UK ETA for EU Citizens

Do EU citizens need a UK ETA?

Most EU member-state citizens travelling to the UK for eligible short visits are covered by the UK ETA scheme. The ETA is a digital permission linked to the passport used for the application — it is not a visa and does not guarantee admission to the United Kingdom.

Since the end of free movement, EU citizens can no longer enter the UK on a national identity card for most journeys and must travel on a valid passport. For eligible short visits the ETA removes the need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa, and the granted ETA is electronically tied to a single passport rather than stamped into it.

Requirements

• A valid passport from your country of citizenship that you intend to travel with
• A recent digital photograph meeting applicable requirements
• A working email address for application communications
• A valid online payment method

Application process

1. 1Check eligibility and select your travel purpose
2. 2Enter passport details and upload the passport identity page
3. 3Provide applicant information and upload a recent photo
4. 4Answer the additional background questions
5. 5Review everything, accept the declarations and pay securely
6. 6Receive your reference, confirmation email and invoice

Fees, processing and validity

The package price is the total amount collected for the complete application-processing service, including payment of the applicable UK ETA application fee on your behalf. One applicant pays the individual price; when two or more applicants apply and pay together, the reduced family/group rate applies to every applicant. Premium Global Visas offers three options: Standard Service £60 individual (£50 per applicant family/group, processing target within 24 hours), Priority Service £80individual (£70 per applicant family/group, processing target within 4 hours) and Super Priority Service £120 individual (£100 per applicant family/group, processing target within 15 minutes). You may instead apply directly through the official UK Government service. Processing targets begin only after complete information, documents and payment are received; UK ETA decisions are made solely by the relevant UK authorities and approval and entry cannot be guaranteed. Where current rules apply, an ETA is generally valid for up to 2 years or until the linked passport expires, whichever occurs first.

Transit considerations for EU citizens

Travel between EU member states and the UK is typically quick and flexible, with short flights, Eurostar rail services through the Channel Tunnel and ferry routes. EU citizens may need an ETA where their journey involves passing through UK border control — including on Eurostar and ferry arrivals, which involve a UK border check. Confirm your specific route against official UK Government guidance before finalising travel plans.

Dual nationals and second passports

If you are an EU citizen who also holds British or Irish citizenship, or another qualifying UK immigration permission, you may not need an ETA. EU citizens who hold passports of more than one member state should apply on the passport of the specific country they will travel on. The ETA is linked to that one passport and you must travel on it.

Children and families

Every traveller who requires an ETA must have their own application, including EU children and babies. A parent, guardian or authorised person may prepare an application for a minor where permitted. Our family flow lets you add every applicant within one checkout session so a family can apply and pay together.

Common application mistakes to avoid

• Assuming an EU national identity card is sufficient for UK entry — a valid passport is required for most journeys
• Applying on a generic EU travel document rather than the passport of the specific member state you hold citizenship of
• Entering a passport number, name or date of birth that does not exactly match the member-state passport identity page, including accent marks and special characters
• Applying on a passport close to expiry, then renewing it before travel — the ETA stays linked to the original passport and a new application may be needed

Frequently asked questions