The cost of the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is increasing from £10 to £16 as of April 9, 2025. This price hike comes just one week after the system was rolled out to European travelers.
On April 2, the United Kingdom officially extended its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system to all foreign nationals who are exempt from visa requirements. As of that date, travelers—including those from European countries—must obtain an ETA to enter the UK, even for short stays such as tourism, business trips, or family visits.
Just a few days after this final rollout phase, the cost of the ETA has been increased by 60%…
As of April 9, 2025, the ETA now costs £16 (approximately €20 / $22, including bank transaction fees), up from £10 since the program’s launch in 2023. The validity of the ETA remains unchanged: it’s valid for two years and allows multiple visits, each lasting up to six months.
The UK aligns with global Electronic Travel Authorization trends
The ETA is not a visa, but rather an electronic travel authorization similar to systems already in place in countries like the United States (ESTA), South Korea (K-ETA), and soon to be implemented in the European Union (ETIAS) and Japan (JESTA). Travelers must have an approved ETA before boarding any transportation to the UK—by plane, train, or boat.
The application process is fully online, either via the official government portal at www.gov.uk or through the “UK ETA” mobile app (available on iOS and Android). In most cases, applicants receive a decision within minutes, although approval can take up to 72 hours in some instances.
Why such an increase in the price of ETA?
The UK government announced the price hike in March 2025. The primary goal is to reduce reliance on public funding to support the country’s immigration infrastructure. The additional fee revenue is intended to help cover the administrative and security-related costs associated with processing the millions of travelers who visit the UK each year.
As with all our fees the cost of an ETA is kept under review.
UK Home Office
By comparison, the upcoming ETIAS system in the European Union, set to launch in late 2026, will cost just €7 and will offer a similar validity period.
Who needs an ETA to travel to the UK?
The UK ETA is mandatory for travelers from visa-exempt countries. This includes citizens of the following 87 countries and territories:
- Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Spain, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, United States. Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay, and the Vatican.
I’m somewhat confused about the ETA visa. We will be traveling from the United States to Sweden with a connecting flight at Heathrow. Do we need this visa?
Hi Jo,
If you go through British immigration at Heathrow: yes.
If not, the ETA is not required.
Please contact your airline for confirmation.