The Punch 3 February 2025
Since Brexit, the United Kingdom has been tightening its borders, and on April 2, 2025, it will introduce a significant change that promises to reshape how millions of EU travellers cross into Britain.
While European Union residents have previously only needed their passports to enter, that will no longer be sufficient.
In a move set to impact not just tourists, but anyone travelling from the EU, the UK will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for entry, RTL reports on Monday.
“For decades, EU citizens have enjoyed the simple convenience of just showing up at the UK border. But with this new system, we’re shifting the landscape of travel,” it stated. “It’s part of the UK’s broader strategy post-Brexit to strengthen border security and establish a more comprehensive screening system for all incoming travellers.”
This change, which was initially rolled out in January for visitors from several non-EU countries such as Australia and the USA, will now extend to Luxembourg and all other EU nations starting in April 2025.
PUNCH Online in a check to the UK government website on Monday reports that the application begins in March and the implementation in April.
It read, “The UK is introducing Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) to streamline immigration, making it quicker and more secure for travellers. From 5 March 2025, Europeans can apply for an ETA, which will be required from 2 April 2025.
“The £10 ETA allows multiple visits for up to six months over two years but doesn’t grant entry—just permission to travel. This digital system aligns with global security practices, like those in the US and Australia, enhancing border safety and preventing threats to the UK.”
The ETA will be valid for two years, allowing multiple entries, but the fee could increase substantially—early discussions suggest a 60% rise in the cost, from the initial price of around 12 euros.
Children, infants, and adults alike will be required to apply for this authorisation before passing through UK border control, whether their visit is for tourism, transit, or business. The system will require personal details and a passport scan through an online portal.
“In theory, this will make our borders safer, but it will also mean more bureaucracy for travellers, especially those coming for short-term visits. It could change the way people view the UK as a travel destination,” warns Julia Tilley, an EU travel industry analyst.
While the UK government touts this measure as a necessary step to enhance security and manage the flow of people, questions remain about how it will affect British tourism.
“There’s always a balance between security and convenience,” says Tilley. “What’s unclear is whether this extra step will be seen as an inconvenience by travellers or a necessary safeguard.”
PUNCH Online reports that Brexit is a portmanteau of “British” and “exit,” referring to the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union (EU). This decision was the result of a 2016 referendum.
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Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet
We are making improvements to deliver a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year.
Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) are being introduced worldwide for visitors to the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have a UK immigration status.
Eligible non-Europeans need an ETA to travel to the UK.
Eligible Europeans can apply from 5 March 2025 and will need an ETA to travel from 2 April 2025.
An ETA is a digital permission to travel – it is not a visa and does not permit entry into the UK – it authorises a person to travel to the UK.
Applying for an ETA is quick and simple. Visitors should apply in advance and find out when to do so on GOV.UK.
An ETA currently costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.
The introduction of ETAs is in line with the approach many other countries have taken to border security, including the US and Australia, and helps prevent the arrival of those who present a threat to the UK.
How do people apply for an ETA?
- Information on who can get an ETA and how to apply before coming to the UK is available on GOV.UK
- The easiest way to apply for an ETA is through the ‘UK ETA app’, which can be downloaded from the Google Play or Apple App Store. People can apply on GOV.UK if they do not have access to a smartphone.
- Applying for an ETA is quick and simple. Most applicants get an automatic decision in minutes when applying through the UK ETA app, which means spontaneous trips to the UK are still possible.
- Visitors are advised to allow three working days for a decision on their application, but this is to take account of the small number of cases which need further review. Visitors should apply in advance and find out when to do so on GOV.UK
- To apply for an ETA, applicants need to:
- Pay a fee
- Provide contact and passport details
- Provide a valid photo, complying with our rules for digital photos on GOV.UK
- Answer a set of questions
People must travel using the same passport they used when they applied for an ETA.
How does an ETA help UK border security?
- Those applying for an ETA provide their biographic, biometric and contact details, and answer a short set of questions. This will increase our knowledge about those seeking to come to the UK and prevent the arrival of those who present a threat.
What happens if someone is not able to obtain an ETA?
- If a person’s ETA application is rejected, they will be told the reason and can apply again.
- If a person’s ETA application is refused, they cannot appeal and instead need to apply for a visa if they still wish to seek permission to come to the UK.
How does ETA work in Northern Ireland?
- The UK does not operate routine immigration controls on journeys from within the Common Travel Area, with no immigration controls whatsoever on the Ireland-Northern Ireland land border.
- However, everyone arriving in the UK, including those entering Northern Ireland, continues to need to enter in line with the UK’s Immigration Rules including obtaining an ETA if they are eligible.
- British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA.
- Non-Irish residents of Ireland from nationalities that do not need a visa to visit the UK (e.g. European and US nationals), do not need an ETA when travelling to the UK– including Northern Ireland – from within the Common Travel Area which includes Ireland, provided they hold acceptable evidence of their residence status. Full guidance on this can be found at GOV.UK. If they are travelling to the UK from outside the Common Travel Area, they will need an ETA before they travel, once required for their nationality.
Will the ETA fee increase in the future?
- As with all our fees the cost of an ETA is kept under review, and we intend to increase the cost of an ETA to £16 in the future. We will provide more information in due course about when the cost will increase.
- This increase will reduce the reliance on taxpayer funding of the migration and borders system.
Are ETAs needed by those transiting through the UK? If so, why?
- Following feedback from the aviation industry, the government has agreed a temporary exemption for passengers who transit airside, and therefore do not pass through UK border control, from needing an ETA. The exemption will be kept under review.
- Passengers who transit through the UK by crossing through the UK border will continue to need an ETA, if required for their nationality.
How many people have applied for an ETA?
- We publish data on the number of ETA applications grants and rejections on GOV.UK
Further guidance on ETAs is available on GOV.UK
