Entering the UK 2026

Since February 2026, an ETA has been required for every ferry passenger travelling to the UK. Here's everything you need to know before you cross - explained step by step.

The key facts about the ETA at a glance:

Detail	Information
Cost	£16 per person
Validity	2 years from issue
Processing	Usually under 24 hours, up to 3 working days
Maximum stay	180 days per entry

What is the ETA?

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital entry clearance for the UK - similar to the US ESTA or Canada's eTA. It isn't a visa but a pre-screening check: before you travel, the UK checks in the background whether you're permitted to enter.

The ETA is linked electronically to your passport. You don't need to print anything - it's checked automatically when you check in at the ferry terminal.

The UK rolled out the ETA system gradually from October 2023. Since 2 April 2025, all EU citizens have needed an ETA. Since 25 February 2026, the requirement has been strictly enforced.

Who needs an ETA?

All nationals of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland need an ETA, regardless of how they travel. The requirement applies equally to ferry, air, Eurostar and Eurotunnel travel.

Every traveller needs their own ETA, including babies and young children. Parents or guardians can apply on a child's behalf.

Who doesn't need an ETA?

The following groups are exempt from the ETA requirement:

• British citizens (travelling on a British passport)
• Irish citizens
• People with UK immigration status (e.g. EU Settled Status)
• People with a valid UK visa
• Irish residents travelling within the Common Travel Area
• Air passengers who are only transiting airside (without passing through border control)

Passport required - ID cards aren't accepted

Since Brexit, national ID cards are no longer accepted at the UK border. To enter England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you need a valid passport.

Your passport must be valid for the whole length of your stay. It's recommended to have several months of remaining validity.

Emergency or temporary passports

You can apply for an ETA with a temporary passport too. During the online application, you can skip the chip-reading step and instead upload a photo of the passport page showing the machine-readable zone.

How much does the ETA cost?

The fee is currently £16 per person. You can pay by credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. PayPal is not accepted.

The UK government has announced it will raise the fee to £20 in future, though no exact date has been confirmed.

How long is the ETA valid for?

The ETA is valid for 2 years from the date it's issued and allows unlimited entries. Each individual stay is limited to a maximum of 180 days.

The ETA becomes invalid early if the linked passport expires. In that case, you'll need to apply for a new ETA once you have your new passport. The ETA covers the whole of the UK: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

How to apply for an ETA - step by step

You can apply online via the UK ETA app (iOS / Android) or the GOV.UK website. The application takes around 10 minutes.

What you'll need

Have the following documents and devices ready before you apply:

• A valid passport (the one you'll travel with)
• A digital passport photo (no older than 3 months)
• An email address
• A credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
• An NFC-enabled smartphone (for the app route, to read the passport chip)

How the app process works

The application has five steps and usually takes about 10 minutes.

1. Photograph your passport: Take a photo of your passport's data page. All four corners must be visible.
2. Scan the chip (NFC): Hold your smartphone against your passport to read the biometric chip. This step can be skipped for temporary passports.
3. Face scan & photo: The app scans your face and you take a current portrait photo of yourself.
4. Answer questions: A few short questions about you, the purpose of your trip and any criminal record. You don't need to provide specific travel dates.
5. Pay & submit: Pay the £16 fee. You'll receive a decision by email - usually within a few hours, and no later than 3 working days.

Applying on someone else's behalf

You can apply for an ETA for family members or other travellers in your party. Using the app requires the person to be present (for the face scan). Applying via the GOV.UK website is possible without the person being present.

What happens if you don't have an ETA?

Since 25 February 2026, ferry operators, airlines and Eurostar have been legally required not to carry passengers without a valid ETA.

The check happens at check-in - not just at the UK border. Turning up at the ferry terminal without an ETA risks not being able to travel at all, and ferry tickets are typically non-refundable in that case.

This applies to every route: ferry, Eurotunnel, air and Eurostar.

Special cases

Beyond the standard application, a few special cases are worth knowing about.

Travelling with children

Every child - regardless of age - needs their own passport and their own ETA. There's no exemption for children; a full passport is required. Parents can submit the ETA application on their child's behalf.

School trips and group travel

School trips are no exception - every participant needs their own ETA. A previously discussed exemption for school groups has not come into force. Build in plenty of lead time: for a group of 30 pupils, 30 separate applications are needed.

Travelling with a pet

To bring a dog or cat into the UK, you'll need the following in addition to your ETA:

• A valid EU pet passport
• Microchip identification
• A valid rabies vaccination
• Tapeworm treatment for dogs (1-5 days before entry, confirmed by a vet)

Exact requirements vary by ferry operator. Check with your ferry company in advance about pet-friendly cabins or keeping your pet in the vehicle.

Transiting through the UK

If you need to pass through UK border control (for example, travelling on from England to Ireland by ferry), you'll need an ETA. Air passengers who only change planes airside, without passing through border control, are exempt.

Common mistakes to avoid

The same handful of problems come up again and again when applying for or using an ETA. These five are easy to avoid.

Applying too late

Although most applications are approved within minutes, some cases can take several working days. Don't leave your ETA application until the night before you travel.

Using the wrong passport

The ETA is tied to a specific passport number. Travel with the same passport you used when you applied. If you get a new passport, you'll need a new ETA.

Bringing an ID card instead of a passport

A surprisingly common mistake: since Brexit, an ID card will no longer get you into the UK. Only a passport is accepted.

Forgetting the children

Every child needs their own ETA - babies included. This is checked at check-in.

Using third-party websites

Only use GOV.UK or the official UK ETA app. Third-party sites offer no real benefit and charge several times the official fee.

Do I need a visa?

For tourism, visiting family, business trips and short courses of up to 180 days, most travellers don't need a visa - the ETA is sufficient.

A visa is required for:

• Stays longer than 180 days
• Working in the UK
• Studying for more than 6 months
• Permanent settlement

For more on visas, see GOV.UK.