Starting this Wednesday, European travellers planning to visit the United Kingdom must secure an electronic permit before arrival, as part of a new security initiative designed to enhance border screening procedures.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) programme, introduced by the UK government, requires all visa-exempt travellers to apply online for a pre-travel authorisation. Priced at £10 (€12), the cost is set to increase to £16 from 9th April. Irish citizens are exempt from the new requirement.
Initially launched in 2024 for non-European nationals, such as visitors from the USA, Canada, and Australia, the scheme has now been extended to European visitors. The move comes as part of a global trend among nations tightening immigration controls.
In 2023, Britain welcomed 22.5 million visitors from the European Union, a significant rise compared to the 19 million recorded in 2022. The UK’s changes come ahead of the EU’s own modernised border security measures, expected to roll out in October. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will automate the recording of travellers’ biometric data, replacing manual passport stamping, while the forthcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will require non-Schengen travellers, including UK nationals, to pay a pre-travel fee.
This regulatory shift signals a new era for international travel, marking heightened security efforts and mutual measures between post-Brexit Britain and the European Union.