The new UK Travel Permit for European visitors is out from today: what you should know

From Wednesday, European visitors in the UK will require a new new Electronic travel authority (ETA) Permit, marking a significant change in the UK travel rules. The purpose of the permit is to increase border security and simplify admission processes, but comes with price increase a few days after its launch.
What is ETA and how does it work?
The ETA is already in place for American, Canadian and other visa-free passengers, now being introduced to citizens of about 30 European countries except Ireland. It is digitally attached to the passport of the applicant, leaving several trips up to six months and valid for two years.
Applying for ETA takes about 10 minutes through a smartphone app or government website, requiring passport photo and facial recognition scan. While most of the applications are processed within minutes, the UK house office allows up to three working days.
Cost and transition period
Initially the price of £ 10 (€ 12) will increase from April 9 to £ 16 (€ 19). A buffer period will be for several months – expected to run by September or October – passengers are allowed for board aircraft and trains, even if they do not have any ETA yet.
Why change?
Phil Douglas, the head of the Britain’s Seema Bal, emphasized that this step is a border security measure. This system will allow the authorities to screen the immigration history and criminal records of the passengers in advance. In turn, an ETA passengers can use Advanced Agets of the UK for rapid entry, supporting the government’s vision of “contactless limits”.
Who is affected?
The scheme applies to most of the European Union citizens and visitors to other European countries. However, residents of Britain and people with an existing immigration status are exempted. Infants and children will also need ETA, although transit passengers who do not cross the UK boundary are excluded – Heathro Airport expressed concern about lost passenger traffic.
Global expansion of ETA system
The first was launched in 2023 for Katri visitors, the ETA scheme expanded in five Gulf countries before reaching Argentina, South Korea, New Zealand and about 50 other countries in January 2024. By the end of last year, approximately 1.1 million visitor ETAs were released.
The system reflects the delayed Etiias program of the European Union, which will require visa-free citizens to obtain a permit before a visit to 30 European countries, including France and Germany starting in 2026.
UK border control future
Around 84 million passengers passing through Heathro in 2024-A one-third-Britain government from the European Union is placing a big bet on the ETA to balance security and efficiency. While the infection may bring initial confusion, authorities promise to cross the border rapidly in the long run. Whether the system will meet expectations, it remains to be seen.