New Rule in the UK: EU Citizens Required to Apply for ETA Before Entry

The UK government began implementing new entry requirements for European Union (EU) citizens on April 2, 2025. They are now required to apply for and pay for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before traveling to the UK.

The ETA is similar to the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), being a mandatory and paid entry permit.

In the past, travelers from the EU arriving in the UK by plane only needed to show their passport upon entry. Now, the ETA scheme demands all visa-exempt travelers entering the UK to obtain entry authorization through a new electronic registration system in advance. The fee is £10 (approximately 12 euros), which will increase to £16 starting from April 9.

The program was initially implemented last year for citizens of non-European countries such as the US, Canada, and Australia, aimed at strengthening immigration security through pre-screening of travelers before entry.

Although some may perceive the ETA as a visa, it is actually a form of “visa waiver”. If citizens from a certain country already require a visa to enter the UK, they must still apply for a visa as usual (without the need for an additional ETA).

Countries usually follow a reciprocity principle in immigration policy. Following the US implementation of ESTA in 2009, it was expected that countries included in ESTA would introduce similar systems.

The complete list of 48 countries requiring an ETA to enter the UK has been published. Travelers from these countries have been required to have an ETA for entry since January 8, 2024, while EU citizens are formally included in the regulation from April 2, 2025.

Citizens of these countries who are already UK residents do not need an ETA. Irish citizens are also not affected by this requirement. Otherwise, even for transiting through the UK, an ETA is necessary (similar to an ESTA requirement for transiting through the US). Without an ETA, travelers will not be able to pass through passport control to reach the transit area.

The UK Home Office states that applying for an ETA can be easily completed through the UK’s official application, with most applicants receiving automatic results within minutes.

Once successfully processed, the ETA will be linked to the passport information, allowing the holder to visit the UK multiple times within two years, with each visit lasting up to six months.

Airlines, ferries, and train companies will be responsible for verifying passengers’ ETA statuses before boarding.

The low-cost airline easyJet has stated that they do not anticipate the new regulations to have an impact on travel demand from Europe to the UK.

As for entry into Europe, does the ETA also apply? No, it does not. To enter Europe, travelers will need to apply for the EU Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The system’s original launch date has been repeatedly postponed and is currently expected to be operational in 2025, with the specific date yet to be officially announced.

The UK officially left the EU in 2020.