Starting Wednesday, European nationals traveling to the UK will be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), a new entry permit aimed at strengthening border security.
The permit, which can be purchased online, is currently available for £10 (12 euros), but the fee will increase to £16 from April 9.
The system mirrors the United States’ ESTA program and follows its rollout for US, Canadian, and other visa-exempt travelers in January.
According to Migration Minister Seema Malhotra, digitizing the immigration system is a step towards a “contactless UK border,” with the ETA expansion reinforcing security through technology and innovation.
The permit allows visitors to stay in the UK for up to six months and remains valid for two years. It applies to all travelers, including minors and infants. Applications can be submitted via a smartphone app or the UK government website, with most decisions processed within minutes.
However, authorities recommend allowing up to three working days for approval. Once granted, the ETA is digitally linked to the traveler’s passport.
The new requirement applies to citizens of approximately 30 European countries, including all EU nations except Ireland. UK residents and individuals with existing immigration status are exempt.
Passengers transiting airside without crossing the UK border do not need an ETA. This exemption, introduced after lobbying from Heathrow Airport, applies only to Heathrow and Manchester airports, the UK’s two designated airside transit hubs.
The ETA program was initially launched in 2023 for Qatari travelers and later expanded to five neighboring Gulf nations. In January, it was extended to visitors from around 50 additional countries, including Argentina, South Korea, and New Zealand.
By the end of 2024, nearly 1.1 million travelers had obtained an ETA.
The UK’s system is similar to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is set to take effect in 2026 for visa-exempt travelers visiting 30 European countries, including France and Germany.
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