The United Kingdom has introduced a mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for European nationals, marking another step in its move towards a fully digital border system.
Starting April 2, 2025, travelers from Europe will be required to obtain an ETA before visiting the UK for short stays. Applications opened at 10:00 GMT on Wednesday, allowing travelers to apply in advance for the digital travel pass.
The ETA system, similar to the ESTA scheme in the United States, was first introduced in 2023 for Qatari nationals before expanding to other Gulf countries. In January 2025, it was extended to include 50 more countries, such as Argentina, South Korea, and New Zealand.
Currently priced at £10 ($12.70/€12), the ETA will soon increase to £16 and will allow visits of up to six months, remaining valid for two years. Applications can be completed via a smartphone app or the UK government website, with most decisions processed within minutes.
UK Migration Minister Seema Malhotra described the initiative as part of efforts to digitize the immigration system, making UK borders more secure and efficient.
However, some major UK airports—such as Gatwick and Stansted—will require transit passengers to obtain an ETA, unlike Heathrow and Manchester, which have airside transit exemptions.
The UK’s ETA rollout comes ahead of Europe’s ETIAS system, which will require visa-exempt nationals to obtain pre-travel approval before entering 30 European countries. However, ETIAS has faced delays and is not expected to launch until late 2025.
