UK ETA Fee Increase: What Travellers Need to Know in 2025

The UK is moving ahead with a higher fee for its Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA, just days after the system became mandatory for more international visitors. The proposal would raise the price from £10 to £16, a 60% increase, while also removing the requirement for certain airside transit passengers.

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The Proposed New ETA Price

Under the proposed amendment, the UK ETA fee would rise from £10 to £16. The Home Office says the increase is intended to reduce reliance on taxpayer funding and could generate around £269 million per year. The measure still requires parliamentary approval, but if passed, the new price could take effect quickly.

Who Needs a UK ETA

The ETA is now required for many non-European visitors travelling to the UK, and European travellers are expected to need it from April 2025. The permit is part of the UK's wider effort to digitise border controls and pre-screen travellers before arrival.

Relief for Some Transit Passengers

One important change is that passengers transiting airside without passing through UK border control will no longer need to pay for an ETA. This exemption applies only to proper connecting journeys at airports with dedicated transit facilities, notably Heathrow and Manchester. Travellers making self-arranged onward journeys that require re-check-in or border entry will still need an ETA.

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Why the Travel Industry Is Concerned

Airlines and tourism groups argue that the higher ETA fee sends the wrong message at a time when the UK wants to attract more visitors. Industry representatives say the added cost weakens the country's competitiveness, especially when compared with the EU's upcoming ETIAS system, which is expected to be cheaper, valid for longer and cover multiple destinations.

Wider Impact on UK Tourism

Critics say the ETA increase adds to an already expensive environment for visitors, alongside high VAT on hospitality and rising air passenger taxes. For families and price-sensitive travellers, these combined costs could make the UK less attractive than competing destinations in Europe.

What Travellers Should Do Now

Anyone planning a UK trip in 2025 should check whether an ETA applies to their nationality and travel date, especially before booking flights. Travellers with connections through the UK should also confirm whether they qualify for the transit exemption or will still need authorisation before departure.