ABTA offers clarity for travellers between the UK and Europe as new requirement comes in
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dhewitt@abta.co.uk Wed, 04/02/2025 - 16:06
UK travellers going to Europe need do nothing yet
Today sees a requirement begin for Europeans to obtain authorisation (an ‘ETA’) to visit the UK. However, with other planned changes coming up but not yet in place, ABTA is reminding UK travellers that the EU equivalent (ETIAS) – for UK travellers to visit Europe - will not launch for another 18 months yet.
From 2nd April, European travellers to the UK will need to have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (unless they have a British or Irish passport, are a UK citizen, have visa or meet one of the other exemptions).
If you have friends, family, or business associates visiting from abroad, they’ll need to check if they need to get an ETA. It currently costs £10 but will rise to £16 on 9 April.
This is one of three changes coming up for travelling across borders between the EU and UK, but the only one to have gone live, meaning there is scope for confusion.
Whilst today’s change is about Europeans travelling to the UK, in time the UK will need to obtain a similar authorisation to travel to Europe (an ETIAS). However, that’s not expected until the end of 2026.
ABTA is keen that people are aware of the timing of ETIAS, and understands that there are already unofficial websites set up purporting to offer an ETIAS. But as the system isn’t live – and won’t be for some time – people who try to apply for an ETIAS now may be at risk of fraud, with a loss of money and possibly personal data too.
The other change will be the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), and ETIAS will not be introduced until after EES is up and running. The EES is a digital border system which means your passport will no longer be stamped, and you’ll have fingerprints and facial recognition scans taken.
EES has been delayed a number of times, but the EU is now working towards October 2025 to introduce this new system. However, it will be introduced in phases across six months, meaning not all of the scheme will go live straight away.
If you are travelling to the EU from October onwards, you should be aware that you may be going through new border processes.
Graeme Buck, Director of Communications at ABTA – The Travel Association said:
“With three new changes coming in over the next couple of years, we’re keen that people understand what today’s news means for them.
“In short, the only thing to act on now is for European visitors to the UK to apply for an ETA. Nothing will be changing for UK travellers going to Europe this summer.
“But, with two further changes planned, the situation may not seem simple! As the changes which will affect UK travellers start to come in towards the end of the year, ABTA and our members will be on hand to support travellers.”
ABTA has advice for travellers on ETA and ETIAS on abta.com (The UK’s ETA scheme and Upcoming changes for travel to Europe).
Notes to editors
ABTA is a trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry. We’re the largest travel trade body, with over 4,300 travel brands in membership who have a combined annual UK turnover of over £40 billion. We work closely with our members to help raise and maintain standards and build a more sustainable travel industry, and provide travellers with advice, guidance and support.
Our members sign up to a code of conduct and commit to agreed service standards and fair trading. When you need clear travel information, and accurate and impartial advice relating to your trip, we’re here for you. When you book with an ABTA member, reliable advice comes as standard. This means that booking with our members brings peace of mind.
All this together means we help you travel with confidence. www.abta.com
Continue reading...
Full Page image
dhewitt@abta.co.uk Wed, 04/02/2025 - 16:06
UK travellers going to Europe need do nothing yet
Today sees a requirement begin for Europeans to obtain authorisation (an ‘ETA’) to visit the UK. However, with other planned changes coming up but not yet in place, ABTA is reminding UK travellers that the EU equivalent (ETIAS) – for UK travellers to visit Europe - will not launch for another 18 months yet.
From 2nd April, European travellers to the UK will need to have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (unless they have a British or Irish passport, are a UK citizen, have visa or meet one of the other exemptions).
If you have friends, family, or business associates visiting from abroad, they’ll need to check if they need to get an ETA. It currently costs £10 but will rise to £16 on 9 April.
This is one of three changes coming up for travelling across borders between the EU and UK, but the only one to have gone live, meaning there is scope for confusion.
Whilst today’s change is about Europeans travelling to the UK, in time the UK will need to obtain a similar authorisation to travel to Europe (an ETIAS). However, that’s not expected until the end of 2026.
ABTA is keen that people are aware of the timing of ETIAS, and understands that there are already unofficial websites set up purporting to offer an ETIAS. But as the system isn’t live – and won’t be for some time – people who try to apply for an ETIAS now may be at risk of fraud, with a loss of money and possibly personal data too.
The other change will be the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), and ETIAS will not be introduced until after EES is up and running. The EES is a digital border system which means your passport will no longer be stamped, and you’ll have fingerprints and facial recognition scans taken.
EES has been delayed a number of times, but the EU is now working towards October 2025 to introduce this new system. However, it will be introduced in phases across six months, meaning not all of the scheme will go live straight away.
If you are travelling to the EU from October onwards, you should be aware that you may be going through new border processes.
Graeme Buck, Director of Communications at ABTA – The Travel Association said:
“With three new changes coming in over the next couple of years, we’re keen that people understand what today’s news means for them.
“In short, the only thing to act on now is for European visitors to the UK to apply for an ETA. Nothing will be changing for UK travellers going to Europe this summer.
“But, with two further changes planned, the situation may not seem simple! As the changes which will affect UK travellers start to come in towards the end of the year, ABTA and our members will be on hand to support travellers.”
ABTA has advice for travellers on ETA and ETIAS on abta.com (The UK’s ETA scheme and Upcoming changes for travel to Europe).
Notes to editors
ABTA is a trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry. We’re the largest travel trade body, with over 4,300 travel brands in membership who have a combined annual UK turnover of over £40 billion. We work closely with our members to help raise and maintain standards and build a more sustainable travel industry, and provide travellers with advice, guidance and support.
Our members sign up to a code of conduct and commit to agreed service standards and fair trading. When you need clear travel information, and accurate and impartial advice relating to your trip, we’re here for you. When you book with an ABTA member, reliable advice comes as standard. This means that booking with our members brings peace of mind.
All this together means we help you travel with confidence. www.abta.com
Continue reading...
