New Fee for European Travelers Entering the UK Starting in 2025
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Starting in 2025, European travelers will face a new entry fee to visit the UK. All visitors from countries that do not require a visa will need to pay a £10 (approximately $13) waiver fee under new regulations set to be implemented next year.
The UK is expanding its electronic travel authorization (ETA) system, which was initially introduced for travelers from Qatar, to include citizens from all other countries, including those from the European Union. This non-refundable fee will apply to everyone visiting the UK without a visa or permission to live, work, or study, as announced by UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Currently, nationals from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates must obtain an ETA before entering the UK. The scheme will soon extend to include most other nationalities, including those from the United States, starting in November. By the spring of next year, European nationals will also be required to obtain an ETA.
Cooper emphasized the significance of the new scheme, 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 traveling to the UK.”
In addition, Jordanian nationals will no longer be able to apply for an ETA to enter the UK, according to the UK government’s latest updates.
Visa waiver systems are not a new concept. For example, the United States introduced its electronic travel authorization, ESTA, in 2009. ESTA, which costs $21 and is valid for two years, is a model similar to what the UK is now adopting. Meanwhile, the European Union’s own electronic travel information and authorization system (ETIAS), which will cost travelers 7 euros (about $7.50) and be valid for three years, has been delayed until 2025.
The introduction of the ETA system in the UK follows the country’s departure from the European Union in January 2020, reflecting a broader trend towards more stringent travel regulations.
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