The United Kingdom has made it mandatory for European travellers to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entering the country.

The new travel regulation, aimed at enhancing security and streamlining immigration procedures, officially came into effect on Wednesday, April 3.

Under this system, travellers from European countries must apply online for an ETA before flying to the UK. The British government announced that this step would help improve border security and facilitate smoother entry for visitors. The permit, which is digitally linked to the applicant’s passport, allows a stay of up to six months and remains valid for two years from the date of issuance.

Initially, travellers will be able to obtain the online entry permit for £10 (12 euros), but from April 9, the fee will increase to £16. The UK had already introduced the ETA system for citizens of the United States, Canada, and other visa-exempt countries. This policy is part of the broader border security measures initiated after the UK’s exit from the European Union (Brexit) in 2020.

According to Phil Douglas, Head of the UK Border Force, the ETA system is a crucial step toward modernising UK border control. He stated that the initiative would speed up entry procedures, enabling pre-screened travellers to use e-gates for faster processing.

“This program is primarily a border security measure,” Douglas explained. “It allows authorities to assess travellers’ immigration history and criminal records before their arrival.”

To obtain an ETA, applicants can submit their details via a smartphone app or the official UK government website. The application process has been available to European citizens since March. The new system applies to travellers from all European Union nations and nearly 30 other European countries, with the exception of Irish citizens, who are exempt from the requirement.