Europe Travel Update-ETAs Required for the U.K. and the Rest of Europe Soon

If you are planning to travel to Europe or the UK next year or thereafter, he is an update on requied ETA’s (Electronic travel authorizations). These are not visas but are electronic authorizations that must be obtained in advance to allow you to travel to these destinations.

UK ETA Required  For US Citizens Starting January 8, 2025

Beginning January 8, 2025, U.S. citizens traveling to the United Kingdom (UK) will need to secure an electronic travel authorization (ETA) before their journey. These includes travelers who are just transiting through the UK for layovers. This new policy is part of the UK’s plan to completelyh digitize its borders by the end of 2025. This will affect all international visitors who are not either UK or Irish citizens.

For the UK, the ETA costs 10 British pounds and generally takes 3 working days to process (although it can take longer).  It lasts for 2 years or when the applicant’s passport expires (whichever happens sooner). It allows for multiple trips/entries. HERE is the link.

Long Awaited European ETA’s Reportedly to Be Required Starting Mid 2025

Europe has planned to require ETA’s since 2021 but has repeatedly pushed back the starting date. Currently the plan is to finally implement the ETA in mid 2025. It applies to 60 visa exempt countries including the U.S. and will be required for entry to most (30 different) European countries. The plan is for an European ETA to be valid for 3 years or when the passenger’s passport expires whichever occurs first.  For up to the date information, HERE is the official European ETA website: