What is the price of the UK eTA?
Are you planning to travel to the United Kingdom? The UK eTA (electronic travel authorization) is now required. Find out here how much the eTA costs, what the exact fees are, and how to pay. This guide gives you the official price of the UK eTA for all citizens concerned. A clear reference to find out how much this essential requirement costs before you leave.
Fast: Simplified, efficient process.
Security: information is protected.
Reliability: 98% approval rate.
Assistance: 24/7 customer support.
From 2023, the UK has introduced a new travel authorization system: the UK eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization). This procedure is now essential for many international travelers wishing to visit England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. But how much does the eTA for the United Kingdom really cost? What are the fees to be paid, and which citizens are affected? In this article, we provide precise answers to these questions to help you anticipate the cost of your trip to the United Kingdom.
Price of the UK eTA: How much does the UK travel authorization cost?
- The price of the UK eTA is set at £16 (approximately €19) per person
- This authorization is required to enter the UK if you are eligible
- Payment is made online by credit card
- This price is non-refundable, even if the trip is rejected or canceled
- The price is the same for all citizens concerned
Since its gradual rollout starting in 2023, the UK eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) has become a mandatory requirement for many travelers wishing to enter the United Kingdom. Unlike a traditional visa, it is faster to obtain, completely paperless, and much more affordable. But how much does the UK eTA really cost this year? Here are the key factors to consider before applying.
The British government has set the eTA fee at 16 pounds sterling (GBP).
This amount is the same for all eligible citizens, regardless of age or nationality. It also applies to children, even minors, as each person entering the UK must have their own travel authorization.
Payment is made directly at the time of application, on the official dedicated platform. This single rate reflects the willingness of the UK authorities to offer a simple, modern solution accessible to all.
Although payment is made in pounds sterling, many travelers pay for their application with a credit card in euros. The final amount in euros then depends on the exchange rate in force at the time of the transaction.
As an indication, with a rate of £1 = €1.20, the price of the UK eTA is approximately €19.20.
This amount may vary slightly depending on the bank used and any currency conversion fees applied to the transaction.
The initial fee of £12 was set when the UK eTA was gradually introduced. Since April 9, 2025, this amount has been revised upwards to £16. This is the first change in the fee since the system was introduced.
This update is intended to support the full rollout of the system for a greater number of nationalities and to strengthen processing infrastructures.
In addition to the official website, it is also possible to apply for UK eTA via specialized private service providers. These platforms generally offer full support to facilitate the process, for additional service fees, which are added to the official price.
Among the advantages often offered:
These services are particularly aimed at travelers who want customized support or prefer to delegate the entire procedure.
The cost of the UK eTA is the same for all eligible citizens, regardless of nationality, age or personal situation. Whether you are an adult, a child or a senior citizen, the price to pay is fixed: 16 pounds sterling per application, or approximately 19 euros depending on the exchange rate on the day. This rate was updated on April 9, 2025, after initially being set at £12. It applies to everyone equally, with no reductions or adjustments.
This uniform pricing policy simplifies administrative procedures and ensures equal treatment for all travelers concerned. Unlike some systems where prices vary according to country or profile, the United Kingdom has opted for a single, clear and transparent price.
The payment of the eTA is made exclusively online, directly at the time of application, via credit card. Each traveler must submit an individual application: even children must have their own eTA, and therefore pay the same amount as adults.
The UK eTA only applies to citizens of countries exempt from visas for short stays. The list of nationalities concerned is gradually expanding, according to a schedule set up by the British authorities. It includes:
All these countries are considered “visa-exempt nationals”: their citizens can enter the United Kingdom with a simple eTA, without going through a traditional visa application.
The list of eligible countries is subject to change. It is recommended that you check the official website of the British government to verify your eligibility before applying.
In summary, the price of the UK eTA is the same for all eligible citizens. There are no reduced rates and no exceptions. The aim of this system is to simplify, speed up and ensure the fairness of entry into the UK.
Payment for the UK eTA is made online only, at the end of the application process. It is a secure payment, made on the official website of the British government or, in some cases, via an approved platform. The amount to be paid is 16 pounds sterling (approximately 19 euros depending on the current exchange rate).
The means of payment accepted are international bank cards, including:
Debit or credit cards are both accepted, provided that they allow international online payments. No other payment method (such as bank transfer, check or cash) is authorized.
It is important to ensure that your card is activated for international payments and that you have a sufficient balance to cover the fees, including any conversion costs if your account is in euros or a currency other than pounds sterling.
The price of the UK eTA is non-refundable under any circumstances. This non-refund policy is clearly established by the British authorities and applies to all requests, whether accepted or not. It is mentioned from the earliest stages of the procedure, to avoid any confusion on the part of travelers.
This means that if you cancel your trip after obtaining your eTA, or if you change your mind, you will not be able to claim a refund of the costs incurred. Similarly, if you are refused entry to the United Kingdom, for example at the border, for a reason unrelated to your electronic authorization (missing documents, security reasons, overstaying your visa, etc.), the amount paid when you applied will not be refunded.
In this context, it is essential to carefully check your eligibility for eTA before starting the procedure. The application cannot be modified once it has been validated, and an eTA rejection would require you to reapply in full, with new fees to be paid. It is therefore recommended that you:
In summary, the price of the UK eTA is never refunded, whatever the situation. To avoid any financial loss, take the time to prepare your application carefully, check your documents and make sure that you meet all the conditions for entry to the United Kingdom before making the payment.
The launch of the UK eTA (electronic travel authorization for the United Kingdom) is part of a global trend towards simplification of entry procedures for national territories, particularly for short stays. In addition to its ease of obtainment, the eTA has an undeniable advantage: its very competitive price. But how does it compare to other types of British visas, or similar systems such as the American ESTA or the Canadian eTA? Here is a clear comparative analysis to help you understand better.
The classic visa for the United Kingdom, whether for tourism, business or transit, is much more expensive than the eTA. For example:
By comparison, the UK eTA costs only £16 and is valid for two years or until the passport expires. It allows multiple entries into the United Kingdom for short stays, generally up to 6 months per visit (depending on the type of entry authorized).
The result is that the eTA is much more economical for eligible travelers who do not require a long-stay visa or special status.
The UK eTA is in line with the electronic travel authorizations already used by other countries. Here is a comparison of the costs:
In terms of price, the UK eTA is comparable to the US ESTA, but more expensive than the Canadian eTA. However, all these systems have one thing in common: they are much cheaper than a traditional visa and allow visa-exempt citizens to enter the territory quickly.
It should also be noted that all these documents are issued electronically, without the need for an appointment or a trip to the consulate, which reduces the associated costs (travel, visa service, translation, etc.).
Find out if your question has been answered in the list below
Yes, the single price of the UK eTA, set at £16, covers all trips made during its period of validity, which is two years or until your passport expires. It is therefore not necessary to pay again for each stay. This flat rate is particularly advantageous for regular travelers, as it allows multiple entries into the United Kingdom at no additional cost. Whether you are coming for tourism, transit or a short business trip, the price of the eTA remains the same. This approach simplifies the process and makes the eTA much more economical than a traditional visa, which requires payment with each new application.
The price of the UK eTA is the same for all travelers, including children. There is no reduced rate based on age: each application, whether for an adult, a minor or even an infant, is charged at £16. This means that for a family traveling with several children, the total cost will be proportional to the number of people, with no possible exemption. Each child must have their own eTA travel authorization, linked to their passport. The price is therefore fixed and non-negotiable, in accordance with UK government policy, which applies a single rate to all eligible citizens, without exception.
Yes, if you renew your passport, you will have to pay the price of the UK eTA again, even if your previous authorization is still valid. The eTA is electronically linked to the passport number used when applying. If this passport expires or is replaced, the eTA automatically becomes invalid. It is therefore strongly advised that you check the validity of your passport before applying for an eTA, to avoid paying the price of £16 twice. This rule applies to all citizens concerned and is one of the official requirements of the UK eTA system.