New UK travel permit for European visitors rolls out today: What you need to know

Starting Wednesday, European visitors to the UK will need a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) permit, marking a significant shift in Britain’s travel rules. The permit aims to enhance border security and simplify entry procedures but comes with a price hike just days after its launch.
What is the ETA and how does it work?
The ETA, already in place for American, Canadian, and other visa-exempt travelers, is now being introduced for nationals from around 30 European countries, excluding Ireland. It is digitally linked to the applicant’s passport, allowing multiple visits of up to six months and remaining valid for two years.
Applying for an ETA takes about 10 minutes via a smartphone app or government website, requiring a passport photo and facial recognition scan. While most applications are processed within minutes, the UK Home Office advises allowing up to three working days.
Cost and transition period
Initially priced at £10 (€12), the ETA will increase to £16 (€19) from April 9. A buffer period will be in place for several months—expected to last until September or October—allowing passengers to board planes and trains even if they don’t have an ETA yet.
Why the change?
Phil Douglas, head of the UK’s Border Force, emphasized that the move is a border security measure. The system will allow officials to screen travelers’ immigration history and criminal records in advance. In return, travelers with an ETA can use the UK’s upgraded eGates for faster entry, supporting the government’s vision of a “contactless border.”
Who is affected?
The scheme applies to most EU nationals and visitors from other European countries. However, UK residents and those with an existing immigration status are exempt. Babies and children will also require ETAs, though transit passengers who do not cross the UK border are excluded—an exemption granted after Heathrow Airport raised concerns about lost passenger traffic.
Global expansion of the ETA system
First launched in 2023 for Qatari visitors, the ETA scheme expanded to five Gulf nations before reaching travelers from Argentina, South Korea, New Zealand, and around 50 other countries in January 2024. By the end of last year, nearly 1.1 million visitors had been issued ETAs.
The system mirrors the European Union’s delayed ETIAS program, which will require visa-exempt nationals to obtain a permit before traveling to 30 European countries, including France and Germany, starting in 2026.
The future of UK border control
With nearly 84 million passengers passing through Heathrow in 2024—one-third from the EU—the UK government is betting big on ETAs to balance security and efficiency. While the transition may bring initial confusion, officials promise smoother, faster border crossings in the long run. Whether the system will meet expectations remains to be seen.