The UK has begun accepting applications for the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) from citizens of more than 30 European countries as of Wednesday, March 5.
Passport holders from these countries can now apply for an ETA, which will be required for travel to the UK starting April 2. The application process is available online or through a dedicated app, described as simple and fast.
This move marks a key development in the rollout of the ETA system. Similar to the U.S. ESTA, the ETA is an online travel authorization for citizens of countries that do not need a visa to visit the UK.
The ETA system was first introduced in November 2023. It expanded in January 2024 to include citizens from over 50 countries, such as the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Currently, the ETA costs £10, although the UK government has proposed raising the fee to £16. This proposal has faced criticism, particularly from the business travel sector. The ETA permits multiple visits to the UK and remains valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
As of March 5, citizens from the following European countries can apply for an ETA: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Vatican City.
For more details on the ETA and to submit an application, visit the official Gov.UK website.
In a similar move, the European Union plans to introduce its own travel permit, known as ETIAS. However, ETIAS will only be implemented after the launch of the Entry and Exit System (EES), a new electronic border control system. This system has experienced multiple delays and is now expected to launch in late 2025. The ETIAS is not expected to be available before the first half of 2025.
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