From today (2 April), Europeans need to obtain authorisation (Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)) to visit the UK. But there’s not yet a requirement for Brits to buy a visa or visa waiver to visit the EU.
The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) scheme – for UK travellers visiting Europe – will not launch for another 18 months.
But travel association ABTA has warned that there are already unofficial websites set up purporting to offer an ETIAS. However, as the system isn’t live – and won’t be for some time – people who try to apply for an ETIAS now may be at risk of fraud, with a loss of money and possibly personal data too.
What are the new rules?
From 2 April, European travellers to the UK will need to have an ETA unless they have a British or Irish passport, are a UK citizen, have a visa, or meet another exemption.
If you have friends, family, or business associates visiting from abroad, they’ll need to check if they need to get an ETA. It currently costs £10 but will rise to £16 on 9 April.
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This is one of three changes coming up for travelling across borders between the EU and UK. But it’s currently the only one that has gone live, meaning there is scope for confusion.
In time, Brits will need to obtain ETIAS authorisation to travel to Europe – but that won’t happen until the end of 2026.
The other change will be the EU’s new entry/exit system (EES), and ETIAS will not be introduced until after the EES is up and running. The EES is a digital border system that means your passport will no longer be stamped, and you’ll have fingerprints and facial recognition scans taken.
The EES has been delayed a number of times, but the EU is now working towards October 2025 to introduce this new system. However, it will be introduced in phases across six months, meaning not all of the scheme will go live straight away.
If you are travelling to the EU from October onwards, you should be aware that you may be going through new border processes.
Graeme Buck, director of communications at ABTA, said: “With three new changes coming in over the next couple of years, we’re keen that people understand what today’s news means for them.
“In short, the only thing to act on now is for European visitors to the UK to apply for an ETA. Nothing will be changing for UK travellers going to Europe this summer.
“But, with two further changes planned, the situation may not seem simple. As the changes [that] will affect UK travellers start to come in towards the end of the year, ABTA and our members will be on hand to support travellers.”
