The UK's ETA Requirement Starts for European Visitors

From 2 April 2025, European visitors to Britain have to purchase an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in advance, as the UK follows other countries in screening people before they cross its borders. The scheme requires all visitors who do not need a visa to obtain pre-travel authorisation online, with Irish citizens excluded.

This article explains the cost, how the application works, who has to verify it, and how the requirement fits alongside the EU's incoming border systems.

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Cost, validity and exemptions

At launch, the ETA cost £10, though the government confirmed this would rise to £16 from 9 April — just a week later. Once issued, an ETA allows multiple visits to the UK of up to six months over a two-year period, making it a one-off step rather than a per-trip permit for frequent travellers.

The requirement was rolled out to non-European nationals first, including visitors from the United States, Canada and Australia, before being extended to Europeans. Irish citizens remain exempt. "Expanding ETA worldwide cements our commitment to enhance security through technology and innovation," migration minister Seema Malhotra said.

How the application works

Britain's Home Office said applying should be simple through the UK ETA app, with the vast majority of applicants receiving a decision automatically within minutes. Applicants provide a photo and biographic details and answer questions on suitability and criminality. Once approved, the ETA is digitally linked to the traveller's passport.

Airlines, ferry and train companies are responsible for verifying a traveller's ETA status before they board, so it is essential to have one in place before setting off. Budget airline easyJet said it did not expect the new permit to dent demand for travel; the UK received 22.5 million visitors from the EU in 2023, up from 19.0 million in 2022.

Photo by Ross Parmly on Unsplash

How it fits with EES and ETIAS

The UK's move mirrors a wider shift towards digital borders. The EU's much-delayed post-Brexit checks for UK nationals entering the bloc — the Entry/Exit System (EES) — were slated to be introduced from October. EES will replace manual passport stamps with digital records linking a travel document to a person's identity using biometrics.

EES is a precursor to an enhanced system, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will also require non-Schengen citizens to pay a fee before they travel. In other words, travellers moving between the UK and the EU will eventually deal with permits on both sides. If you are heading the other way, into the Schengen area, our guide on how to apply for ETIAS sets out the steps.