UK to enforce ETA travel permit rules from February onwards

The British government is set to strictly enforce checks on travellers from February next year to ensure they have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), after an initial grace period with lighter checks, the UK government said.

The ETA has been mandatory since April for citizens from Europe, the US, Australia and other countries, but checks have so far been rare as tourists were given time to adapt to the new policy.

“From 25 February 2026 eligible visitors without an ETA will not be able to board their transport and cannot legally travel to the UK,” the UK’s Home Office said.

Airlines and other carriers will check the authorization before travel, the government said. The ETA is linked to your passport and is easiest to apply for using the official app, which costs £16 (€18.20).

The ETA is a digital permit for short stays in the UK and an additional security screening that also brings millions in extra revenue for the government.

In the UK ETA app, applicants must upload a photo of their passport and, for those aged over nine, a photo of their face. They must also answer questions about employment and any criminal history.

As of April 2, the following European countries have required an ETA to enter the UK: Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czechia, Hungary, Vatican City and Cyprus. Irish passport holders are exempt.