Travellers looking for ETIAS information may encounter unofficial websites that appear authoritative but are not run by the European Union. Some may act as legal intermediaries, but others can publish wrong information, collect personal data or add unnecessary charges.
UK passport costs rose again in April 2024, marking a second increase in just over a year. Travellers renewing soon should check the new fees early and leave extra time in their travel planning.
Travel rules between the UK and Europe are entering another transition phase in 2025. The UK is widening ETA coverage while the EU prepares ETIAS and EES, making pre-trip checks increasingly important.
The UK has expanded its ETA requirement to visa-exempt travellers from 55 countries, making pre-travel authorization a key step before departure. For many passengers, including some in transit scenarios, early document checks are now essential for smooth travel.
European visitors who do not need a visa now have to obtain a UK ETA before travelling. The system extends Britain’s pre-travel screening model and places new document-check duties on airlines, ferry operators and rail carriers.
Airlines are warning that the UK's planned ETA fee increase could make the country less competitive for international visitors. The criticism comes just as the new digital travel permission is being introduced more widely.
A UK-EU summit agreement on 20 May 2025 confirmed there are no longer legal barriers to Britons using e-gates at EU borders after EES launches. The practical change, however, will not arrive until October at the earliest.
A broad coalition from Europe’s tourism and travel sector is challenging the European Commission’s proposal to raise the ETIAS fee from €7 to €20. The group says the increase is disproportionate and calls for a transparent impact assessment before any decision is finalised.
The EU plans to require ETIAS travel authorisation for visa-free visitors such as UK nationals before entering most of the Schengen area. Travellers should understand the fee, validity period, and the uncertain enforcement window alongside the separate EES rollout.
IATA's current Europe entry-requirements page combines practical traveller guidance with operational milestones for EES and ETIAS. It also warns visitors to rely on official EU channels and avoid unofficial ETIAS websites charging extra fees.