Britain isn't in the EU or Schengen — and it has its own entry permit. If you're visiting the UK in 2026, you almost certainly need a £20 Electronic Travel Authorisation before you fly. Here's who needs it, and how it differs from ETIAS.
The UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is Britain's version of a pre-travel permit — similar in spirit to the US ESTA or the EU's coming ETIAS, but a completely separate British system. It's for visa-exempt visitors, costs £20, and you apply online before you travel. Since April 2025 it also applies to EU, EEA and Swiss nationals, so most short-stay visitors to the UK now need one.
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Required now? | Yes — in force for visa-exempt visitors |
| Cost | £20 per person (each traveler, including children) |
| Validity | 2 years, or until your passport expires |
| Stays allowed | Multiple visits, up to 6 months each |
| Who needs it | US, Canada, Australia, EU/EEA/Swiss and 80+ visa-exempt nationalities |
| Who doesn't | British & Irish citizens; anyone with a UK visa or residence status |
| How to apply | Official UK ETA app or GOV.UK — usually approved within days |
Apply only through the official UK government app or GOV.UK — avoid third-party sites that charge extra. Fee current as of 2026 (£20).
Do Americans need it? Cost, the ESTA comparison, layovers, and how to apply.
GuideDo Canadians need it? How it mirrors Canada's own eTA, cost, and how to apply.
GuideDo Australians need it? Cost, long UK + Europe trips, and how to apply.
GuideThey're unrelated. ETIAS (when it launches) covers the Schengen area; the UK ETA covers Britain. If your trip includes the UK, you need the UK ETA regardless of ETIAS. And in 2026, ETIAS isn't required at all — only the UK ETA is.
No. It permits visits of up to six months each, as many times as you like within its two-year validity. It's permission to travel, not a long-stay visa — for work or longer stays you'd need a different UK route.
Yes. Every traveler needs their own ETA, including babies and children — each is a separate £20 application linked to that person's passport.