This photograph shows the screen of a smartphone displaying the UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) app logo in Toulouse, southwestern France, on March 28, 2025. From 2 April 2025, all travellers from the European Economic Area will need to obtain an ETA to enter the UK. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)
European nationals visiting the United Kingdom will be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) starting Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The UK government announced that the new measure aims to enhance border security and streamline immigration processes.
The ETA, which can be applied for online or via a mobile app, costs £10 (12 euros) but will increase to £16 from April 9. The permit allows visits of up to six months and remains valid for two years. Similar to the ESTA system in the United States, the UK’s ETA will be mandatory for travelers from approximately 30 European countries, excluding Ireland.
Migration Minister Seema Malhotra emphasized the benefits of digitizing the immigration system, stating, “Expanding ETA worldwide cements our commitment to enhancing security through technology and innovation.”
The application process requires travelers to submit passport details and a facial photo, with most approvals granted within minutes. However, applicants are advised to allow up to three working days for processing. The ETA will be digitally linked to the traveler’s passport, eliminating the need for physical documents.
While the new requirement applies to most European visitors, air passengers transiting without crossing the UK border will be exempt, a move influenced by concerns from Heathrow Airport about potential declines in passenger traffic.
The UK first introduced the ETA system in 2023 for Qatari travelers before extending it to Gulf countries and other visa-exempt nationals, including visitors from Argentina, South Korea, and New Zealand. By the end of 2024, nearly 1.1 million visitors had been issued ETAs, according to the Home Office.
The UK’s move mirrors the European Union’s planned ETIAS system, which will require visa-exempt travelers to obtain an electronic permit for entry into 30 European countries, including France and Germany. However, the ETIAS rollout has been postponed until 2026.
