UK ETA 2025 — electronic travel authorisation for non-EEA HGV drivers

What is the UK ETA and when did it come into force?

ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is an electronic travel authorisation required by the UK Government from nationals of certain non-EEA (European Economic Area) countries who travel to the UK without a visa. An ETA is not a visa — it is a separate category of electronic document, linked to a specific passport.

The ETA system was rolled out gradually from 2023 for selected nationalities and was extended to a wide range of countries from 2025. The purpose of the system is to pre-screen travellers before they arrive in the UK, in much the same way as the ESTA in the USA or the eTA in Canada. The ETA must not be confused with a UK visa (which authorises a longer stay or the right to work) or with ETIAS (an EU system that is entirely separate).

Source: gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta.

ETA versus UK visa — a key distinction for drivers

An ETA and a UK visa are two different documents. The ETA is required for nationals of countries who do not need a visa to enter the UK — but the UK Government now requires electronic pre-authorisation before arrival. If a driver holds a valid UK visa, an ETA is not required — the visa replaces the ETA. Drivers who enter the UK without a visa and are nationals of countries covered by the ETA requirement must hold an ETA before arriving at the border.

Who must apply for a UK ETA?

The ETA applies to nationals of non-EEA and non-Swiss countries who travel to the UK without a visa. Below is a summary of the key categories:

Who does NOT need an ETA

• EU and EEA nationals — including Polish drivers — do not need an ETA
• Swiss nationals — do not need an ETA
• UK and Irish nationals — do not need an ETA
• Persons holding a UK visa — the visa replaces the ETA
• Holders of Settled or Pre-Settled Status (EUSS) — do not need an ETA
• British Nationals Overseas (BNO) — do not need an ETA

Who DOES need an ETA

Nationals of non-EEA/non-Swiss countries who enter the UK without a visa. This includes, among others, nationals of:

• USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
• Japan, South Korea, Singapore
• Gulf states (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman)
• Ukraine — if they do not hold a UK visa or another permission
• Georgia, Turkey — depending on individual visa status

The full list of nationalities subject to the ETA or visa requirement is available at: gov.uk — nationality types requiring ETA or visa.

Why this matters for Polish transport companies and freight forwarders

Polish drivers, as EU nationals, do not need an ETA — they can enter the UK under existing rules. However, many Polish transport and forwarding companies employ or subcontract drivers from non-EU countries — and it is precisely here that the ETA obligation arises.

Drivers from non-EU countries — check before you dispatch

If your transport company or freight forwarder is sending a driver to the UK who is a national of a non-EEA country — for example from Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Armenia, or Central Asian countries — you should verify the following before departure:

1. Does the driver hold a valid UK visa? If so — no ETA is required.
2. If they have no UK visa — is their nationality subject to the ETA requirement? Check the list on gov.uk.
3. If an ETA is required — have they applied and received approval before departure?

A driver without an ETA (or without a visa, if one is required) will be stopped by Border Force at the UK border and refused entry. Consequences for the company: delayed delivery, vehicle standing costs, the need to arrange a replacement driver or transport, and potential contractual penalties from the client. You can read more about border documentation in the article on the GMR number and the GVMS system.

Subcontractors and freight brokering — where does responsibility lie?

When subcontracting transport to another company or a self-employed driver, the responsibility for holding the correct travel documents rests with the driver. In practice, however, the principal is exposed to delays and losses if the driver is turned back. It is worth building a check of travel documents for non-EU drivers into your operational process before accepting an assignment on a UK route. You can also consult us on posting declarations for drivers to the UK — a separate requirement for companies posting workers to carry out work in the UK.

How much does the ETA cost and how long does it last?

The ETA is one of the most affordable travel authorisations in the world. The key parameters are:

• Cost: £10 per application
• Validity: 2 years or until passport expiry — whichever comes first
• Number of entries: multiple entries throughout the validity period
• Maximum stay per entry: 6 months
• The ETA is linked to the passport: a new ETA application is required when the passport is renewed

Source: gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta.

ETA and passport renewal

An ETA is tied to a specific biometric passport (document number). If a driver obtains a new passport — even if the old ETA is formally valid for 2 years — they must submit a new ETA application for the new passport. This is particularly relevant for drivers who renew their passports regularly.

How to apply for a UK ETA — step by step

The ETA application must be submitted electronically only — through the official mobile app or via gov.uk. It is not possible to apply at the border or at a government office.

Application methods

• UK ETA mobile app — available on iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play); enables biometric identity verification using the phone's camera
• gov.uk website — online form accessible via a browser

What you need to apply

1. Valid biometric passport — required for identity verification through the app
2. Facial photograph — taken by the app in real time (biometric selfie)
3. Payment card — to pay the £10 fee (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
4. Email address — to which the confirmation will be sent

Processing time

Most applications are processed within a few minutes. In some cases — where additional verification is required — processing may take a few working days. The application must be submitted before travel — not at the border. We recommend applying at least a few days before the planned entry into the UK, to allow time to correct any data if needed.

Once the ETA is approved there is no physical document to print — the authorisation is electronically linked to the passport and checked by Border Force on entry. Source: gov.uk — Apply for an ETA.

ETA and UK border crossing — practical aspects for HGV/TIR drivers

For HGV/TIR drivers crossing the UK border (Folkestone, Dover, Holyhead, Harwich, and other ports) the ETA is verified electronically by Border Force — in the same way as a visa or other leave to remain. The driver does not need to present a physical ETA document, but must carry the passport to which the ETA is linked.

ETA as one of many TIR border documents

The ETA is just one element of the documentation a TIR driver must carry when entering the UK. The complete list of documents includes:

• ETA (or UK visa) — if applicable to the driver's nationality
• GMR number for UK entry — required by the GVMS system for most freight routes
• Customs documents for the goods (MRN, T1, T2) — depending on the customs status of the load
• CMR — consignment note
• Category C/CE driving licence
• Vehicle documents (registration, insurance)
• Tachograph card — see UK tachograph requirements

You can read more about ENS and GMR procedures in the article ENS and GMR before departure. If your driver is carrying goods under T1 or T2 transit, see our T1/T2 transit service for carriers.

What happens when entry is refused due to a missing ETA

A driver without the required ETA is stopped by Border Force at the terminal (Eurotunnel or port). In practice this means:

• The vehicle is turned back without being allowed to enter the UK
• The lorry returns with the load — the assignment is undelivered
• Additional costs: return crossing (ferry/tunnel), parking, driver's standing time
• Possible consequences under the haulage contract (delay, client complaint)

Common questions and mistakes

In our day-to-day work with transport companies we encounter several recurring mistakes and misunderstandings regarding the ETA:

Mistake 1: Assuming all drivers enter on the same terms as Polish ones

This is the most common mistake among Polish transport companies. Polish drivers, as EU nationals, can enter the UK without an ETA — but a driver from Ukraine, Georgia, or Turkey must have either a UK visa or an ETA (depending on nationality and individual status). Do not automatically assume that a subcontractor from another country has "the same situation as a Polish driver".

Mistake 2: Applying too late

Although most ETA applications are processed within a few minutes, cases requiring additional verification can take several days. Submitting an application the day before departure is a risk — particularly where the delivery deadline is tight.

Mistake 3: Confusing the ETA with a visa or with ETIAS

An ETA is not a UK visa. An ETA is not ETIAS (ETIAS is the EU system planned for entry to the EU — it is separate and unconnected to the UK). An ETA is an electronic authorisation for people who enter the UK without a visa and are nationals of countries covered by this requirement.

Mistake 4: Applying for an ETA despite already holding a UK visa

A driver who holds a valid UK visa does not need an ETA — the visa already authorises entry. Applying for an ETA when a visa is already held is unnecessary but harmless. If in doubt, check the driver's visa status before dispatch.

FAQ — frequently asked questions

Do Polish HGV drivers need an ETA to enter the UK?

No. Polish drivers are EU/EEA nationals and do not need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to enter the United Kingdom. The ETA requirement applies only to nationals of non-EEA countries who do not need a UK visa. Source: gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

How much does the UK ETA cost and how long is it valid?

The UK ETA costs £10 per application. It is valid for 2 years or until passport expiry — whichever comes first. During this period it allows multiple entries to the United Kingdom. Each stay must not exceed 6 months. Source: gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta.

Does a driver from Ukraine need an ETA to enter the UK?

It depends on the individual's visa status. Ukrainian nationals who do not hold a UK visa or another permission (e.g. settled or pre-settled status) may need an ETA to enter the UK without a visa. Ukrainian drivers holding a valid UK visa do not need an ETA — the visa replaces the ETA. We recommend verifying requirements using the tool on gov.uk before dispatching the driver. Source: gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

How do I apply for a UK ETA via the app?

The UK ETA application is submitted through the official mobile app "UK ETA" (available on iOS and Android) or via the gov.uk website. You will need: a valid biometric passport, a facial photograph, and a payment card (£10 fee). The app verifies identity biometrically. Processing time: usually a few minutes; in some cases a few working days. Do not apply at the border — the ETA must be approved before travel. Source: gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta.

What happens if a driver arrives at the UK border without an ETA?

A driver without the required ETA may be refused entry to the United Kingdom by Border Force. For the transport company this means: delayed delivery, additional costs (vehicle standing time, a replacement driver), and potential contractual penalties from the client. The ETA is required before crossing the border — its absence is treated in the same way as a missing travel document. Source: gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

Official sources

• Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) — GOV.UK — GOV.UK
• Electronic Travel Authorisation — GOV.UK — GOV.UK
• Nationality types that require an ETA or a visa — GOV.UK — GOV.UK