UK Makes ETA Mandatory for All EU Passport Holders Starting April 2, 2025

As of today, April 2, 2025, all European Union passport holders, including infants and children, must possess a valid Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to be allowed entry into the United Kingdom.

EU nationals have been able to apply for the travel authorisation since March 5, 2025. With that transitional application period now concluded, the ETA has become a compulsory requirement for travel to the UK. Travellers who arrive at the border without a valid ETA will be denied entry.

“Eligible Europeans will need an ETA to travel from April 2, 2025,” the UK Home Office confirmed.

The ETA now replaces the previous Electronic Visa Waiver scheme and applies globally to all nationals who do not currently need a visa to enter the UK for short visits. Despite confusion in some media outlets, the UK government clarified that an ETA is not a visa.

“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,” the Home Office stated.

The key goal of the ETA program is to bolster the UK's border security and reduce abuse of its immigration system. The system enables UK authorities to pre-screen travellers before arrival.

ETA holders will be permitted to make multiple trips to the UK, staying up to six months at a time, for a validity period of two years or until the expiry of their passport, whichever comes first.

Applying for an ETA is intended to be fast and straightforward. The easiest method is via the UK ETA mobile application. Alternatively, individuals can complete the application process on the official UK government website if they do not have access to a smartphone.

Applicants must submit passport and contact details, upload a valid photo, pay the required fee, and answer a series of eligibility questions. Once submitted, the ETA is digitally linked to the applicant's passport, allowing the app to be deleted afterward.

Most travellers will receive a decision within minutes of applying, though the Home Office advises that a maximum of three working days may be needed in some cases that require further checks. “You will usually get a decision within three working days. Most people get a much quicker decision. Occasionally, it may take longer than three working days,” the Home Office noted.

Applications must be submitted individually, even for group travellers. The UK government clarified that each applicant may receive a decision at a different time due to varying review times. Applicants are also permitted to travel to the UK while awaiting a decision, as long as they have applied for an ETA.

In cases where an application is rejected, the applicant will be informed of the reason and may reapply. However, if an applicant is refused an ETA, they will not have the right to appeal. Instead, they must apply for a visa if they still wish to seek permission to travel.

The ETA currently costs £10 (€12), but this will change in a matter of days. Beginning April 9, 2025, the fee will rise to £16 (€19). “From April 9, 2025, an ETA will cost £16. This increase will reduce the reliance on taxpayer funding for the migration and border system,” the UK Home Office announced.

The ETA requirement does not apply to everyone. Those who already hold a valid UK visa, have existing permission to live, work or study in the UK, or are transiting through UK airports without passing through border control are exempt. British and Irish citizens, as well as individuals traveling with British overseas territories citizen passports or British National (Overseas) passports, are also not required to obtain an ETA.

Additionally, travellers who reside in Ireland and are coming from Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man, as well as French schoolchildren traveling under the France-UK school trip agreement, and individuals exempt from immigration control, are excluded from the requirement.

While specific application figures for the month have yet to be released, it is understood that a significant number of travellers — including EU nationals — have already applied for the new digital travel permit.

By fLEXI tEAM