UK ETA Cost Breakdown 2026 — Full Guide to Every Expense

Understanding the full UK ETA cost breakdown before you apply helps you budget correctly and avoid paying more than necessary. This guide explains every legitimate cost associated with the UK ETA, based on official gov.uk guidance.

Quick Facts: UK ETA Costs

The Official UK ETA Fee

The core cost of a UK ETA application is £10 per person. This fee is set by the UK Home Office and paid directly via gov.uk. This single payment covers: processing your application; security and identity screening; digital registration of your ETA against your passport; full use of the ETA for its entire validity period (up to two years); and unlimited entries to the UK during the valid period.

There are no annual renewal fees, no entry fees per trip, and no charges for checking your ETA status. You pay once and the authorisation covers every eligible trip until it expires.

Currency Conversion: What Non-GBP Holders Pay

The UK ETA fee is charged in British pounds (GBP). If your bank account is in a different currency, your bank will convert the payment at the prevailing exchange rate, typically adding 1–3% as a foreign transaction fee. On a £10 payment this is negligible — £0.10 to £0.30 per applicant. To minimise conversion costs, consider using a multi-currency card such as Wise or Revolut.

Third-Party Services: An Unnecessary Extra Cost

Many travellers pay far more than £10 because they use unofficial third-party application services. These websites appear in search results and advertising, often positioning themselves as “official” — but they are not. Common charges range from £25 to over £80. The service they provide is simply submitting your information to the official gov.uk system and charging a premium. The UK government has explicitly warned against using these services.

Applying yourself takes fewer than ten minutes on gov.uk or the official UK ETA app. For help navigating the app, see our UK ETA app guide.

Family Cost Breakdown: Worked Examples

Solo traveller: 1 × £10 = £10 total

Couple: 2 × £10 = £20 total

Family of four: 4 × £10 = £40 total (children pay the same rate as adults — see our UK ETA for families guide)

Group of ten: 10 × £10 = £100 total — there are no bulk discounts; each application must be submitted separately.

When You Need to Pay Again

You will need to apply for a new ETA and pay the fee again when: your passport is renewed or replaced; your two-year ETA expires; you made an error in your original application; or your legal name changes on a new passport. See our guide on applying for a new UK ETA for full instructions.

Step-by-Step Guide to Paying the UK ETA Fee

1. Navigate to gov.uk/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta
2. Select “Start now” and confirm your nationality and passport type
3. Enter your personal details exactly as they appear in your passport
4. Upload a photo of your face using your device’s camera or a saved image
5. Review all entered information carefully
6. Proceed to the payment screen and enter your card details
7. Confirm the £10 payment for each applicant
8. Receive confirmation by email — most decisions arrive within minutes

Comparing the UK ETA Cost to Other Entry Schemes

The UK ETA is competitively priced compared to similar schemes: USA ESTA ($21 ≈ £17); Canada eTA (CAD$7 ≈ £4); Australia ETA (AUD$20 ≈ £10); New Zealand NZeTA (NZD$23 ≈ £11). The UK’s £10 fee sits at the lower-to-mid end of the range. For planning your UK visit, VisitBritain has comprehensive trip planning resources.

Tips to Keep Your UK ETA Cost as Low as Possible

• Always apply at gov.uk — any other service charges extra for a process you can do yourself in ten minutes.
• Use a Visa or Mastercard debit card — the most universally accepted payment method.
• Apply early — avoid last-minute resubmissions that require paying again.
• Double-check your passport details — an error means reapplying and paying again.
• Check for foreign transaction fees — use a zero-fee travel card if available.

Common Mistakes That Cost Travellers More

• Using a third-party service — the single biggest source of overpaying; some travellers spend £50+ on a £10 application.
• Applying with an expiring passport — shortens ETA validity, potentially requiring earlier reapplication.
• Incorrect details requiring reapplication — a typo in your passport number means paying £10 again.
• Not checking whether you are exempt — British nationals and Irish citizens do not need an ETA at all.

Frequently Asked Questions: UK ETA Cost

Is the UK ETA cheaper than a UK visa?
Yes, significantly. A standard visitor visa costs £115. The ETA at £10 is available to eligible nationalities as a far cheaper alternative.

Are there any free exemptions from the UK ETA fee?
British nationals, Irish citizens, and those with UK residency rights do not need an ETA at all. See our country-specific guides for details.

Does the fee vary by nationality?
No. The £10 fee is the same for all eligible nationalities.

Is the fee the same for multiple entries?
Yes. You pay once and the fee covers unlimited entries during the two-year validity period.

What currency is the fee charged in?
British pounds (GBP). Your bank handles any necessary currency conversion.

Can I get a refund if my application is refused?
No. The fee is non-refundable under all circumstances including refusal. Check our ETA status guide for what to do after a decision.

How to Budget Your Whole UK Trip Around the ETA

The ETA fee itself is only the entry ticket — the real cost of a UK trip sits in flights, accommodation and daily spending. When you plan your budget, treat the authorisation as a fixed administrative line item and build the rest around it. Booking flights eight to ten weeks ahead typically saves 20-30% compared with last-minute fares, and mid-week departures to London, Manchester or Edinburgh are consistently cheaper than weekend ones. Accommodation is the biggest variable: hostels and budget chains outside the city centre can halve your nightly rate, while staying near a Tube or rail station often costs less overall than a central hotel once you factor in transport.

Families should remember that every traveller needs their own authorisation, including infants. There is no family discount, so a family of four pays four separate fees. Build that multiplication into your planning spreadsheet before you commit to dates, and double-check that every passport in the group is valid for the full length of the stay.

Hidden Costs Travellers Often Forget

Beyond the headline expenses, several smaller costs catch first-time visitors out. Card payments abroad may carry a foreign transaction fee of 1-3% depending on your bank, so a travel-friendly card can quietly save you a meaningful amount over a two-week stay. Mobile roaming is another one: since many European operators reintroduced UK roaming charges after Brexit, a local SIM or eSIM bundle is usually cheaper for stays longer than a few days.

• Airport transfers: a pre-booked coach or train ticket is often a third of the price of an on-the-day taxi.
• Luggage fees: budget airlines charge separately for cabin and hold bags — check the total fare, not just the base price.
• Attraction tickets: booking major sights online in advance is usually cheaper and skips the queue.
• Travel insurance: not mandatory, but a basic policy is inexpensive compared with private medical bills in the UK.

When to Pay and How to Avoid Double Charges

Pay the ETA fee only inside the official application flow, never through a link sent by email or a third-party “express” site, which can charge several times the official rate for no added value. The fee is charged once per application; if your payment screen times out, check your bank statement and your application status before paying again, because submitting twice creates two separate applications. Keep the confirmation email until after your trip — it is your proof of payment if anything needs to be queried at check-in.

Is the ETA fee refundable if my plans change?

No. Once the application is submitted the fee is not refunded, even if you cancel your trip or are refused. That is another reason to apply with correct passport details the first time and to double-check spelling before paying.

Can I pay for my whole family in one go?

You can submit and pay for linked applications one after another from the same device and card, but each traveller still has an individual application and an individual fee. Make sure each application uses the correct passport for the right person.