The UK is set to open the application process for its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to citizens from over 30 European countries starting Wednesday, 5 March.

Passport holders from these countries will need to obtain an ETA to travel to the UK from 2 April onwards. The application can be completed through a straightforward online process or via a dedicated app.

This step marks the latest phase in the implementation of the ETA, an online travel authorization system designed for travelers from visa-exempt countries, akin to the US ESTA system. The ETA was initially launched in November 2023 and expanded to include over 50 countries in January, covering citizens from the US, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Currently, the ETA fee is £10, though the UK government has suggested raising it to £16, a move that has faced backlash from the business travel sector. An ETA allows for multiple entries to the UK and remains valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

Eligible European countries for ETA applications from 5 March include: 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 further details and to apply, visit the Gov.UK website.

Meanwhile, the EU is preparing to roll out its own electronic travel permit, the ETIAS, which will follow the implementation of the new Entry-Exit System (EES). The EES has faced several delays and is now expected to launch later in 2025, with ETIAS following, not starting in the first half of that year.