U.K. Expands Electronic Travel Authorisation to European Visitors, Costs Rise 60%

Starting today, European visitors are now required to purchase an entry permit to enter the U.K. This new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme mandates that all visitors who do not need a visa to enter the U.K. must obtain pre-travel authorisation online. The cost for this permit is initially set at £10 (€12), but it will increase to £16 from April 9. This move by the U.K. government aims to strengthen immigration security by screening individuals before they cross its borders.

The ETA scheme, which was initially rolled out to non-European nationals last year, including visitors from the United States, Canada, and Australia, is now being expanded to include European visitors. The U.K.'s migration minister, Seema Malhotra, emphasized the government's commitment to enhancing security through technology and innovation. The application process for an ETA is designed to be straightforward, with applicants providing a photo, biographic details, and answering questions related to suitability and criminality. Once approved, the ETA is digitally linked to the applicant's passport, allowing for multiple visits to the U.K. of up to six months over a two-year period.

Airlines, ferry, and train companies will be responsible for verifying the ETA status of travellers before they board. Budget airline easyJet has expressed that it does not expect the new permit requirement to negatively impact demand for travel from Europe to the U.K. The U.K. received 22.5 million visitors from the European Union in 2023, marking an increase from 19 million in 2022. This new requirement is part of a broader effort to enhance border security and streamline the entry process for visitors.

The U.K.'s decision to implement the ETA scheme for European visitors follows a similar trend seen in other countries, which have also adopted pre-travel authorisation systems to bolster security measures. The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) are examples of such initiatives, which aim to create digital records linked to a person's identity using biometrics. These systems are designed to remove the need for manual passport stamping at external borders and enhance the overall security and efficiency of travel processes.