In a significant shift to UK travel regulations, starting Wednesday, European nationals will be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entering the country. The British government has stated that this new rule is aimed at bolstering border security.
The ETA, which can be easily purchased online, will initially cost £10 (approximately €12), with the price rising to £16 from April 9. This move follows the successful implementation of the ETA for other visa-exempt nationals, including US and Canadian travelers, which began in January.
Similar to the US’s ESTA system, the ETA will now be compulsory for all European visitors from April 2. Migration Minister Seema Malhotra shared earlier this month that this digitalisation of the immigration process aims to create a “contactless UK border,” highlighting the role of technology in enhancing security and efficiency.
The ETA is valid for up to two years and allows stays of up to six months. It is required for all travellers, including minors and babies. The application process, which can be done through a smartphone app or via the government website, takes about 10 minutes, with most decisions made within minutes. However, the government advises allowing up to three working days for processing.
By Wednesday, nationals from about 30 European countries—covering all EU member states except Ireland—will need to obtain the ETA to enter the UK, following the country’s departure from the EU in 2020. The permit is digitally linked to the applicant’s passport once approved, and applicants must provide a passport photo and facial image.
There is an exception for flight passengers who are transiting airside without entering the UK. This exemption was made following concerns from Heathrow Airport, which feared that the new rule could reduce passenger traffic. Only Heathrow and Manchester airports currently offer airside transit in the UK.
In 2024, Heathrow saw nearly 84 million passengers, with around a third of them coming from the EU. The ETA system, which initially launched in 2023 for Qatar, has since been expanded to several Gulf countries and about 50 other nations, including Argentina, South Korea, and New Zealand.
As of the end of 2024, nearly 1.1 million ETA approvals had been issued. However, the new requirement does not apply to UK residents or those with existing UK immigration status.
This new system mirrors the European ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), which will apply to visa-exempt travelers to Europe. However, ETIAS has been delayed and is now expected to roll out in 2026.
