Europeans must now apply for an ETA
Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) have been introduced worldwide for visitors to the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have a UK immigration status.
The ETA scheme was first introduced in 2023 with a phased approach for non-European nationals - including those from the US, Canada and Australia.
From today (2 April 2025), eligible Europeans must apply for an ETA to travel.
An ETA is a digital permission to travel – it is not a visa and does not permit entry into the UK – it authorises a person to travel to the UK.
Applying for an ETA is quick and simple, and visitors should apply in advance. Visit our ETA guidance page for information on what an ETA is, who needs to apply and further useful information.
An ETA currently costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. From 9 April 2025 an ETA will cost £16.
The introduction of ETAs is in line with the approach many other countries have taken to border security.