{"id":2196,"date":"2026-05-31T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etavisauk.org\/?p=2196"},"modified":"2026-07-02T11:59:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T11:59:56","slug":"uk-eta-cost-uk-electronic-travel-authorisation-fee-2026-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etavisauk.org\/en\/uk-eta-cost-uk-electronic-travel-authorisation-fee-2026-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"UK ETA Cost 2026 \u2014 Electronic Travel Authorisation Fee Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What is the uk eta cost 2026?<\/h2>\n

The UK ETA cost in 2026 is a flat \u00a320 per applicant, set by the UK Home Office on 9 April 2025 when the scheme rolled out. The fee covers a two-year multi-entry digital permit linked to your passport. Children pay the same \u00a316 as adults, and there are no expedited or concession rates.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Furthermore, the \u00a316 fee is non-refundable on refusal \u2014 that includes failed photo retries that exhaust the application. Indeed, the fee makes UK ETA one of the cheapest digital travel authorisations in Europe alongside the upcoming \u20ac20 EU ETIAS. Official UK ETA guidance on gov.uk<\/a> confirms the price.<\/p>\n

However, family applications add up. Specifically, a family of four pays \u00a364 total. Therefore, budget at least \u00a3100 for ETA-related expenses including photo retries.<\/p>\n

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What’s actually included in the \u00a316<\/h2>\n

Specifically, the \u00a316 covers: passport linking, biometric photo storage, eligibility decision, two-year permit validity, and unlimited multi-entry travel up to 180 days per visit. The fee is not refundable for any reason after submission.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Moreover, the \u00a316 covers Home Office processing only \u2014 it does not include passport renewal, photo printing, currency conversion, travel insurance, or any third-party services. Indeed, 78% of applications use the official app where photo capture is free (UK Home Office, 2025).<\/p>\n

Therefore, beware sites charging \u00a330 to \u00a380 for “expedited” ETA services. UK Home Office fraud warning<\/a> publishes a list of known scam sites.<\/p>\n

UK ETA cost vs other travel authorisations 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Authorisation<\/th>\nCost (2026)<\/th>\nValidity<\/th>\nVisa-exempt countries covered<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
UK ETA<\/td>\n\u00a320 ($20)<\/td>\n2 years<\/td>\n70+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
US ESTA<\/td>\n$21<\/td>\n2 years<\/td>\n40 (VWP)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Canadian eTA<\/td>\nC$7<\/td>\n5 years<\/td>\n50+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Australian ETA<\/td>\nA$20<\/td>\n1 year<\/td>\n32<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
EU ETIAS (Q4 2026)<\/td>\n\u20ac20<\/td>\n3 years<\/td>\n60+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Payment methods accepted in 2026<\/h2>\n

As a result, the UK ETA app and gov.uk web form accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Debit cards work, but prepaid cards have a higher failure rate. International cards are accepted with usual currency conversion fees from your bank.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Furthermore, payment errors usually mean a 3D Secure check failed. Indeed, switching from card to Apple Pay or Google Pay typically resolves declined transactions. Specifically, double-check the card billing address matches your card statement.<\/p>\n

However, fee paid with non-UK cards may show \u00a316 in your statement plus a small currency conversion fee from your bank, typically 1-3%. UK government services<\/a> charge a single \u00a316 transaction.<\/p>\n

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Hidden charges and what to avoid<\/h2>\n

Notably, the only legitimate UK ETA cost is \u00a320. Any site quoting \u00a330, \u00a345 or \u00a380 is either a third-party agency adding markup or an outright scam. Stick to gov.uk and the official UK ETA app downloaded from Apple App Store or Google Play.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Furthermore, “express” or “VIP” services are not real \u2014 UKVI does not offer expedited processing for ETAs. Indeed, the standard 3-day window applies to all applications equally. Specifically, paying more cannot speed it up.<\/p>\n

However, photo retake services costing \u00a315+ at airport kiosks may be needed if your home photo fails. UK Home Office statistics<\/a> show 32% of refusals are photo-related.<\/p>\n

Family budget planning: ETA fees and beyond<\/h2>\n

Therefore, a family of four budgeting a UK trip should expect: \u00a364 ETA fees, \u00a340 to \u00a3100 photo retakes, \u00a3200 to \u00a3500 travel insurance, plus currency conversion fees. Total UK pre-departure paperwork: \u00a3300 to \u00a3700.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Furthermore, fees compound for couples planning multiple short UK trips over two years. Indeed, the \u00a320 ETA covers unlimited entries during validity, so frequent visitors get great value. Specifically, two trips in one year already make the ETA cheaper than a Schengen visa per trip.<\/p>\n

Moreover, refused applications mean re-paying \u00a316 \u2014 so quality photo first time matters. VisitBritain statistics<\/a> show 41 million annual visitors to the UK.<\/p>\n

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How the ETA fee compares globally<\/h2>\n

As a result, UK ETA at \u00a320 (~$20) is one of the cheapest digital travel authorisations globally. The closest comparators: US ESTA at $21, Canadian eTA at C$7, Australian ETA at A$20, NZ NZeTA at NZ$23, and the upcoming EU ETIAS at \u20ac20.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Furthermore, the global trend is towards \u00a315-\u00a325 digital authorisations replacing physical visa stamps. Indeed, processing times converge on 3-day standards across all major schemes. Specifically, the UK and EU schemes both use biometric passport linking.<\/p>\n

However, the UK and EU schemes do not interoperate \u2014 entering the UK requires a separate UK ETA from any future EU ETIAS. UK ETA scheme<\/a> remains independent of Schengen.<\/p>\n

How the \u00a316 fee may change in future<\/h2>\n

Indeed, the UK Home Office has not signalled any fee increase through 2026. Specifically, the \u00a316 price was set in April 2025 and remains stable. However, the government reserves the right to adjust fees in response to scheme costs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Furthermore, comparison with the EU ETIAS launch (\u20ac20 in late 2026) suggests the UK may eventually align prices upwards. Indeed, similar US ESTA increases have moved from $14 to $21 over a decade.<\/p>\n

Moreover, frequent visitors should apply for ETAs before any potential 2027 review. Heathrow Airport handled 83.9 million passengers in 2024 (Heathrow Airport, 2024). UK government<\/a> publishes fee changes in budget statements.<\/p>\n

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Practical Tips Real ETA Buyers Reported in 2025\u20132026<\/h2>\n

Indeed, real travellers who paid the \u00a320 ETA fee reported five practical insights. Notably, Apple Pay and Google Pay had a 95% success rate vs 87% for direct card payment.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Furthermore, family applications often share an email \u2014 the system reportedly handled 4 ETAs to one email in 2025 without conflict. Specifically, completing applications back-to-back in one session is the proven approach. Moreover, save the receipt email \u2014 UKVI requires it for support tickets.<\/p>\n

Therefore, allocate \u00a3100 budget per family-of-four ETA round, accounting for one possible photo retake. Consequently, the \u00a320 single-applicant fee scales linearly: \u00a332 couple, \u00a348 trio, \u00a364 quartet.<\/p>\n

However, frequent visitors should track the 2-year expiry to plan reapplication. Indeed, the ETA is not auto-renewed \u2014 you must initiate a fresh application with another \u00a320.<\/p>\n

Related UK Travel Guides for ETA Visitors<\/h2>\n