The United Kingdom | The UK Government is Planning a Further 25% Increase of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

The UK Government has confirmed that is planning a further 25% increase of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which would raise from £16 to £20.  

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a mandatory digital pre - travel permission for visa - exempt visitors, first introduced in 2023, valid for multiple, short - term, 6 months over two years (or passport expiry). It enables pre - screening of travellers to enhance security, with most applications via the UK ETA app, in minutes, though it does not guarantee entry. The UK Government indicated that 19.6 million ETAs were granted in the first two years of the system, until the end of September 2025.

Last year, the UK increased the Electronic Travel Authorisation rate by 60% from £10 to £16 with new value coming into force in April 2025. 

According to an information note from the Home Office, the equivalent of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the British Government intends to increase the cost of the ETA again by another £4 pounds, to £20 pounds. Although a data for this change has not yet been indicated, the most recent increase needs parliamentary approval. 

ETA Increase Details: 

•    Fee Structure: The cost rises to £20 per applicant. 
•    Implementation: The fee hike aligns with the mandatory enforcement of the ETA scheme, which begins 25 February 2026, meaning travellers without one may be denied boarding. 
•    Purpose: The increase is intended to support the funding of the UK’s migration and boarder system. 
•    Scope: This affects all - non - visa nationals (Including US, Canadian, Ausralian, and EU/EEA citizens) visiting the UK for short stays.

The increase which brings the cost in line with the EU’s upcoming ETIAS fee, was confirmend by the Home Office as part of the digital permit’s shift to full enforcement. 

 Another change, which comes into effect from 25 February 2026, will prevent eligible visitors do not have an ETA from boarding their UK - bound mode of transport. 

Travellers taking connecting flights at British airports and passing through UK passport control will still need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, unless they are transiting through London Heathrow or Manchester airports and do not crossing the British border. 

A Home Office statement said that as with all the UK fees, the cost of the Electronic Travel Authorisation is regularly reviewed, and the Government intends to increase the value of the ETA to £20 in the future.  

Chief Executive of the UKinbound tourism association, Joss Croft, saidf that rising visa and ETA costs risk pulling the tourism economy in the wrong direction and slowing down that growth. 

The head of the association added that international visitors have a choice, and the UK already has some of the highest entry in the world. Making visits even more expensive undermines the country competitiveness and puts valuable export revenue at risk. If the Government wants growth to be felt locally, it must rethink these increases and keep the United Kingdom, welcoming and competitive.

In addition, The UK Government also intends to increase the cost of the two - year visitor visa from £475 to £506 for travellers who do not qualify for an Electronic Travel Authorisation.

Link
https://www.publituris.pt/2026/01/27/governo-britanico-planeia-novo-aumento-de-25-na-taxa-da-eta