Hungarian and other EU citizens will need travel authorisation for UK entry from April
Starting April 2025, Hungarian citizens and other travellers from European Union countries will be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entering the United Kingdom. This new regulation aligns with the UK’s post-Brexit immigration policies and aims to enhance border security by pre-screening visitors from visa-exempt nations.
What is an Electronic Travel Authorisation?
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital entry permit introduced by the UK government for travellers who do not require a traditional visa. Initially piloted in 2023 for citizens of Qatar, the program expanded in 2024 to include countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Jordan. As of January 2025, the ETA became mandatory for nationals from 48 non-European countries, including the United States, Origo reported.
Implementation timeline for European travellers
For European Union member states, including Hungary, the ETA requirement will take effect on 2 April 2025, Travelo writes. Travellers planning to visit the UK on or after this date must possess an approved ETA. The application process opens on 5 March 2025, allowing travellers to obtain the necessary authorisation ahead of their planned departure.
Application process
Applying for an ETA is designed to be a straightforward process:
- Online application: Travellers can apply through the official UK government website or via the UK ETA mobile application, available on both the App Store and Google Play.
- Required information: Applicants will need a biometric passport, a valid email address, payment method (debit or credit card), and details of their planned travel.
- Processing time: Most applications are processed within 48 to 72 hours. However, travellers are advised to apply several days before their intended departure to account for any unforeseen delays.
Validity and cost
The ETA costs GBP 10 (approx. EUR 12) and is valid for two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first. During its validity, holders can enter the UK multiple times, with each stay permitted for up to six months.
Exemptions
Certain individuals are exempt from the ETA requirement:
- Settled status holders: EU citizens who legally resided in the UK by the end of 2020 and obtained indefinite leave to remain (EU Settled Status) do not need an Electronic Travel Authorisation.
- Irish citizens: Due to the Common Travel Area agreement, Irish citizens are exempt from this requirement.
Implications for travellers
This new requirement signifies a shift in the UK’s border control measures post-Brexit. Hungarian travellers and other EU nationals planning trips to England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland must ensure they secure an ETA before their journey. Failure to obtain this authorisation may result in denied boarding or entry upon arrival.
In summary, starting 2 April 2025, an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation will be mandatory for Hungarian citizens travelling to the UK. Prospective visitors should familiarise themselves with the application process and submit their applications well in advance of their planned travel dates to ensure compliance with the new regulations.
Read also:
- New entry requirement for Hungarians traveling to the UK: ETA launches in 2025
- Budapest among Time Out’s top 10 destinations for solo female travellers
The Orban led Fidesz Government – have CEASED approving, under the status of Residence Permits, on Australian born, passports of Australia, a country of DEMOCRACY – being approved – to live in Hungary.
We are Australian.
We have lived – as Self Funded Retiree’s – our own Personal Health Care Policies – taking “nothing for nothing” from the Orban led Fidesz Government, the citizens of Hungary – for the past (7) seven years.
We are advised, by a Hungarian Legal Specialist – in Migration & Immigration Law, that come 30th June 2025, the expiry date of our present (2) two year period of our Residency Permit – they are issued for just a (2) two year period, then is required a re-application process – that come the 30th June 2025, after (7) seven years – our application, to remain and live in Hungary – will NOT be approved.
We are advised a (30) thirty day period in time from the expiry date of our current residency Period Card status – is when we MUST be out of Hungary.
Hungary, under this Orban led Fidesz Government, by use of “Rule by Decree” have placed into LAW, that this facility, to remain and live in Hungary, for Australians – is NO longer available.
We are Crestfallen.
This must be devastating news for you, I’m sorry to read about your tribulations. Australia is a decidedly wealthy, emphatically first world country, have you received any guidance as to why they would refuse to extend your residency visa? It doesn’t on the face of it make any sense. I’m not aware of Hungary having any friction with Australia that could be an explanation.
Sounds like you have probably have a Residency For Other Purposes Permit. This classification residency permit no longer exist. It was issued to retirees and folks not here to work. It looks like I will likely also be required to exit at the expiry of my RP also. Looks like your and my only option would be to apply for permanent Residency which will be likely refused unless you can pass a test on Hungarian subjects given only in Hungarian and only in Budapest. This will likely send many non EU citizens back home. I guess Hungary does not appreciate the money and taxes we spent on the local Hungarian economy. I suppose the economy here is doing much better than the government is telling us. Hopefully the government reconsiders this decision.
Thank- You – Londonsteve & Derrick Van der Lisle for your comments.
Derrick, on advice from our Immigration/Migration Lawyer, the first (3) three sentences of your commentary, appears the case.
Its quite an insulting decision made by the present Government of Hungary especially, a country, that the Prime Minister “promotes” as a Democracy.
What was re-miss of me, in my initial commentary, we are are under Residency Permit to vote at District Elections, which we DO NOT.
National Elections – under Residency Permit status you have NO vote.
I will “train it” – up to Vienna, to the Australian Embassy, and “present” the position we now are faced by the Hungarian Government, having to relocate our place of residency.
It concerns me people like us and your-self the thousands who are going to receive there Get Out cards.
Thank-You both again for your empathy.
I am waiting to hear back from a solicitor in my area but I am told that I can return for 90 out of every 180 days by the Immigration office. Which means I have no where to reside the rest of the year anywhere in the European Union so doing a border run to Austria for a few days is not allowed to get a new passport stamp. Only good news if you can call it that is we have till early November till we have to leave. I am thinking about Florida or Costa Rica, Panama at this point if we cannot remain to enjoy a warm winter and decide what to do with our flat.
Derrick – it’s APPALLING.
I can’t DISMISS strongly drawn to in FACT – it’s a DISCRIMINATION process – being “practiced” by this Orban led Fidesz Government.
I use every PLATFORM of COMMUNICATION available to me, a RIGHT of DEMOCRACY, to draw attention to the WRONGFULNESS of this Migration/Immigration Policy, through “Rule by Decree” – the Orban led Fidesz Government of Hungary under “Law” are practicing.
My next meeting, as previously DISCLOSED will be my visit to the Australian Embassy in Vienna – to under my rights again the RIGHTS of Democracy, hopefully with the Ambassador, the “treatment” we are being afforded, by this Orban led Fidesz Government.
I have communicated with the Major Opposition Party in Hungary – Tisza.
They have our PROBLEM and requested to them – to become INVOLVED – be the FACE of this HAPPENING in Hungary, of situations such as yours and ours.
The Tisza Party – there “mandate” if in the spring of 2026 the National Elections in Hungary, they BRING DOWN – the Orban led Fidesz Government, they will Govern as a DEMOCRACY, stay in the European Union & N.A.T.O – re-build SMASHED relationships Globally of countrys Governed under DEMOCRACY and not to speak with but allow dialogue with Russia.
Truth is Truth – and I will exercise my CASE in totality of TRUTH as in Life, not just because my professional life was in LAW – but Truth nothing but the Truth is one’s BIGGEST cannon of Defence.
I again inform, platforms available to me to HIGHLIGHT this DISCRIMINARY process being practiced by the Orban – Fidesz Government, in relation to remaining to LIVE as retiree’s or whatever of “others” reason(s) – passports stamped raised in countrys of DEMOCRACY – under Residency Permit status – I will practice my RIGHT.