UK ETA: how to apply
If you're heading to London, Scotland, or even just connecting through a British airport, you need prior authorisation. It isn't a visa, but without it you won't board.
What the ETA is
An electronic travel authorisation the UK requires from travellers who don't need a visa, including EU citizens. It isn't a visa or a physical stamp: it's linked digitally to your passport number, so there's nothing to print.
Since when it's required
EU citizens have needed it since April 2025. And there's an important change from February 2026: applying is no longer enough. Airlines won't let you board without an approved decision, so leaving it to the day before is risky.
Cost and validity
The fee is around 20 pounds, roughly 23 or 24 euros. It rose from an initial 16 pounds, so check the current price when applying. Once granted it lasts two years, or until your passport expires if that comes first, and allows multiple entries.
Who needs one
Any non-resident travelling for tourism, short business trips or study of under six months. And here's the detail most people miss: you also need one to transit, even without leaving the airport. Children and babies each need their own, with a separate application.
When to apply
Decisions usually arrive within hours, but the official window can stretch to three working days, and sometimes extra documents are requested. Apply as soon as your flights are booked, not the week you leave.
Watch out for fake sites
Plenty of pages charge a commission for a process you can do yourself in ten minutes. Always use the official UK government site or its app. If a site asks for 60 or 90 euros, it isn't the official one.
What it doesn't cover
The ETA doesn't allow you to work or study for more than six months — that still needs a visa. And having one approved doesn't guarantee entry; the final decision always rests with the border officer.
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