UK eTA requirement & price 2026
From February 25, 2026, the UK eTA will be strictly required and its price will increase soon, affecting all visa-exempt travelers.
From February 25, 2026, the United Kingdom will apply with no tolerance its electronic travel authorisation (eTA) system. All visa-exempt travellers will be strictly required to hold a valid eTA before departure, otherwise they may face denial of boarding.
At the same time, the British government has confirmed that a new increase in the eTA fee is being prepared: the official fee, currently set at £16, will soon be raised to £20.
This dual change marks a key step in the UK’s strategy of advance traveller screening and will have a direct impact on millions of international passengers, particularly Europeans.
UK eTA: what changes in 2026
- 📅 Strict requirement from February 25, 2026
- 💷 Current fee: £16 → planned increase to £20
- ✈️ No valid eTA: boarding denied
- 🌍 Applies to all visa-exempt travellers
- ⏳ Valid for 2 years or until passport expiry
🛂 Until now, the United Kingdom applied a tolerance phase during the gradual rollout of its electronic travel authorisation. This period is now coming to an end.
From February 25, 2026, the eTA becomes a strict legal requirement for travellers who do not need a visa for short stays (up to six months).
In practical terms, no affected traveller will be able to travel without a valid eTA, whether for tourism, business or a simple family visit.
British authorities are clear:
➡️ without a valid eTA, boarding will be impossible, even if all other travel requirements are met.
The eTA is not a simple administrative formality. It is checked before departure, directly by airlines, rail or ferry operators.
An unauthorised traveller will therefore neither be able to board nor legally enter UK territory.
🎯 Stated objectives:
- strengthen border security,
- screen travellers before arrival,
- reduce irregular entry situations.
🌍 The eTA requirement applies to a wide range of nationalities, particularly since its extension to European citizens.
The eTA applies to all travellers exempt from a UK visa, including:
👉 These travellers were previously able to enter the UK with a simple valid passport. This will no longer be sufficient from February 25, 2026.
Certain categories remain exempt from the eTA, including:
⚠️ Warning for dual nationals:
people holding British nationality must travel with a valid British passport, otherwise additional checks may apply.
💷 The other major change concerns the official price of the UK eTA.
Since April 2025, the eTA fee has been set at £16 (around €19).
This was already an increase, as the initial fee was set at £10 when the system was launched.
👉 Full details on the current UK eTA fee
The Home Office has officially announced its intention to raise the eTA fee to £20 (around €23).
No specific date has yet been communicated, but this increase is included in a regulatory text approved by the UK Parliament.
📌 This text provides for:
➡️ Applying early could therefore help avoid a higher cost.
✈️ eTA rules also apply to certain transit situations.
Travellers:
must hold a valid eTA, even if they remain in the UK for only a few hours.
An exception currently remains for passengers:
⚠️ This exception is limited and may change. Authorities recommend checking your situation before departure.
📊 The eTA system is not new, but its application is now becoming fully operational.
Since its launch in October 2023:
⏳ The UK government nevertheless recommends allowing up to three working days to anticipate possible additional checks.
📝 All information relating to the UK eTA is published by the British authorities.
🔗 Official source – Home Office
https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-factsheet-november-2025/
This publication confirms:
🔔 Summary
February 25, 2026 marks a turning point for travel to the United Kingdom.
With a strict eTA requirement and an imminent price increase, travellers must now treat this formality as an essential prerequisite, just like a passport.
Find out if your question has been answered in the list below
Yes. From February 25, 2026, the eTA becomes strictly mandatory for all visa-exempt travellers visiting the United Kingdom for short stays. Without a valid eTA, transport companies will refuse boarding. This measure puts an end to the tolerance period applied during the gradual rollout of the system.
Yes. The Home Office has confirmed that a UK eTA fee increase is planned. The official fee, currently set at £16, will be raised to £20 in the near future. No exact date has yet been announced, but this increase already appears in a regulatory text approved by the British authorities.
A traveller subject to the eTA requirement who does not hold a valid authorisation will not be allowed to board for the United Kingdom. Checks are carried out before departure by airlines and rail operators. Even with a valid passport, entry to UK territory will be refused without an approved eTA.