With immediate effect, EU citizens require an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. An application can be made using the UK ETA app, which can be downloaded from the Google Play and Apple App Store, or via the gov.uk website. An ETA is subject to a fee and allows multiple trips to the UK for stays of up to six months over a two-year period or until the holder's passport expires, whichever comes first.
Applicants pay a fee, currently £10 (from 9 April 2025, an ETA will cost £16), provide contact and passport details, submit a valid photo and answer a few questions.
In most cases, an automatic decision is made within a few minutes after a successful application via the UK ETA app, so spontaneous trips to the United Kingdom are still possible. Travellers must use the same passport as for an ETA application.
This digital authorisation is valid worldwide for travellers who do not currently require a short-stay visa or who do not yet have an immigration status in the United Kingdom.