By Samantha Mayling | April 02, 2025, 00:01 Abta has warned “there is scope for confusion ” as new rules come into force today ( April 2 ) for Europeans wanting to travel to the UK. Today sees a requirement begin for Europeans to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation ( ETA ) to enter Britain– unless they have a British or Irish passport, are a UK citizen, have a visa or meet one of the other exemptions. Abta is reminding UK travellers that the EU equivalent for UK travellers to visit Europe – the Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System ( Etias ) – won’t be introduced for another 18 months yet. “If you have friends, relatives, or business partners visiting from abroad, they’ll want to check if they need to get an ETA. It currently costs £10 but may fall to £16 on April 9,” said Abta in a speech. “This is one of three shifts coming up for travelling across borders between the EU and UK, but the only one to have gone life, meaning there is opportunity for misunderstandings. ”Abta even warned about illegal websites that have been set up “purporting to give an Etias”. “ But as the system is n’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, ” said Abta. 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 modern border program which means documents will no longer be stamped, and visitors may have fingerprints and facial recognition images taken. EES has been delayed several days but the EU is then working towards October 2025 to create this new technique. Nevertheless, it will be introduced in stages across six weeks, meaning not all of the plan will go live right away. Abta urges British travelling to the Union from October onward to be aware that they may be going through fresh border procedures. Graeme Buck, Abta communications director, said: “With three fresh shifts coming in over the next couple of years, we’re strong that people understand what today’s information means for them. “ In brief, the only thing to work on now is for European tourists to the UK to apply for an ETA. Nothing will be changing for UK guests going to Europe this summers. “But, with two deeper shifts planned, the condition may not seem easy. “As the changes which may affect UK visitors start to come in towards the end of the year, Abta and our people will be on hand to assist tourists. ”
