From now on, European visitors travelling to Britain must obtain an electronic permit before arrival. The UK government is tightening immigration security by screening travelers in advance.
The new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme aligns Britain with other nations implementing pre-entry checks to bolster border security.
Under the new regulations, all visa-exempt visitors must purchase an ETA online for £10 (€12), which will increase to £16 from April 9. However, Irish residents are exempt from the scheme.
The Home Office initially rolled out the system last year for non-European nationals, including travelers from the United States, Canada, and Australia.
“Expanding ETA worldwide cements our commitment to enhancing security through technology and innovation,” Seema Malhotra, the UK’s Migration Minister, said last month.
The UK Home Office has assured that the ETA application process is straightforward and can be completed via the UK ETA app. Most applicants will receive automated approval within minutes. The application requires a photo, biographic details, and responses to security and criminality-related questions. Once approved, the ETA is digitally linked to the traveler’s passport.
An ETA permits multiple visits to the UK for up to six months within two years. Airlines, ferries, and train operators will verify a traveler’s ETA status before boarding.
Despite the new travel requirement, budget airline easyJet stated that it does not anticipate a decline in Europe-UK travel demand.
According to official data, the UK received 22.5 million visitors from the European Union in 2023, an increase from 19 million in 2022.
Meanwhile, the EU’s post-Brexit border security measures are set to launch in October. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace manual passport stamping at EU external borders with digital records utilizing biometric data.
The EES will serve as a foundation for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will require non-Schengen citizens to pay a fee for entry.
For comparison, UK travelers currently pay around £17 for a similar permit to enter the US.
The UK officially left the EU in 2020, and these evolving border policies reflect ongoing adjustments in post-Brexit travel regulations.
