Hungary Joins Germany, Denmark, Italy, Finland, Netherlands, Spain, And Several Other Countries Across Europe As The United Kingdom Enforces A New Electronic Travel Authorisation System To Tighten Border Security

Published on February 28, 2026

Image generated with Ai

Starting from February 2026, Hungary, alongside several other European countries like Germany, Denmark, Italy, Finland, Netherlands, and Spain, will face a major travel hurdle as the UK introduces its new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. This new policy requires all visa-exempt nationals from these countries to obtain digital pre-approval before travelling to the UK, fundamentally altering the travel landscape for millions. With airlines now tasked with checking ETA approvals, the new system aims to enhance border security but poses significant changes to the previously seamless travel experience to the UK.

Image generated with Ai

The United Kingdom has recently launched a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for visa-exempt travellers, bringing about significant changes for millions of visitors from Europe and around the world. With the introduction of this system, citizens of 85 countries, including key European nations, will now need to apply for an ETA before their trips to the UK. The new travel requirements are aimed at further streamlining border control and enhancing security, but they come with a wave of confusion and frustration for many. Visitors who once enjoyed smooth, visa-free travel to the UK will now face new hurdles before they can board their flights.

Let’s dive deep into the implications of this policy shift and explore the countries across Europe now affected by the UK’s new “no permission, no travel” rule.

What is the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)?

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital pre-approval required for all visa-exempt foreign nationals wishing to travel to the UK for tourism, business, or family visits. This travel permission is directly linked to the traveller’s passport and must be obtained before boarding the flight, making it mandatory for travellers from countries that don’t require a visa to the UK.

The move is a part of the UK’s ongoing effort to digitise its border control system, improving the efficiency of its immigration checks while enhancing security. The ETA system is expected to replace paper-based visa stickers, providing the UK authorities with quicker access to travellers’ information.

It is crucial to note that the ETA is not a visa. Instead, it serves as pre-approval for entry into the UK, allowing visa-free travellers to pass through UK immigration controls once they arrive. However, travellers without a valid ETA will be denied boarding by airlines, who are now required to verify ETA approval before allowing passengers to board flights to the UK.

Who Needs the UK ETA?

While UK citizens and holders of UK visas are exempt from needing an ETA, the rules apply to nationals from 85 countries around the world. In Europe, the new policy impacts all EU member states, except Ireland, which remains outside of the UK’s immigration control system.

As of February 25, 2026, nationals from the following countries will need an ETA to travel to the UK:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain

In short, all EU countries—apart from Ireland—will require an ETA from February 2026, including those traditionally seen as key European travel destinations, such as France, Italy, Spain, and Germany.

Why the UK Introduced the ETA System

The introduction of the ETA system is part of the UK’s larger effort to modernise and digitise its border control processes. By replacing outdated paper-based visa stickers with a fully digital authorisation system, the UK government aims to increase border security and make the travel experience more efficient.

The ETA is designed to facilitate pre-arrival screening, allowing the UK Home Office to assess whether visitors from certain countries pose any security risks or breaches. The system also benefits travellers, offering a streamlined entry process with faster immigration checks upon arrival.

The UK government has been rolling out the eVisa and ETA systems gradually, with over 10 million eVisas already issued to foreign nationals under this programme.

How Does the ETA System Work?

The process for obtaining an ETA is simple, and approval is typically granted within minutes. Here are the steps that travellers must follow:

1. Create or Sign In to Your UKVI Account: You need a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to apply for the ETA.
2. Complete the Online Form: Fill in your personal information, passport details, and travel itinerary.
3. Pay the ETA Fee: The ETA costs £16 and is valid for up to 2 years, or until your passport expires (whichever is sooner).
4. Receive Confirmation: Once your ETA is approved, it is electronically linked to your passport, and you will receive a confirmation.
5. Travel: Make sure your details are correct, and remember that airlines will check your ETA approval before allowing you to board.

How Long Is the ETA Valid?

The ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever happens first. This means that once granted, travellers can make multiple trips to the UK without needing to reapply for a new ETA each time.

Countries Still Exempt from the ETA Requirement

• Ireland: As a member of the Common Travel Area (CTA) with the UK, Irish citizens do not need an ETA.
• UK Visa Holders: If you already have a valid UK visa, you do not need to apply for an ETA.
• British Citizens: British passport holders are exempt from the ETA requirement.

Key Dates to Remember for ETA Implementation

• February 25, 2026: The official date when all visa-exempt European nationals, including those from the listed EU countries, will need an ETA to enter the UK.
• April 2025: Transition period for certain visitors, but full enforcement starts on the above date.

Travellers should apply for their ETA well in advance of their travel date to avoid delays.

What Happens if You Don’t Have an ETA?

Under the UK’s “No Permission, No Travel” rule, travellers without an ETA will be denied boarding by the airline. Immigration officers at the UK border may also refuse entry if proper documentation is not presented.

Airlines are now legally required to check that travellers from ETA-eligible countries have received authorisation before boarding flights, meaning it’s no longer possible to board a flight to the UK without approval.

ETA System and Its Global Comparison

The UK ETA system is similar to the US ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) and the EU ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), both of which require digital authorisation for visitors from visa-exempt countries.

The introduction of ETA fees (priced at £16) aligns with other international digital travel authorisation systems:

• US ESTA: $40
• EU ETIAS: Expected to cost €20 (when introduced in 2024)

Is the ETA System an Inconvenience for European Travellers?

For many European travellers, the new ETA requirement may feel like an inconvenience. After all, citizens from many EU countries have been accustomed to visa-free travel to the UK for decades. However, with digital immigration systems becoming the norm globally, the shift to ETA is inevitable as the UK looks to keep pace with global security standards.

While this new system may create initial confusion, it’s ultimately designed to improve travel efficiency, reduce paperwork, and ensure that only eligible visitors can enter the country.

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a landmark policy shift that significantly impacts travellers from Europe and beyond. From February 2026, nationals from most EU countries, including Hungary, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Finland, and the Netherlands, will need to obtain an ETA before travelling to the UK. This change marks another step in the UK’s ambitious plan to digitalise border controls, improve security, and streamline travel.

Starting in February 2026, Hungary and several other European countries will be required to obtain a UK ETA before travelling, as the UK implements this new digital pre-approval system to tighten border security and streamline immigration checks.

While this new system may be challenging for some, it offers multiple benefits for both travellers and the UK government. By obtaining an ETA, you can ensure smooth entry into the UK and avoid any last-minute travel disruptions. So, remember to plan ahead and apply for your ETA before your next trip to the UK!