UK ETA Cost for Italian Citizens 2026: Complete Fee Guide (Currently £16)

UK ETA Fee Increase: What Italian Travelers Need to Know

The UK ETA Italian citizens need is a simple electronic travel authorisation that every Italian passport holder must obtain before flying to Britain. First of all, the UK ETA Italian citizens apply for costs £16 per applicant, covers two years of multi-entry permission, and takes minutes to approve in most cases. Furthermore, the scheme applies uniformly to all travellers departing from Milano, Roma, Napoli, Venezia or any other Italian airport.

Starting 25 February 2026, the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee increases from £16 to £16 per applicant. Indeed, this 25% price rise affects all 85 ETA-eligible nationalities, including travelers from Italy. In addition, Of course, Italian nationals need an ETA since April 2025.

Key Facts: UK ETA Price Change for Italian Citizens

As a Italian passport holder, you are required to obtain a UK ETA before traveling to the United Kingdom from 25 February 2026 onwards. Without an approved ETA, you will not be able to board your flight, train, or ferry to the UK. Learn more about UK ETA full enforcement rules.

Why Is the UK ETA Fee Increasing?

According to the UK Home Office, the fee increase from £16 to £16 is designed to keep the ETA scheme “self-funding” without drawing on general taxation. The additional revenue covers the costs of biometric vetting, carrier connectivity systems, and the ongoing development of the UK’s digital border infrastructure.

For a detailed breakdown of the fee change, see our full guide: UK ETA Fee Increase 2026: Complete Analysis.

How to Apply for a UK ETA from Italy

The application process for Italian citizens is straightforward:

1. Download the UK ETA app — Available on iOS and Android
2. Scan your passport — Using your phone’s camera via the app
3. Then, take a facial photo — Must meet UK ETA photo requirements
4. After that, pay the £16 fee — By debit or credit card
5. Finally, receive your decision — Usually within minutes, up to 3 working days

For the complete step-by-step process, read our guide: How to Apply for UK ETA Online 2026.

What Happens If Your UK ETA Is Refused?

However, if your ETA application is refused, you will receive an email explaining the reason. Specifically, common reasons for refusal include criminal history, immigration violations, or errors in the application. Additionally, read our comprehensive guide on what to do if your UK ETA is refused.

Understanding the UK ETA Fee Structure for Italian Applicants

First of all, it is essential for Italian travelers to know exactly what the £16 fee covers. The UK Home Office charges this amount once per applicant, and it buys two years of multi-entry permission, linked to the passport used during the application. Consequently, the ETA is not a physical document — it is an electronic record attached to your passport data in the UK Border Force system.

Also, the fee is fixed by the UK government and does not vary between nationalities, application channels, or processing speed. There is no express service, no premium option, and no priority tier. Thus, every Italian applicant pays exactly the same amount whether they apply one week or six months before travelling. Therefore, budgeting for a UK trip from Italy is straightforward: multiply £16 by the number of travellers in your party.

Furthermore, the ETA fee is non-refundable once the application is submitted, even if the ETA is refused. However, a refusal does not block you from applying for a Standard Visitor Visa afterwards. For this reason, we recommend reading our guide on ETA eligibility and criminal record checks before paying.

Budget Planning: UK ETA Italian Citizens: Family and Group Budget Planning

Typically, when planning a family trip from Italy to the United Kingdom, the ETA cost scales linearly with each traveller. Importantly, children and infants are not exempt — every family member needs their own application, their own passport data, and their own £16 payment. For example, a family of four from Roma or Milano will pay £64 in ETA fees alone, in addition to flights, accommodation and transfers.

Additionally, remember that each applicant must submit a separate facial photograph taken through the UK ETA app. Consequently, parents travelling with young children should allow extra time during the application session, especially when photographing toddlers who cannot hold a neutral expression for long. By contrast, adult applicants can typically complete the full process in under ten minutes.

UK ETA vs Other Travel Authorisations: Cost Comparison for Italian Travellers

Italian citizens benefit from a wide range of travel authorisation schemes when visiting English-speaking destinations. Obviously, comparing these costs helps put the £16 UK ETA fee into perspective. Overall, the UK ETA remains one of the more affordable electronic authorisations for popular long-haul destinations.

Consequently, UK ETA Italian citizens planning multi-destination trips should compare several schemes. For a deeper side-by-side analysis, see our dedicated article UK ETA vs Canada eTA vs Australia ETA and the UK ETA vs ETIAS comparison guide. All in all, by reviewing these schemes together, Italian travellers can plan multi-destination trips more efficiently.

Payment Methods, Refunds and Digital Receipts

Importantly, the UK ETA application accepts most major payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay and Google Pay. However, debit cards issued by smaller Italian banks occasionally trigger 3D-Secure challenges. Therefore, if your first attempt fails, try a different card or switch to a digital wallet. By contrast, the Home Office system does not accept bank transfers, PostePay cards below a certain tier, or cash.

Furthermore, after a successful payment, you will immediately receive a confirmation email with a receipt in English. In addition, a second email arrives once the ETA decision is made — usually within minutes, though some applications take up to three working days. Consequently, we strongly recommend applying at least 72 hours before your flight to avoid last-minute anxiety. For this reason, keep both emails accessible offline in case you are asked by airline check-in staff.

Meanwhile, if you do not receive the decision email within three working days, check your spam folder and log back into the UK ETA app to view the status. By contrast, paper correspondence is never issued — the entire process is digital. Finally, for further practical advice, consult our UK ETA app troubleshooting guide.

Regional Notes for Travellers from Milan, Rome, Venice and Other Italian Cities

Generally, direct flights from Milano Malpensa, Roma Fiumicino, Venezia Marco Polo, Napoli Capodichino and Bologna Guglielmo Marconi to the UK are plentiful, which means Italian travellers typically face no connecting-flight complications. On the other hand, airline check-in agents at these airports are now trained to verify ETA status before boarding. As a result, turning up without an approved ETA will result in denied boarding — the airline is fined if you travel without one.

Equally, if you are travelling from southern Italy via a short-haul connection through another Schengen airport, the ETA check still happens at final boarding for the UK leg. Thus, the authorisation must be approved regardless of your departure city. Additionally, business travellers commuting frequently between Milano and London City should remember that the two-year ETA covers unlimited trips during its validity — a clear advantage for consultants, finance professionals and tech workers.

Frequently Asked Questions: UK ETA for Italian Travelers

How much does the UK ETA cost for Italian citizens in 2026?

The UK ETA costs £16 per person from 25 February 2026 onwards. Moreover, this applies to all applicants, including children. In short, the previous fee was £16.

Can I travel to the UK without an ETA from Italy?

No. Consequently, from 25 February 2026, all Italian nationals must, above all, have an approved ETA before traveling to the UK. In fact, without one you will be denied boarding. Learn more about traveling to the UK without an ETA.

How long is the UK ETA valid?

The UK ETA is valid for 2 years from the date of issue, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. It allows multiple entries for stays of up to 6 months each.

Do children from Italy need a UK ETA?

Furthermore, every traveller, including infants and children, needs their own ETA. Similarly, each child requires a separate application and a £16 fee.

Related guides: Who Needs an ETA for the UK? | UK ETA Grace Period Ending | Top UK Tourist Attractions

Is the UK ETA fee refundable if my application is rejected?

No. Unfortunately, the £16 UK ETA fee is non-refundable under any circumstances. In particular, even if the Home Office refuses your application, the payment is not returned. However, if your ETA is refused, you can still apply for a Standard Visitor Visa, which is a different route with its own fee.

Can I pay for multiple UK ETAs for my whole family in one transaction?

Yes. Notably, when using the official UK ETA app, you can add multiple applicants under a single parent account and pay for all of them at once. Each applicant still counts as £16, but the payment is consolidated into one card charge, which simplifies bookkeeping for families and travel agents.

Does paying the UK ETA fee guarantee approval?

No. In short, paying the £16 fee guarantees processing, not approval. Specifically, the Home Office reviews each application against security, immigration and health criteria. As a rule, applications with a clean record, accurate details and a valid passport are typically approved within minutes, while those flagged for manual review may take up to three working days.

What happens if the UK ETA fee increases after I apply?

Importantly, the fee is locked in at the amount charged when you submit your application. Future price changes, such as the expected £20 fee from 8 April 2026, do not apply retroactively. Consequently, your ETA remains valid for its full two-year term, and you pay no top-up even if the price rises.

Can travel agencies in Italy pay the UK ETA fee on my behalf?

Yes, in general, a travel agency in Milano, Roma or any other Italian city can submit ETA applications and pay the £16 fee for its clients. However, the final decision still comes from the UK Home Office, not the agency. Above all, always verify that the agency uses the official UK ETA service and does not overcharge beyond a reasonable handling fee.

More Italy UK ETA Guides

• UK ETA Requirements for Italian Travelers 2026: Complete Checklist
• Italy to UK Travel Guide 2026: ETA, Entry Rules & Tips