London Calling… but showing up empty-handed is no longer an option

As of April 2, 2025, European citizens must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entering the United Kingdom.

The application can be completed online through the official UK platforms or with the help of travel agencies such as visaauth.com, which assist applicants in simplifying the process and improving the chances of approval.

📌 Key points

• ETA mandatory for EU nationals from April 2, 2025

• Application available through official websites or trusted travel agencies

• Valid for two years, allowing multiple stays of up to 180 days

• Transit passengers remain temporarily exempt

European travellers now subject to ETA requirements

Visa-exempt European nationals — including citizens of France, Belgium, and Switzerland — must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation before entering the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).

This digital entry permit, inspired by the U.S. ESTA system, was previously limited to nationals from 53 non-European countries.

87 nationalities now covered

With the inclusion of European countries on April 2, 2025, a total of 87 nationalities are now required to obtain an ETA prior to travel to the UK.

The system applies exclusively to nationals from countries exempt from short-stay visa requirements, including:

Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Spain, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, United States, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay, and Vatican City.

Whether travelling for tourism, business, family visits, or sporting events, these visitors must now complete the ETA process before arriving in the UK.

A quick and fully digital application

The ETA application is entirely digital. Travellers can apply directly through the official UK government website (www.gov.uk) or via the UK ETA mobile app for iOS and Android.

Applicants provide their personal details, upload their passport and a recent photo, and submit their form online. Once approved, the ETA is valid for two years (or until the passport expires) and allows multiple short visits — up to six months each time — for tourism, business, or study.

To make the process smoother, travel agencies like visaauth.com also offer assistance and verification services. These agencies help ensure that applications are completed correctly and that all documents meet the UK authorities’ requirements, reducing the risk of errors or refusals.

Temporary exemptions

Although the new rule applies to nearly all European travelers, a few temporary exceptions remain.

For example, French school groups visiting as part of an organized educational trip can still enter the UK without an ETA for now, provided that students carry a valid national ID card.

Transit passengers are also exempt as long as they do not pass through British border control (for instance, during a layover at Heathrow Airport). However, the British authorities have indicated that this exemption could be revised later in 2025.

Similarly, French day-trippers visiting the Channel Islands (Jersey or Guernsey) do not need an ETA until the end of 2025, as long as they do not travel through mainland UK. In those cases, a national ID card remains sufficient until the new requirement is extended to those territories.

A matter of security — and symbolism

By extending the ETA requirement to European citizens, the United Kingdom continues to tighten its post-Brexit border controls. Authorities highlight both security and efficiency, but the decision also carries strong symbolic weight: the era of free movement between the UK and the European continent has truly come to an end.

For travellers, the takeaway is clear — adapting to this new system is now essential.
The ETA has become a mandatory step for entering the United Kingdom, even for something as simple as a weekend getaway to London.