Global London and much more — from wild Scotland to cathedrals and the best Afrobeats scene outside Africa. Home to huge Nigerian and Ghanaian communities. Note: the UK is outside Schengen, with its own entry rules. Here is the essential, verified.

Travel essentials

The UK is NOT part of Schengen — entering here does not count towards the EU 90-day limit, and the European ETIAS/EES does not apply. Instead there is the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation): since 2026 it is mandatory for all visa-exempt travellers, including EU and Brazilian citizens. The ETA is not a visa — you apply online, it is valid for about 2 years (multiple entries, stays up to 6 months) and costs an electronic fee. Passports from Cabo Verde, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal, however, need a UK Standard Visitor visa — an ETA is not enough. Always confirm at the official source (GOV.UK) before travelling.

⚠️ Border rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source (consulate, immigration, travel.state.gov, gov.uk, Portal das Comunidades) before travelling.

Health

No vaccinations are required. There is no European €30,000 insurance requirement, but travel insurance is strongly recommended — UK NHS treatment can be charged to non-residents. Tap water is safe and medical standards are high.

Passport

The passport must be valid for the entire stay. EU citizens can no longer enter with a national ID card (since Brexit) — a passport is required.

Arrival & Safety

Airport

London has several airports: Heathrow (LHR), the largest, linked to the centre by the Elizabeth line and the Heathrow Express; Gatwick (LGW), with the Gatwick Express; and Stansted and Luton (low-cost). Manchester (MAN), Birmingham (BHX) and Edinburgh (EDI) serve the rest of the country. The rail network (National Rail) connects everything.

Getting in

Uber and Bolt operate in London and the big cities, alongside the iconic black cabs (reliable but pricier). In London, pay for the Underground, bus and urban rail with a contactless card or Oyster — don’t buy paper tickets. Driving is on the left; when crossing, look right first.

Safety

Money

Currency: pound sterling (£) — NOT the euro. The UK is nearly cashless: cards and contactless work everywhere, including buses and the London Underground. Avoid airport exchange desks (poor rates). You don’t need much cash, but some is handy at markets and old pubs.

Connectivity

Four major networks with very good 4G/5G coverage: EE (the largest), O2, Vodafone UK and Three. For travellers from Brazil or Africa, the Verde Wave eSIM avoids expensive roaming and activates on arrival. Note: after Brexit, roaming for EU SIMs in the UK is no longer necessarily free — check with your operator.

Arriving with data on lets you order Uber/Bolt, load the London Underground map and reach your contacts without hunting for Wi-Fi. An eSIM activated before departure saves time and roaming — especially now that EU roaming is no longer guaranteed.

Coverage is excellent in London and the big cities, and good across most of the country; it can drop in the Scottish Highlands and remote rural areas. WhatsApp is universal within the diaspora. Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, pubs, hotels and on the Underground (stations).

Practical tips

Best time

May to September brings milder weather and long days (in June, it gets dark late). But always pack an umbrella and layers — the weather changes fast in any season. London is worth it year-round; Scotland shines in summer.

Languages

English is the official language — with many accents (Cockney, Scottish, Welsh). There are large Nigerian, Ghanaian, Caribbean and East-African communities, especially in London (Peckham is known as “Little Lagos”), which makes Pidgin, Twi and other languages common on the streets. Strong accents may need patience.

Etiquette

The queue is sacred — never jump it. Courtesy is constant: “please”, “thank you” and “sorry” are used all the time (even when you’re the one bumped into). In the pub, you pay at the bar and in rounds. A ~10% tip in restaurants if service isn’t included; in pubs and taxis it isn’t expected.

What to see & culture

Places

In London, Big Ben and Parliament, the Tower of London, the British Museum (free entry) and the Camden and Borough markets; Stonehenge and Bath; the universities of Oxford and Cambridge; medieval Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands; and mountainous Wales.

Culture

Home of Shakespeare, the Beatles and modern football (the Premier League is a global religion). London is one of the world’s most multicultural cities, and its Afrobeats and Afroswing scene — with artists of Nigerian and Ghanaian roots — defines today’s British music. The pub, tea and dry humour are institutions.

Food

Fish and chips, the full English breakfast, the Sunday roast and chicken tikka masala (dubbed a “national dish” of Indian adoption). Diaspora food is central: Nigerian and Ghanaian jollof rice and egusi, waakye and Caribbean curry are part of everyday London.

Sources

1. GOV.UK — Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): quem precisa e como pedir
2. GOV.UK — Standard Visitor visa (quem precisa de visto)
3. GOV.UK — Check if you need a UK visa
4. US State Department — United Kingdom Travel Advisory (Nível 2)
5. União Europeia — ETIAS oficial (travel-europe.europa.eu)