to the UK without a visa will need to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This will give you permission to travel to the UK, and it is electronically linked to your passport.
You’ll need an ETA if you are:
- Visiting the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or study
- Visiting the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
You will not need an ETA if you have either:
- A British or Irish passport
- Permission to live, work or study in the UK
- A visa to enter the UK
- A British overseas territories passport
Find out more on how to apply for the ETA scheme
Get more information about the ETA scheme from the UK Government website
Money and Currency
There are many cash machines in the city. Most are free to withdraw money from, although some may charge a small fee. There are also several Bureaux de Changes in the city.
Most hotels, restaurants, and shops take credit and debit cards. Mastercard and Visa are commonly used. Most places take contactless payments with a limit of £100. Some small shops and guesthouses may only take cash.
Scotland uses the pound Sterling (£), the same as the rest of the UK. Scottish banknotes will look slightly different from English banknotes, but they can still be used across the United Kingdom.