UK ETA delay: Europeans not required before 2025
The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation system, initially planned for late 2024, will now roll out in phases—starting with non-European countries in autumn 2024, and EU/EEA/Swiss passport holders not until early 2025.
Initially planned for the end of 2024, the UK’s full rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system could now come into force in early 2025.
The British government has decided to extend ETA implementation to visa-exempt travellers, aiming to make the electronic border-management system fully operational over the coming months.
Travellers from countries including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait and Oman already need this authorisation when visiting the UK.
Tom Pursglove, the UK’s Minister of State for Immigration, confirmed that ETA rollout will proceed in two distinct phases:
The first phase affecting non-European visitors will take effect from autumn 2024.
The second phase, covering all EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, is scheduled for early 2025.
Who needs an ETA from autumn 2024?
Visa-exempt nationalities that must obtain an ETA to enter the UK from autumn 2024 include: Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Costa Rica, the United States, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong, the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macau, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Nauru, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, San Marino, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, the Seychelles, Singapore, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uruguay and the Vatican.
When must EU/EEA/Swiss passport holders apply?
Citizens of the following European countries will need to secure an ETA before travel to the UK starting in early 2025: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
The UK’s broader move toward digital immigration checks
Alongside the ETA launch, the UK is progressing with full digitalisation of immigration processes through its eVisa initiative. By mid-2024, holders of UK biometric residence permits will be able to set up a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and access an online eVisa.1
The programme aims to replace physical immigration documents—known as biometric residence permits—with secure digital proof of status, streamlining how travellers update personal details and prove their UK immigration standing. This should cut the risks of document loss, fraud or misuse that currently affect physical permits.
Border management in the UK is transitioning to an entirely electronic system in line with European best practice for visa-free travel. The phased extension of eVisas and ETAs forms part of the government’s 2025 roadmap to modernise border security and improve the travel experience for millions of visitors.
