UK ETA for EU citizens: Rules, process & more (2025) - UK Immigration consultancy in Mayfair, London

UK ETA for EU citizens is coming—do you need one? In this Global Law guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, including who needs an ETA, how to apply, costs, validity, and key differences between an ETA and a visa.

Do EU citizens need an ETA for the UK?

Yes, starting from 2 April 2025, EU citizens (along with EEA and Swiss citizens) will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK for:

Tourism and holidays
Business visits (meetings, events, conferences)
Visiting family and friends
Short-term study (up to 6 months)
Medical treatment (private healthcare visits)
Transit through the UK

You do not need an ETA if you:

Are an Irish citizen (Ireland and the UK have a special travel agreement).
Have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
Have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.
Hold a frontier worker permit.
Are an S2 Healthcare Visitor.
Are a Swiss national with a Service Provider from Switzerland visa.
If you already have a UK visa.

Do I need ETA for UK? Check with our tool.

What is the UK ETA?

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a new digital travel permit that allows non-visa nationals to enter the United Kingdom for short stays without a visa. It is part of the UK’s efforts to strengthen border security. Once approved, the ETA is electronically linked to your passport, meaning no physical documents are needed.

You can stay in the UK for up to 6 months per visit. The UK ETA is valid for multiple visits over a period of 2 years (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first).

UK ETA for EU citizens: Here's how to apply

Before applying for UK ETA, confirm that you meet the UK ETA requirements. You must be a citizen of a visa-exempt country and traveling for tourism, business, short-term study, family visits, or transit.

You will need:

A valid passport (the same passport you will use to travel). Digital copies are not accepted.
A digital photo that meets UK standards (clear, neutral expression, and plain background).
Contact details, including an active email address for receiving application updates.
A payment method such as a credit/debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay to pay the application fee.

For an error-free process, Global Law provides expert guidance to help ensure your application is accurate, complete, and processed without delays.

UK ETA vs. visa: What's the difference?

	UK ETA	UK Visa
Required for EU/EEA/Swiss travelers?	Yes (from April 2025)	No (unless staying long-term)
Processing time	48-72 hours	Several weeks
Validity	2 years	Varies
Stay duration per visit	Up to 6 months	Depends on visa type
Work allowed?	No	Some visas allow work

From April 2025, EU, EEA, and Swiss travelers will need a UK ETA for short visits, while a UK visa is only required for long-term stays. The ETA application takes 48-72 hours to process and is valid for 2 years, allowing stays of up to 6 months per visit. In contrast, a visa takes several weeks to process, has varying validity, and may allow work, unlike the ETA, which does not permit employment.

FAQs

Can EU citizens still enter the UK without a visa?

Yes. EU citizens do not need a visa for short stays (up to 6 months). However, from April 2025, they must apply for an ETA before traveling. A visa is only required for long-term stays or work.

Can EU citizens work in the UK with an ETA?

No. The ETA does not allow work in the UK. If you want to work, you must apply for a work visa under the UK's points-based immigration system.

Do EU travelers need an ETA for transit through the UK?

Yes. Even if you are only passing through the UK, you will need an approved ETA unless you are an Irish citizen or have another exemption.

Can EU citizens still use ePassport gates at UK airports?

Yes. EU, EEA, and Swiss travelers with an approved ETA can continue to use ePassport gates at UK border control for fast entry.

What happens if an EU citizen travels to the UK without an ETA?

Without an approved ETA, you will not be allowed to board your flight, ferry, or train to the UK. Airlines and transport operators will check for ETA approval before departure.

Do children from the EU need an ETA?

Yes. Every traveler, including children, must have a separate ETA. Parents or guardians can apply on behalf of minors.

What if an EU citizen has pre-settled or settled status in the UK?

If you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), you do not need an ETA to enter the UK. You can continue to travel using your passport or national ID card (valid until at least 31 December 2025).

Do Germans need an ETA for the UK?

Yes, starting from 2 April 2025, German citizens will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK for short visits. Learn all the details about UK ETA Germany here!

Countries requiring a UK ETA: