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Australians will now need a permit to enter the UK – what does that mean for you?

Planning your next UK getaway? You’ll now need to add one more step to your travel checklist. 

As of Wednesday 8 January, Australians planning to visit the United Kingdom must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they jet off. The new system brings the UK in line with countries like the United States and Canada, which already have similar pre-screening processes. If the UK is on your bucket list, here’s what you need to know to stay ahead of the curve. 

What is the UK ETA? 

The UK ETA is a digital pre-authorisation system now required for travellers from visa-exempt countries – including Australia, New Zealand and Canada – entering the UK for stays up to six months. Designed to enhance border security, the system allows the UK government to pre-screen visitors before they arrive. 

Think of it as a mini-visa: you apply online, pay a fee and receive approval to travel to the UK. While this might feel like an extra hoop to jump through, it’s part of the UK’s broader strategy to modernise its immigration controls post-Brexit. 

Who needs an ETA? 

All Australian travellers will need an ETA to visit the UK, including babies and children, unless they: 

  • Already have an approved visa 
  • Have permission to live, work or study in the UK 
  • Are UK or Irish citizens 
  • Are EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status under the UK’s EU Settlement Scheme 

EU citizens will have to apply for ETAs from April 2025. If you’re transiting through the UK on your way to Europe or beyond, you’ll need an ETA, too – so don’t assume you can skip the application process.  

How do you apply for an ETA?

The application process is quick and straightforward using the UK ETA app, available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. Alternatively, you can apply online. 

The application requires travellers to scan their passport and face (travellers aged nine and under will not be required to scan their face) and fill out their details, including passport information, travel plans and basic personal data. 

The application fee is currently set at £10 ($20) and decisions are typically made within three working days, but occasionally might take longer. For last-minute travellers, ETAs may be approved faster, but it’s always better to plan ahead. Once approved, your ETA is linked electronically to your passport, and you’re all set to go. 

How long is it valid for? 

The UK ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During this time, you can use it for multiple entries into the UK, whether you’re planning a quick city break in London or a countryside adventure in Scotland. 

Why has the UK introduced the ETA? 

The new ETA scheme is part of the UK’s post-Brexit border strategy, aiming to streamline travel while boosting security. By pre-screening visitors, the UK hopes to manage its borders more effectively and ensure that potential security risks are identified early. 

It’s also designed to improve the visitor experience. With the UK seeing over 40 million visitors annually, the ETA is expected to reduce delays at border control and help maintain a smooth entry process for legitimate travellers. 

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What does this mean for Australian travellers? 

For Australians, the introduction of the ETA marks a significant change. Previously, Aussie travellers could hop on a flight to the UK with just a passport in hand. Now, you’ll need to factor in the ETA application process when planning your trip. 

On the bright side, it’s a relatively minor adjustment compared to applying for a visa – and at just £10, it’s an affordable extra step. 

Top tips for a smooth ETA application 

Apply early: Don’t leave it to the last minute. Aim to apply at least a week before your planned departure to allow time for approval. 

Double-check your details: Ensure your passport number and personal information are entered correctly to avoid delays. 

Keep a copy: While your ETA is linked to your passport, it’s a good idea to keep a digital or printed confirmation handy, just in case. 

Will this impact tourism? 

The ETA’s introduction is unlikely to deter Aussie travellers. With the UK continuing to charm visitors, most travellers will see the ETA as a small price to pay for its rich experiences. 

However, it does mean a shift in how Australians approach their travel plans and spontaneous trips might require a bit more foresight. 

Have you applied for your UK ETA yet? Don’t wait – get ahead of the curve and start your application today. 

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What the European heatwave means for your summer travel plans

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK. 

    Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

    And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

    Why is it so hot in Europe?

    Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

    France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

    In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

    The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

    Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

    How travel is impacted

    A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius
    A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

    During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

    If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

    Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

    people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris
    People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

    With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

    Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

    How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

    Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

    Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

    Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.

    Australians will now need a permit to enter the UK