EU Tourists Have to Pay to Enter UK in 2025

The United Kingdom will require an electronic payment permit from European tourists starting April 2025 The registry, similar to the one already in place for the United States, will be linked to the passport and costs 10 pounds (about 11.8 euros at the current exchange rate).

A new hurdle for people making short trips for tourism and work between the European Union and the United Kingdom. Until now, it was enough to show a valid passport, but from April 2, 2025, the so-called Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will be implemented.

In practice, everyone wishing to travel to the United Kingdom, except for nationals of this country and the Irish, will need prior authorization, which can be obtained through the ETA or eVisa (in the latter case, for those using a visa). Although the application can be made in a few minutes, the response may take up to four days.

The new system, comparable to the US ESTA, will be valid for those who stay in the country for a maximum of six months over two years or until the holder’s passport expires (whichever is shorter). The ETA is digitally linked to the traveler’s passport and, according to the British government, “will strengthen security controls before people enter the United Kingdom and help prevent abuses of the British immigration system.” The procedure can be done through an app. In the case of Spaniards, applications can begin to be filed on March 5.

Accommodation, card… The user will need the original passport with which they will travel, access to an email, a payment system (card, Apple Pay…) and upload a photograph of the applicant. Details such as the duration of the trip and accommodation must be provided, as well as paying a fee of ten pounds (11.8 euros).

The ETA is designed as a registration system for tourists from countries that do not require a visa and currently only obligates travelers from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The plan is to extend it to all non-European travelers starting January 8, 2025.

For its part, the EU is also working on its own registration method for travelers outside the Schengen Area, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (Etias), whose launch has been delayed and is now not expected until next spring, reports Europa Press.