European nationals can now apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK, as Britain takes another step toward fully digitising its borders.
The scheme officially opened on Wednesday, and from 2 April 2025, it will be mandatory for all European visitors.
The ETA is a digital travel permit similar to the ESTA system used in the United States. It grants permission for short visits of up to six months and remains valid for two years.
The application process requires biometric and biographic data submission and is available through a smartphone app or the UK government website. The UK Home Office states that most applicants receive an automated decision within minutes.
The UK began implementing the ETA scheme in 2023, first requiring Qatari nationals to obtain the digital pass. It later expanded in January 2024 to include five other Gulf nations.
By the end of 2024, the scheme covered around 50 additional countries, including Argentina, South Korea, and New Zealand. The latest expansion now includes European visitors, with applications opening from 10:00 GMT on 3 March 2025.
By the end of 2024, nearly 1.1 million travellers had successfully obtained an ETA. While the application fee was initially set at £10, it is expected to rise to £16 in the future.
Migration Minister Seema Malhotra emphasised that digitising the UK’s immigration system is a major step toward contactless border controls. “Expanding ETA worldwide cements our commitment to enhancing security through technology and innovation,” she said.
While most visitors will require an ETA, air passengers transiting airside at Heathrow and Manchester will remain exempt. This exemption follows concerns raised by Heathrow Airport, which feared a decline in passenger numbers if transit passengers were subject to ETA requirements.
However, travellers transiting through other UK airports, including Gatwick and Stansted, will need to obtain an ETA, as these airports require all international passengers to pass through border security.
The UK’s ETA scheme aligns with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will require visa-exempt travellers to obtain pre-travel authorisation before entering 30 European countries, including France and Germany.
However, the ETIAS rollout has been delayed and is not expected to launch in the first half of 2025.
