Starting in March 2025, travellers from France, Italy, Monaco, and other countries who don’t currently need a visa for short stays in the UK will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This new requirement is similar to the US ESTA system and will apply to EU nationals and other visitors.
To get an ETA, you will need to complete an application online or via a dedicated app and pay a fee of 10 pounds (around 12 euros). Once approved, the ETA will be valid for two years and will permit stays of up to six months for tourism, visiting family, business, or short-term study. The authorisation also allows stays of up to three months for certain types of creative or paid engagements.
The UK government has stated that the new measure is intended to enhance its ability to monitor and manage the entry of people coming into the country and to help identify potential security risks.
