UK charges 10 pounds for ETA as Europe prepares for 20 euro ETIAS fee

How pre-travel authorizations now work

Online entry permissions have shifted from optional add-ons to standard border requirements across Europe, the UK, Korea and a growing list of other destinations. The model mirrors the long-running US ESTA: travelers from visa-exempt countries apply online, pay a small fee and receive electronic approval linked to their passport before airlines will let them board.

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation expanded to all non-visa nationals on April 2, 2025 and strict enforcement covering 85 nationalities including Americans, Canadians and French citizens took effect Feb. 25, 2026, per the Home Office. Fees run £10 to £16, with two-year validity and multiple stays of up to six months each.

In Europe, the Entry/Exit System is scheduled to be fully operational by April 10, 2026, recording biometric data for non-EU short-stay visitors. ETIAS follows in the last quarter of 2026, charging €20 ($22) for authorization valid up to three years across 30 European countries. Korea reinstated K-ETA for certain visa-exempt visitors on Jan. 1, 2025 and Brazil restored visa requirements for US, Canadian and Australian passport holders on April 10, 2025.

Who gets caught by the new rules

Tourists and short-term business travelers from visa-waiver countries carry the biggest adjustment, because trips that once required only a passport now demand pre-departure paperwork and a fee.

Digital nomads running frequent side trips out of Europe or the UK face repeat applications across jurisdictions. Transit passengers aren't exempt either: both ETIAS and the UK ETA apply to travelers merely connecting through airports.

Long-term residents holding valid permits can usually skip the new authorizations, though their digital status must be correctly linked to the passport they travel on. European nationals with UK eVisas have been refused boarding when that link failed, per Home Office guidance.

Costs, timing and how to apply

Applications run through official government portals or apps and cover passport details, contact information, itinerary and security questions. Most clear within minutes, though authorities recommend applying several days ahead because manual review can stretch decisions out.

• UK ETA: £10 to £16, two years, multiple six-month visits
• ETIAS: €20 ($22), up to three years, 90 days per 180-day period
• K-ETA, Brazil eVisa, Thailand digital arrival card: fees and validity vary by nationality

Check our country guides for destination-specific details and our visa updates for the latest rollout dates.