New UK travel rules: European visitors require ETA

From Wednesday, Belgian travellers planning a trip to the UK can apply for a new mandatory entry permit known as the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This permit, which costs £10 - approximately 12 euros - will be required for European travellers, excluding Irish citizens, entering the UK from 2 April.

The ETA system was introduced by the British government in November 2023 and has been mandatory for non-European travellers without a visa or legal residency rights since 8 January. From next month, European travellers will also need to obtain an ETA before departure.

How ETA works

The ETA is a digital travel authorisation linked to the traveller’s passport. It is not a visa and does not guarantee entry to the UK, but it is a prerequisite for boarding a flight, train or ferry to the country.

The permit is valid for two years, or until the passport expires, and allows multiple visits of up to six months each time. However, travellers who require a visa for their stay do not need an ETA.

The UK government has promised a quick application process, saying that most applicants will receive a decision within three days. Applications can be made via the official UK government website or the UK ETA app on the App Store and Google Play.

Border control

Despite the additional documentation, the UK authorities expect minimal disruption at border crossings. The ETA is digitally integrated into the passport and will be automatically verified when scanned at entry points. Eurostar, which operates high-speed trains to London, has assured passengers that the new requirement will have little impact on travel times.

Dual citizens holding British or Irish passports are exempt from the ETA requirement. 

Initially, transit passengers changing flights at UK airports were required to apply for an ETA, but the UK Home Office has announced a temporary exemption for those not passing through border control. This policy will be reviewed regularly.

^{A customs officer at Brussels Airport © BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE}