Travel to Great Britain: from April 2025 it will be serious!

Travel to Great Britain: from April 2025 it will be serious!

From April 2, 2025, traveling to Great Britain for citizens from EU and EEA countries will be much more complicated and more expensive. All travelers are then obliged to apply for an electronic travel permit (ETA UK) in order to enter the United Kingdom. The application can only be made online and currently costs £ 10. Anyone who does not use the official government page www.gov.uk or faster processing that are often hidden on non-offices.

The decision on the ETA application is usually made within three working days after payment of the fee. With a positive approval, several trips are possible within two years. It is important to note that the ETA is linked to the applicant's passport. If the passport runs off, the ETA also loses its validity.

Details for the ETA registration

travelers can easily submit the application on the smartphone via an app. Alternatively, the application can also be made via another device. Tips from the Upper Austria Chamber of Labor advise you to download the app from the official government side and apply for the ETA directly. Entry with an ID card is not possible; The full validity of the passport is also important.

The applicants must meet some prerequisites, including a valid passport and access to an email address. The payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, American Express and mobile payment options such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. The applications must be made individually for each person, also for toddlers.

Expansion of the application for European visitors

The introduction of the ETA for European visitors is part of the British government's digitization strategy, which was implemented last year for non-European nationals from the USA, Canada and Australia. According to the British government, around 1.1 million visitors have received an ETA so far, which means that the immigration system is to be made safer.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, emphasizes that the digital travel permit all incoming people are checked before entry. It is important to note that the ETA is not a guarantee of entry; Travelers must also see a border protection officer or use an EPASSPORT gate.

The ETA enables a maximum stay of a maximum of six months in the United Kingdom, but with restrictions: it is not allowed to work in Great Britain, neither paid nor unpaid, and also not to make any public funds. If frequent visits are suspected, this could lead to a violation of the conditions.

travelers who submit applications will receive a confirmation by email that is bound to the submitted passport. From April 9, 2025, the price for the application is increasing to 16 English pounds.
You can find more information on the official page: www.gov.uk