Since the UK government has established long-term travel rules, European tourists will need new online entry permits starting on Wednesday.
Travelers from Europe will now require a digital electronic travel authorization (ETA) license, and UK officials say they are promoting safety and simplifying the entry process.
The buffering period may last for several months.
The license can be purchased online for £10 (€12) in the next few days, but the price has risen rapidly to £16 from April 9.
ETA is already visiting the UK for U.S., Canada and other visa nationals, and the country left the EU in 2020.
British Border Force chief Phil Douglas said the latest launch is part of a broader plan to bring ETA to tourists around the world.
“The plan is essentially a border security measure,” he said, adding that he did not expect the disruption of Wednesday’s launch.
He said the permit will speed up entry time and allow officials to check information, including travelers’ immigration history or criminal records.
He added: “The issue for individuals, though, is that we are building a contactless border, so if they are cleared for entry, they will be able to use our new egates and they will be able to cross the border faster.”
“People are still able to get on planes and trains during this introduction,” he said, referring to the buffer period, adding that it is expected to last for several months until “September or October.”
The license allows access for up to six months. It has a digital link to the applicant’s passport and is valid for two years.
The app can be made on smartphone apps or through government websites since early March, which has been open to Europeans. It is suitable for nationals of approximately 30 European countries, including all EU countries outside Ireland.
Plan to expand
Applicants will be required to provide photos of their passport and face. According to the UK Home Office, the process takes about 10 minutes.
In most cases, an application decision is made within minutes, but the government recommends that up to three working days be allowed.
Infants and children will need this as necessary, but flight passengers who transit without crossing the UK border are exempt from the scheme after being under pressure from Heathrow, fearing that passenger footprints have been lost through Europe’s busiest airport connections.
In 2024, nearly 84 million passengers passed Heathrow Airport, one-third from the neighboring EU.
The program was first launched for Qatar in 2023 and then expanded to five regional Gulf neighbors.
In January, it expanded to nationals in about 50 countries and regions, including Argentina, South Korea and New Zealand.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, nearly 1.1 million tourists will be awarded to the ETA by the end of 2024.
It does not apply to UK residents or anyone who already has UK immigration status.
The ETA reflects the ETIAS program for visa nationals to 30 European countries, including France and Germany, which has been postponed until 2026.
