What's changing for Australians travelling to UK and Europe in 2025?
Here's what you need to know about the new travel permits.
Are you planning a holiday in the UK or Europe in 2025? Permits are required for Australians travelling to the UK, and Europe will soon follow with its own visa.
Don't get caught out at border control without the right documentation. Here's what you need to know about the UK electronic travel authorisation (ETA) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
UK introduces travel authorisation
New laws mean you now need to apply for a permit to enter the UK.
The UK ETA comes into effect on January 8, 2025.
All Australians travelling to the UK who do not have a visa need to apply for and obtain the authorisation before they travel.
The digital permit applies to Australians travelling to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The ETA is for tourists, as well as people visiting their friends and family, and permits multiple visits to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder's passport expires, whichever is sooner.
The move is part of a UK government bid to digitise its border and immigration system and costs $20 to apply online or using the UK ETA app.
Each family member who is travelling to the UK needs their own ETA, including babies and children.
ETAs will take up to three days to process online, and applicants will receive an email confirming their ETA has been granted, at which point the ETA will be linked to their passport.
UK minister for migration and citizenship, Seema Malhotra, said the ETA would enable a smooth experience for "the millions of people who pass through the border every year".
"The worldwide expansion of the ETA demonstrates our commitment to enhance security through new technology and embedding a modern immigration system," she said.
Europe will soon introduce a visa
Australians will soon need to apply for a visa to visit some of Europe's most popular destinations.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a new visa waiver program Europe is introducing to find out more about incoming travellers for security reasons.
ETIAS is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 30 European countries.
Australians will need to obtain the travel authorisation from mid-2025.
It will be issued online or via an app and will cost $12.
Handy travel tool
Skyscanner research found that 51 per cent of Aussies find it stressful planning travel to destinations that require a visa.
Try using this handy tool by Skyscanner to search and discover which destinations will require a bit of extra work, for your 2025 travels.
My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me.
Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life.
My top travel tip is … Don’t plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what’s within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
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