Comparison
UK ETA vs ESTA vs ETIAS: which applies to whom?
· GOV.UK, Home Office
UK ETA, ESTA and ETIAS sound similar but are different systems run by different countries. For travellers from EU countries, only the UK ETA for Britain and the ESTA for the USA are relevant today. ETIAS concerns travellers from non-EU countries and is not yet in operation.
The three systems at a glance
| UK ETA | ESTA (USA) | ETIAS (EU) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destination | United Kingdom (incl. Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man) | USA (Visa Waiver Program) | 30 European countries |
| Who needs it? | EU citizens (except Irish) since 2 April 2025 for visits of up to 6 months | travellers under the Visa Waiver Program | visa-exempt non-EU travellers – not EU citizens |
| Official fee | £20 | in USD, adjusted annually (October 2026: approx. USD 40) | €20 (set, only applies once operational) |
| Validity | 2 years or until the passport expires | usually 2 years or until the passport expires (USAGov) | up to 3 years or until the passport expires (according to media reports) |
| Status | in operation | in operation | not yet in operation |
Sources: gov.uk for the UK ETA, CBP and USAGov for the ESTA, the EU’s ETIAS website for ETIAS. The ESTA is a separate system of the US authorities and cannot be used for travel to Britain – and vice versa.
ETIAS: not yet in operation – and not for EU citizens
The EU’s ETIAS website states that ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications are being accepted; the EU intends to announce the start date several months in advance. According to press reports, the previously stated date “Q4 2026” has been removed from the EU website; a launch is expected in 2027 at the earliest. The fee is set at €20 (children under 18 and people over 70 pay nothing).
ETIAS applies to visa-exempt travellers from non-EU countries – for example from the United Kingdom, the USA or Canada. EU citizens do not need ETIAS. Be careful with providers who already sell ETIAS applications today: applications are not yet being accepted at all.
What travellers from EU countries need to do now
- Britain: apply for the UK ETA (guide).
- USA: ESTA via the website of the US authority CBP; our service does not offer this.
- Schengen countries (EU): as an EU citizen you need no authorisation; ETIAS does not concern you.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need ETIAS as an EU citizen?
- No. ETIAS is intended for visa-exempt travellers from non-EU countries and is not yet in operation anyway.
- Is the ESTA valid for a trip to the UK?
- No. The ESTA applies to the USA. For Britain you need the UK ETA.
- When will ETIAS start?
- There is no confirmed start date. The EU will announce the date several months in advance; reports expect 2027 at the earliest.
Sources and date
Checked on 4 October 2026. Rules and fees may change; the current publication on gov.uk is authoritative. This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice.
- GOV.UK: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) – Overview
- CBP: Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
- USAGov: Visa Waiver Program and ESTA application
- EU: ETIAS website
- European Commission: ETIAS will cost €20 (17 July 2025)
- tourismus.com: ETIAS postponed – no launch in 2026 (press report)
- Federal Register 91 FR 62534: ESTA fee FY 2027 (1 Oct 2026)
Next steps
Prepare your application, compare prices or keep reading – in every case the Home Office makes the decision.