Visa

UK ETA: what it really costs, and who needs one

20 £, on gov.uk. Not a penny more.

The only place to apply

On the UK government website, or in the official UK ETA app. Sites at the top of search results are often intermediaries: they fill in the same form and charge a service fee on top. gov.uk says so itself: "Other websites may charge more to apply. Avoid websites that imitate government services."

Apply for an ETA on gov.uk

The answers

What is the official website for the UK ETA?
gov.uk, the UK government website (https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply), or the official UK ETA app. Other websites offering to apply charge a service fee on top of the official price; gov.uk itself warns against websites that imitate government services.
How much does the UK ETA cost?
20 £ on the official website (price checked on gov.uk on 2026-09-14). Any higher price is an intermediary's.
Do EU citizens need a UK ETA?
Yes. Since 2 April 2025, European nationals except Irish citizens need an ETA before travelling to the UK, including for a short tourist stay.
Do children need a UK ETA?
Yes. According to gov.uk, every traveller needs their own ETA, including babies and children.
Do I need an ETA for a layover in London?
Yes if the connection takes you through UK border control before continuing your journey, according to gov.uk.
How long can I stay with an ETA?
Up to 6 mois per visit, according to gov.uk, in the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.

The 83 passports that need an ETA

Europeans, since 2 April 2025 — 34

Other passports — 49

No ETA: British and Irish citizens, and people with permission to live, work or study in the UK. 114 other passports need a visa, not an ETA — including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal.

Sources: gov.uk/eta, checked on 2026-09-14. Passport list computed from the site's visa data, corrected for the requirement on Europeans. Rules change: gov.uk is authoritative on the day of travel.