The UK government has announced a significant increase in the price of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), from €11 to approximately €20. This increase comes just a week after the official implementation of the system for European travelers, which could significantly impact the costs and planning of international travelers to British territory.
The ETA remains valid for two years and allows stays of up to six months per entry. It should be noted that this document is not a traditional visa, but rather an electronic authorization similar to those already in effect in countries such as the United States and Canada.
The requirement is mandatory for visa-exempt travelers from 87 countries and territories, including: 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, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay, and the Vatican.
This authorization must be obtained in advance, preferably at least 72 hours before travel, through the official British government portal or the “UK ETA” mobile app. Although a response is normally received within a few minutes, it could exceptionally take up to three days.
This measure particularly affects travelers who use frequent air connections to major UK airports, such as London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, or Edinburgh, as well as sea and rail connections from major European cities.
In light of this situation, authorities recommend checking the approval status before arriving at boarding points and always keeping a printed or digital copy of the authorization on hand. They also remind travelers that, despite the price increase, the duration of the authorization remains the same, allowing multiple entries during its two-year validity period.
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