The United Kingdom has announced that European travellers will be required to pay a £10 (approximately $13) waiver fee starting in 2025.
The move is part of an expansion of the UK’s electronic travel authorization (ETA) system, which was initially introduced for nationals of Qatar.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed the new regulations, stating that the non-refundable fee will apply to all visitors entering the UK without a visa or specific permissions to live, work, or study.
This includes infants and children. The new rules are set to be phased in over the next year, with the ETA program extending to travellers from all countries, including European Union (EU) citizens.
At present, the ETA requirement is limited to citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. In November, this requirement will be extended to include most other nationalities, including those from the United States, while Europeans will be added to the list by next spring. Notably, Irish citizens will be exempt from this new charge.
Cooper highlighted the rationale behind the expansion, stating, “Once fully rolled out, the ETA scheme will close the current gap in advance permissions and mean that for the first time, we will have a comprehensive understanding of those travelling to the UK.”
In a related development, the UK government has announced that Jordanian nationals will no longer be eligible to apply for an ETA.
Visa waiver programs are becoming increasingly common worldwide. The United States, for instance, has been operating its electronic travel authorization system, ESTA, since 2009, which costs $21 and is valid for two years. Similarly, the European Union's ETIAS, which will cost travellers 7 euros (approximately $7.50) and be valid for three years, is scheduled for implementation in 2025.
The UK’s decision to implement the ETA fee marks another step in its post-Brexit recalibration, following its formal departure from the EU in January 2020.
