Travelling to the UK from Hungary becomes significantly harder in 2025

Travelling to the UK will become more difficult, as ETA will be extended to European countries, including Hungary. From 2025, everyone will need permission to travel to the UK, except British and Irish citizens and EU citizens with a settled status in the UK.

UK extends ETA to EU countries

Turizmus online writes that the UK Home Office has announced that from 5 March 2025, non-visa travellers from Europe, including EU countries, will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK, with the new rule fully enforced from 2 April. The ETA, costing GBP 10 (HUF 4,687), will be valid for two years or until the passport expires, allowing unlimited visits of up to six months each. Digitally linked to travellers’ passports, the ETA aims to enhance security screening.

Initially trialled with Qatar, the system has since expanded to include citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Jordan. Now, the system will be further expanded to all EU countries, including Hungary, making travelling to the UK one step harder. The Home Office writes:

Everyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – will need permission to travel in advance of coming here. This can be either through an ETA or an eVisa.

Travelling to the UK to become more difficult

The UK Home Office has confirmed that from January 2025, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system will be extended to non-European countries whose citizens do not require visas, followed by European nations from April 2025. This move will mandate ETA for all visa-exempt travellers. Following Brexit, the UK left the EU single market and customs union, prioritising control over immigration. The current Labour government, continuing the plans of its Conservative predecessor, is implementing ETA for tourism purposes. However, EU citizens with settled status in the UK are exempt from this requirement. The Home Office explains:

Today we are confirming that from 27 November 2024, eligible non-Europeans can apply for an ETA and will need an ETA to travel from 8 January 2025. ETAs will then extend to eligible Europeans from 5 March 2025, who will need an ETA to travel from 2 April 2025.

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