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Велика Британія: що знати перед поїздкою

Головне

  • Almost all visa-free visitors, including EU, US and UAE citizens, need a UK ETA (GBP 20) before travel; apply only via the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK.
  • Russian, Belarusian, Kazakh, Uzbek, Chinese, Indian, Turkish and Ukrainian citizens need a visitor visa.
  • Bringing meat or dairy products (sandwiches, cheese, sausage) from the EU is banned since April 2025; items are seized and fines up to GBP 5,000 apply.
  • Traffic drives on the left; look right first when crossing. Plugs are Type G.
  • London drivers pay the Congestion Charge and possibly ULEZ; pay online the same day to avoid fines.

В’їзд і візи

The UK is not in the EU or Schengen, so Schengen visas and days do not apply. Most visa-free visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): GBP 20, linked to your passport, valid for multiple trips of up to 6 months each for 2 years or until the passport expires. Others need a Standard Visitor visa. Irish citizens need nothing.

Електронні анкети та дозволи

  • UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) ↗ обов’язково
    Before travel; allow up to 3 working days for a decision. An ETA is needed for eligible transit through UK border control, not wholly airside transit. · Вартість: GBP 20 · Visa-free nationals incl. EU/EEA, Swiss, US, Canada, Australia, UAE and other GCC states; every traveller incl. children

Термін дії паспорта: Valid for the whole stay; the ETA is linked to the passport you apply with (EU ID cards not accepted for most visitors).

На кордоні можуть запитати

  • EU/EEA, Swiss, US, Canadian, Australian and some other passport holders aged 10+ can use eGates at major airports.
  • Officers may ask about your plans, accommodation and funds.
  • No passport stamps for eGate users; keep your booking as proof of entry date.

Митниця

  • From the EU: meat, milk, cheese, butter and other dairy from cattle, sheep, goats and pigs are banned for personal import (foot-and-mouth controls).
  • Duty-free from outside GB: 200 cigarettes, 4 L spirits or 9 L fortified wine, 18 L wine, 42 L beer; other goods up to GBP 390.
  • Declare cash of GBP 10,000 or more when entering or leaving.
  • Knives, pepper spray, stun guns and most self-defence sprays are prohibited.

Перевірено 29 жовтня 2026 р. · Джерела: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Гроші

Карткою можна платити майже всюди. Картки приймають майже всюди.

Платіжні системи: Visa, Mastercard, Amex

Apple Pay — працює · Google Pay — працює

Де вигідно міняти

  • Pay by contactless card or phone almost everywhere, including buses and the Tube.
  • Withdraw pounds from bank ATMs (marked "Free to use"); most charge nothing.
  • If you need cash notes, Post Office or a city-centre bureau usually beats the airport.

Де краще не міняти

  • Airport exchange bureaux and "commission-free" kiosks with poor rates.
  • ATMs marked "charges apply" inside shops and bars.
  • Accepting conversion to your home currency at terminals or ATMs.

Банкомати: Most UK ATMs are free to use ("Free cash withdrawals"); independent ones in shops can charge GBP 2-3. Your bank may still add a foreign fee.

Чайові: In restaurants 10-12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check, as many add a "discretionary" service charge. Not expected in pubs or taxis (round up).

  • When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in local currency: dynamic currency conversion adds roughly 3-10%.
  • Cards issued by Russian banks (Visa, Mastercard and Mir) do not work here because of sanctions; bring enough cash or a card from a non-Russian bank.
  • Some places in London are card-only; cash is still accepted in most shops and markets.

Перевірено 29 жовтня 2026 р. · Джерела: visitbritain.com ↗, gov.uk ↗, bankofengland.co.uk ↗, support.apple.com ↗

Правила та заборони

Заборонено

  • Carrying knives in public (any lock knife, or a folding blade over 3 in/7.6 cm) without good reason: arrest and prison possible.
  • Pepper spray, CS gas, tasers and similar: illegal to bring or carry.
  • Riding a private e-scooter on public roads or pavements is illegal; only rented trial e-scooters are allowed.
  • Using a hand-held phone while driving: GBP 200 fine and points.
  • London Congestion Charge (GBP 18/day) and ULEZ: unpaid charges lead to penalty notices for rental cars.
  • Drinking alcohol in designated public places (many city centres, transport): police can confiscate and fine.
  • Outdoor drones 100 g+ need a Flyer ID; an Operator ID is required at 250 g+, or at 100 g+ with a camera. Check CAA flight and location rules.
  • Cannabis is illegal, including small amounts.

Закони, які туристи порушують через незнання

  • Drink-drive limit 0.8 g/l in England and Wales, 0.5 in Scotland.
  • Smoking banned in all enclosed public places and on public transport.
  • Age 18+ to buy alcohol and tobacco; ID often checked.

Перевірено 29 жовтня 2026 р. · Джерела: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, tfl.gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, caa.co.uk ↗

Культура та одяг

Релігія: Christian heritage (Church of England, Church of Scotland); largely secular; significant Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Jewish communities.

Одяг: Casual; bring layers for changeable weather. Smart-casual for nice restaurants and theatres.

Етикет

  • Queue patiently and never jump the line.
  • Stand on the right on escalators in London.
  • Say "please", "thank you" and "sorry" often.
  • In pubs, order and pay at the bar; no table service unless signposted.
  • Rounds: if someone buys you a drink in a group, buy the next round.

Перевірено 29 жовтня 2026 р. · Джерела: visitbritain.com ↗

Клімат

Mild, changeable maritime climate with rain any month; cooler and wetter in Scotland and the west. Figures are London average highs/lows.

За місяцями
  • січень: Jan: 8/3°C, cold, damp, short days
  • лютий: Feb: 9/3°C, cold
  • березень: Mar: 12/4°C, cool
  • квітень: Apr: 15/6°C, mild, showers
  • травень: May: 18/9°C, pleasant
  • червень: Jun: 21/12°C, warm, long days
  • липень: Jul: 24/14°C, warmest, busy
  • серпень: Aug: 23/14°C, warm; Edinburgh festivals
  • вересень: Sep: 20/12°C, mild, good
  • жовтень: Oct: 16/9°C, cool, wetter
  • листопад: Nov: 11/5°C, grey
  • грудень: Dec: 9/3°C, cold, festive

Найкращий сезон: May-September; London is fine year-round with layers.

Перевірено 29 жовтня 2026 р. · Джерела: metoffice.gov.uk ↗, visitbritain.com ↗

Що взяти

  • Type G plug adapter (230 V)
  • Waterproof jacket and layers
  • Contactless card or phone wallet
  • Comfortable shoes
  • ETA approval or visa linked to your passport

Що не брати й не можна ввозити

  • Meat, cheese and dairy from the EU.
  • Pocket knives, pepper spray or self-defence sprays.
  • Expecting Schengen visas to work: they are not valid in the UK.

Практичне

Розетки: Type G; 230 V, 50 Hz

Вода: Tap water is safe; free tap water must be provided in licensed premises on request.

Рух: лівосторонній

Зв’язок і eSIM: Not in the EU roaming zone: EU SIMs may charge roaming unless your plan includes the UK. Prepaid SIMs and eSIMs (EE, Vodafone, O2, Three) are cheap.

Застосунки: TfL Go, Citymapper, Trainline, National Rail, Uber / Bolt / FreeNow, UK ETA

Інтернет: Good 4G/5G; free Wi-Fi in most cafés, stations and the London Underground.

Здоров’я: Emergency A&E treatment is free at the point of use, but most other NHS hospital care is charged to visitors. UK GHIC/EHIC rules apply only to certain EU citizens. Bring travel insurance; pharmacies help with minor issues.

Страховка: Not required for entry but strongly advised: NHS charges overseas visitors 150% of tariff for hospital care.

Екстрені служби: 999 or 112 (police, ambulance, fire); 111 for urgent non-emergency medical advice

Перевірено 29 жовтня 2026 р. · Джерела: nhs.uk ↗, visitbritain.com ↗, tfl.gov.uk ↗

Правила в’їзду змінюються. Перед поїздкою звіртеся із сайтом посольства або міграційної служби країни.