British authorities have released more details about the introduction of the ETA. The number of nationals that need an ETA is expanded in two phases. Travellers from the EU, excluding Ireland, will have to apply for an ETA if they want to enter the United Kingdom on 2 April 2025 or later.

Digital travel authorisation for the United Kingdom

The UK ETA is not a visa, but an electronic travel authorisation for people who are allowed to travel to the United Kingdom visa-free. You can apply for the ETA easily online, and it will be linked electronically to your passport after it is issued. You may use the ETA for multiple stays in the United Kingdom. Each stay may last no longer than 6 months.

Currently, travellers from most countries in continental Europe may travel to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland without a visa or an ETA. This will change, however. From 2 April 2025 onwards, travellers from continental Europe must hold an ETA or a visa to be allowed to travel to the United Kingdom. It is much easier, faster and cheaper to apply for an ETA compared to a visa. Therefore, you are advised to apply for an ETA instead of a visa if you meet all ETA requirements.

These nationals may already apply for an ETA

The UK ETA is currently only available for nationals of a few countries in the Middle East. This includes citizens of the so-called ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’, whose members are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Until recently, travellers from Jordan were also eligible for a UK ETA, but since 10 September 2024, they have to apply for a visa again to travel the United Kingdom.

Countries outside of Europe are added 8 January 2025

Soon, 49 other countries will be added to the previously mentioned six Middle-Eastern countries whose nationals are eligible for the ETA. Passport holders of the countries listed below need an ETA or a visa to travel to the United Kingdom from 8 January 2025 onwards, unless they also hold the passport of a country which is still exempted from the requirement to hold an ETA. They may submit an application for the UK ETA from 27 November 2024 onwards. Until 8 January 2025, nationals of the countries below may travel to the UK without an ETA or a visa.

ETA for Europeans from 2 April 2025 onwards

The introduction of the ETA for travellers from continental Europe is planned for a few months later. Irish nationals are exempted from this requirement. Although the UK earlier mentioned their intention to introduce the ETA for continental Europeans at the end of 2024, they recently announced that this obligation will apply from 2 April 2025 onwards. The UK ETA application form will become available to continental Europeans on 5 March 2025. From 2 April 2024 onwards, they need an ETA or a visa to be allowed to travel to Great Britain. Nationals of the following European countries will be eligible for an ETA for their trip to the United Kingdom.