As of Wednesday, April 2 2025, all European nationals need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in order to enter the UK, whether it’s for tourism, business, or study for up to six months.

An ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK. It is not a visa and does not permit entry to live in the UK but instead authorises a person to travel to the UK for a limited time.

The ETA isn’t a new thing, however European nationals have previously been able to enter the country without an ETA or a visa.

The introduction of ETAs has been done to enhance border security as it helps prevent the arrival of those who present a threat to the UK.

It currently costs £10 per traveller and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. However the price will go up to £16 from April 9. 

To apply for the ETA, travellers will need to either download the official app or go onto the UK government website to start the process. However, it’s not been as easy as it ough to be.

Several people have taken to social media platforms, such as Facebook, to warn others after being scammed for hundreds of pounds after having accidentally used the wrong website.

One of these people were Australian traveller Michelle Jones, who took to a travel group on Facebook and said: “If visiting the UK as part of your European holiday be very careful as I just got scammed by the new UK ETA. Luckily the bank stopped it, but I filled in the form with a photo of my passport."

She explained: "When I went to pay it said $20.66 but they tried to take $132 out of my account. Unfortunately for me I tried to pay with my credit card and debit card. Both cards need replacing 1.5 weeks before we leave. You can't trust anything anymore."

A second person named Laura De Marco took to Rick Steve's Europe Group on Facebook and said: "Can someone help me with an ETA for UK. Looks like my husband has been scammed he paid 140$ for it. Others say it's only $20 Aust."

People were quick to take to the comments to say that the best ways to prevent being scammed is to make sure you're on the official "gov.uk" website, or to download the UK ETA app onto your phone or tablet.

Another person commented: "There are private companies that will do this for you. Most are probably legit, but they are for-profit businesses, so you’ll pay more. Always try to go through the country’s official mobile App or official government website, whenever possible."

A third person, Lorena McCracken Hiep, shared a message in the same travel group to warn others, showing how a 'scam' website came up first on Google when searching for the ETA application form.

She wrote: "If you google 'UK ETA', iVisa comes up first. It is a scam. Only use the gov.uk website, which will direct you to the correct app."

According to the Home Office, the easiest way to apply for an ETA is through the ‘UK ETA app’, which can be downloaded for free on Google Play or Apple App Store. People can apply on GOV.UK through a computer. Applicants will usually get your result within a few hours, but travellers are urged to allow three working days for a decision on their application.