UK ETA Cost 2026 Guide
Part of our complete UK ETA guide. Ready to apply? See our step-by-step application guide.
Quick answer: a UK ETA costs £20 per person for applications from 8 April 2026 onward (£16 before that date). It’s valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and there’s no discount for children or groups.
UK ETA Cost 2026 (Fee)
| Application date | Fee per person |
|---|---|
| From launch until 7 April 2026 | £16 (approx. USD 20 / EUR 18) |
| On or after 8 April 2026 | £20 (approx. USD 25 / EUR 23) |
Every traveler including each child and baby in your group — needs their own ETA and pays the fee. There are no family or group discounts, and the fee is the same regardless of how many times you’ve previously applied.
Why did the fee increase?
The UK government raised the ETA fee from £16 to £20 on 8 April 2026 as part of a routine pricing review of the scheme. This follows a broader international trend — the US ESTA fee nearly doubled over the past year (from $21 to $40.27), and other countries’ digital travel authorizations have seen similar adjustments as these systems scale up.
Is the ETA fee refundable if my application is refused?
Digital travel authorization schemes like this one are generally structured so the application fee is non-refundable even if the application is refused, since it covers the cost of processing rather than the outcome. Always confirm the current refund policy directly on GOV.UK before applying, as this can be updated.
How the UK ETA Cost Fee Compares Internationally
If you’re applying for multiple travel authorizations for a trip that spans several countries, here’s how the UK’s fee stacks up:
| Scheme | Country/region | Fee per adult |
|---|---|---|
| UK ETA | United Kingdom | £20 (from 8 April 2026) |
| US ESTA | United States | $40.27 |
| EU ETIAS | Schengen Area (launching Q4 2026) | €20 |
| Canada eTA | Canada | CAD $7 |
| Australia ETA | Australia | AUD $20 |
The UK’s £20 fee sits roughly in line with Australia’s and the EU’s upcoming ETIAS charge, and is noticeably cheaper than the US ESTA — but well above Canada’s comparatively low CAD $7 eTA fee.
Validity Period
Once approved, a UK ETA is valid for:
- 2 years from the date of approval, or
- Until your passport expires — whichever comes first
A valid ETA lets you travel to the UK multiple times during that period without reapplying each time.
Maximum stay per visit: up to 6 months for tourism, business meetings, short-term study, medical treatment, or visiting family.
Renewing an Expired ETA
You cannot “renew” an ETA. When it expires — or your linked passport expires — you must submit a brand new application and pay the full fee again. Apply early to avoid gaps in your travel authorization.
Next step: check the full eligibility list or start your step-by-step application.
