What is ETA? The UK is expanding its €12 entry permit scheme for European travellers!
The UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has officially been extended to European travellers. Starting from 2 April 2025, all European visitors will need an ETA approval or, for some non-EU nationals, a visa to enter the UK.
The system became mandatory for travelers from the US, Canada and Australia on January 8, 2025, following its introduction last November for citizens of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Applications for European travelers open today.
What is ETA?
The ETA replaces the single-entry electronic visa waiver (EVW) scheme, offering a lower-cost option with multiple-entry validity. The UK government notes that it is not a visa and does not allow entry into the UK. Rather, it authorises a person to travel to the UK. An ETA is now required for all eligible nationalities. You can find the full list of countries here.
How do I apply for an ETA to enter the UK?
Most visitors will be able to apply using a mobile app and can expect a decision emailed within three days. Everyone traveling must apply, including infants and children, but you can apply for other people.
The UK government says its app is the quickest and easiest way to apply for an ETA. You can download the ETA app from the UK government website. If you are unable to download the app, you can also apply online here.
To complete the application, make sure you have the passport you will be travelling with, an email address and a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. You will need to answer a series of eligibility questions. You do not need to enter your travel details. You can delete the application when you have finished applying. Your ETA will be digitally linked to your passport and you will not need to show anything else when you enter the UK.
When to apply for your ETA
The government says: “You must apply for an ETA before travelling to the UK. You may travel to the UK while you await a decision.” Considering that most applicants will receive a decision within three days, it can be assumed that you should apply at least three before travelling to the UK, although you can do so much earlier.
How much does an ETA cost in the United Kingdom?
Like the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) in the US, there is a fee attached to the application process. The ETA costs £10, approximately €12 at the time of writing. According to the British Home Office website, however, the UK “[intends] to increase the cost of an ETA to £16 (€129) in the future.”
How long is the ETA valid?
An ETA lasts for two years. You do not need to reapply during this time. You can travel to the UK as many times as you like during the validity period, but you cannot stay for more than six months at a time. Check the UK government website for more details on what you can and cannot do on an ETA. Note that you will need to apply for a new ETA if you get a new passport, as your ETA is linked to it.
Will I need a visa to enter the UK?
As mentioned above, an ETA is not a visa, but rather gives permission to enter the country. All visitors who do not currently require a visa will need to obtain an ETA before travelling. This includes those who do not currently need to submit any form of application to visit the UK. US, Canadian, Australian and European citizens also need an ETA for short stays or transit through the UK, for example.
Travellers from countries that do not have a visa-free entry agreement with the UK will need to apply for the appropriate visa and an ETA. If you do not apply before your trip, the government says you could be fined, although no further details have been given on this. You still need to apply if you are transiting through the UK even if you are not going through border control. The ETA allows you to come to the UK for six months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study.
You can also get an ETA in lieu of a visa if you are coming to the UK for up to three months on a Creative Worker visa concession or if you are coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement. Outside of these conditions, you cannot use an ETA to do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person.
Who doesn't need an ETA?
British and Irish citizens, people who already have a visa or permit to live, work or study in the UK, those travelling on a British Overseas Territories citizen passport and people living in Ireland and travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man do not need to apply for an ETA.
Why is the UK introducing the ETA scheme?
ETA is part of the UK's plan to digitalise its borders at UK airports by the end of 2025. The scheme aims to reduce queues at the border, "helping to speed up legitimate travel to the UK".
Facial recognition technology could be used to enable these "contactless corridors," reports the British newspaper The Times. It would require international travelers to submit biographical and biometric details, such as photos of their faces, through the new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme before flying.
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