European travellers can apply for an ETA for travel to the United Kingdom from March 5, 2025.

The government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has announced further details on the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Guests from Europe will need the digital travel authorization from April 2, 2025. It can be applied for from March 5. Non-Europeans will need an ETA from January 8, 2025, and applications can be submitted from November 27, 2024. British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA.

From April 2025, travellers to Great Britain will need a paid electronic entry authorization (ETA) in addition to a passport.

• Travelers from EU countries affected from April 2, 2025
• ETA costs 10 British pounds (11.85 euros)
• Entry permit is valid for two years

The USA and Canada took the lead, and now Great Britain is following suit: In the future, an electronic registration (ETA) will be required for travel to the British Isles.

ETA allows multiple entries

The ETA costs ten British pounds (11.85 euros at the current rate) and allows multiple entries into the United Kingdom for a stay of up to six months within two years or until the passport expires. The introduction of the ETA is in line with the strategy of many other countries for their border security, it is said, including the USA and Australia. It should help prevent the entry of people who pose a threat to the United Kingdom.

ETA for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales

Travellers from countries for which no visa is required in Great Britain - this includes all EU countries - will in future require an electronic entry permit (ETA) in addition to a valid passport.

Travelers from EU countries, including Germany, will need the electronic entry permit from April 2, 2025. For other nationalities, it will come into force on January 8, 2025.

When applying for the ETA online, you must enter personal data and answer questions about the trip. There is also a processing fee of 10 pounds sterling (approx. 11.85 euros), which must be paid by credit card.

Applying for the ETA

Information on who can get an ETA and how to apply for it before entering the country can be found on Welcome to GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The ETA can also be applied for there. According to the Visit Britain tourist office, the easiest way to apply is with the "UK ETA app", which can be downloaded from the Google Play and Apple App Store. The decision is usually made within three working days, they say, but it can be quicker with the ETA app. To apply for an ETA, travellers must pay a fee, provide contact and passport details, submit a suitable photo and answer a list of questions. It is important that travellers use the same passport with which they applied for the ETA.

If the ETA application is rejected, the person concerned will be informed of the reason and can apply for an ETA again.

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