What is the UK ETA for Netherlands Citizens?
The UK ETA is a travel permit for short visits; it is digitally linked to your passport enabling the UK government to prescreen travelers before they arrive in the UK which makes travel smoother for visitors and increases security for border control. The UK ETA system was launched in October 2023 for Qatari nationals, then a variety of nationalities were added to the eligibility list, to make travel to the UK seamless and hassle-free.
While Dutch citizens previously traveled visa-free to the UK, the new UK ETA means that they will now need to apply for their travel permit electronically before they can enter the United Kingdom. The UK ETA launch date for Dutch Citizens is 5 March 2025 for travels on or after 2 April 2025, meaning they can then travel with their valid ETA from 2 April 2025. It is worth noting that the UK ETA for Netherlands Citizens is not a visa but rather a travel authorization permit.
The primary purpose of this UK ETA for Dutch Citizens is to allow permit holders authorization to travel for up to six months for a variety of common purposes which include:
- Travel and tourism.
- Visiting family or friends in the UK.
- Business or short-term study purposes.
- Permitted paid engagement.
- Transit through the country even if the travel will not go through border control.
- Travel on Creative Worker Visa Concession (up to 3 months).
It is worth noting that if your purpose of visiting the UK is for longer than the time permitted or for any other purpose, you may need to apply for a visa.
Statistics on Dutch Citizens Visiting the UK
With landmarks like London, The Scottish Highlands, and The Lake District, the UK welcomes millions of visitors each year, including many citizens of the Netherlands.
The UK welcomed 2.0 million visits from the Netherlands in 2023 alone. Their total spending during these visits was £1.1 billion with an average of £571 per visit.
96% of the visitors said they are extremely likely to recommend visiting the UK.
Advantages of the UK ETA
The UK ETA is a new electronic travel permit that was launched to allow hassle-free travel to the United Kingdom for a variety of purposes and applying for the UK ETA from the Netherlands has never been easier. This is just one of the many advantages of the new permit system. Some of the main benefits of this new travel permit for Dutch Citizens include:
Easy Online Application
Visiting embassies and waiting in long queues is a thing of the past, especially if Dutch travelers plan to visit the UK for specific reasons. They can now apply for the UK ETA from the Netherlands by using a quick and easy online system and without much waiting time, applicants can gain access to their travel authorization.
Cost Effective
Not only is the UK ETA for Dutch Citizens practical and efficient, but it is also cost-effective. With just one permit, applicants can visit the UK for up to six months each time.
Multiple Entry Use
Once applicants gain access to their travel permit, they can visit the UK multiple times for stays of up to six months. The permit allows you to enter the UK as many times as you like for as long as the permit is valid, which is two years. After this, visitors will need to apply for a new UK ETA.
Practical
The UK ETA allows visitors with a valid permit, access to the country at short notice. Since embassy visits and person-to-person appointments are not necessary, travelers can book trips and make plans at their convenience, making travel to the UK more streamlined and easier.
UK ETA Eligibility Criteria for Dutch Citizens
The UK ETA for EU Citizens including Dutch citizens launches in March 2025 for travel on or after 2 April 2025, allowing visiting the UK to be stress-free. However, there are a few eligibility requirements that Dutch citizens will need to fulfill before they are granted authorization to travel to the UK.
To be eligible for the UK ETA, here are a few things to consider:
- Nationality Holding a Dutch passport or a passport of one of the eligible countries for the UK ETA scheme.
- Purpose of Visit Intending to visit the UK for a specific purpose outlined in the UK ETA rules such as travel, visiting family and friends, or for short-term study, etc.
- No Previous Restrictions/Criminal Record Dutch Citizens who have been banned from entering the UK previously or who were subject to restrictions in the past, may not be eligible for the UK ETA permit.
If the applicant has a criminal record, it may impact their eligibility or cause delays. Therefore, it is advisable to apply for the ETA well in advance and ensure the application is completed accurately and truthfully. - Six Month Rule Dutch Citizens planning to visit the UK for over six months cannot apply for a UK ETA. If applicants are planning to stay longer in the country, and want to work or live in the UK, the ETA permit will not suffice and a visa will need to be obtained from an embassy depending on the purpose of travel and period of stay.
UK ETA Application Process
One of the main advantages of this permit is the quick and easy application process, which is done online. To make things even easier, here is a breakdown of each step, so you can obtain your UK ETA as quickly as possible.
1
Prepare Your Documents
Before you start the application process, ensure your passport is on hand and valid for at least the duration of your stay. This also needs to be the passport you intend to travel with since the ETA is digitally linked to the passport you apply with, so if you have dual citizenship, carefully consider this. You will need to have access to your email and have all the documents and personal photos available, which are UK ETA requirements.
2
Application Form
The next step is to go online and begin to fill out the UK ETA application form, which is straightforward. You will need to upload a copy of the passport you intend to travel with as well as a digital photo that complies with the UK government photo standards.
3
Process The Payment
Payment can be made via Apple Pay, Google Pay, Debit or Credit Cards. The payment will be submitted once the application form has been filled out online.
4
Receive Your UK ETA
While the permit can take up to 3 working days to be processed, it can also be processed much quicker depending on the situation and demand during the time of application. Having access to your email is imperative to see the status of your application and to receive your ETA for travel to the UK.
Requirements for UK ETA Application
As with any official permit application, there are a few requirements to fulfill. Once you can confirm the following requirements, you can apply for your ETA.
Valid Passport
Make sure you have enough validity on your passport before applying. We advise that your passport is valid for at least the period of your stay in the UK.
Photo
A photo of the traveler is a requirement for an ETA for the UK application. It is very important to make sure the photo complies with the personal photo standards, it has to be a recent photo with a light solid colored background, to be clear and in focus with neutral facial expressions.
Valid Email Address
Since the application is done virtually, applicants will need access to a valid email address, where they can check the status of their application, receive their travel permits, and or view how or why their application was denied.
Valid Payment Method
A valid payment method is required to process the payment, once the application form has been filled out.
UK ETA Fees & Processing Times
If you are wondering about the UK ETA price, then we will cover this here. As with many permits, a fee is necessary and the UK ETA is no exception, however, it is a very cost-effective travel permit.
- The total cost of the UK ETA is £78 which covers government fees, and our professional service fees for facilitating the application to ensure a streamlined process.
- In terms of the processing time, you can expect to wait between a few hours and up to three working days, depending on the situation. Usually, UK ETAS can be obtained much quicker, but allow time if you do not receive a decision within a few hours.
UK ETA Validity & Duration of Stay
Regarding the UK ETA validity, Dutch Citizens who have obtained the permit can visit the UK as many times as they want over two years – or as long as their passport is valid, whichever is sooner. They can stay up to six months for each visit and there is no limit to the number of visits Dutch travelers can make.
UK ETA: Renewal and Extension Options
A UK ETA for Netherlands Citizens is valid for two years and cannot be extended or renewed. Instead, citizens of the Netherlands can reapply for a new ETA which will allow them unlimited entries to the UK for another two years once it is granted. There are no exceptions to this rule, so plan ahead.
UK ETA Application: Refused vs. Rejected—What to Do Next
There is a difference between your application being refused and rejected. Firstly, if you received a refusal email, this means that the UK government has decided not to process your application due to a specific issue like eligibility or security concerns.
If your application was rejected, this could be because of missing information, which is easy to solve once the issues are rectified.
One of the main ways to avoid this is to be thorough and truthful in your application and always check your final application before submitting it. In addition, there are a few steps to take if you have received news that your application has been either refused or rejected:
Rejection Steps
- Review the errors that have been mentioned in the email.
- Correct the issues if possible.
- Reapply and await confirmation.
Refusal Steps
- If eligibility is the issue, you may need to apply for a visa instead. Seeking help from professionals in this case is a perfect choice.
Traveling with a UK ETA: Important Details
It is important to note that once you have the UK ETA, it does not guarantee entry into the UK. The border control officers will have the final say, so it is advised to have copies of documents and travel plans just in case.
- Dual Citizenship Dutch citizens who are holders of two or more passports must travel using the same passport they used to apply for the ETA as they are digitally linked to one another. Traveling with any other passport will cause issues and delays, and you will not be able to enter the UK.
- Travel and Entry Process According to the UK government, An ETA is a digital permission to travel, it is not a visa and does not permit entry into the UK – it authorizes an individual to travel to the UK. The final decision is made at the border security, similar to the approach made by the US and Australian governments. It is also important to note that once you enter the UK, you must follow the rules of the ETA, for the duration of your stay.
In the following section, we answer some frequently asked questions about the UK ETA
FAQs
Currently, an ETA is a requirement for many nationals who were able to visit the UK visa-free, including visitors from the Netherlands. Unless you have a UK visa, have permission to work and live in the UK, are from Ireland or Britain, or are traveling with a British Overseas territory passport, a UK ETA is required for the UK visits.
As announced in many ETA news recently, nationals of countries that used to be eligible for a visa-free UK visit before the ETA system was launched will need an ETA. Many countries are eligible for the UK ETA, such as EU countries, Citizens of the Gulf Countries, and parts of Asia, Latin America, and Africa, as well as New Zealand and Australia all need to obtain an ETA for the UK permit before traveling to the UK.
This means an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which is not the same as a visa. An ETA is a permission to travel to the UK, to certain nationalities like Dutch and other EU citizens.
EU citizens are visa-exempt, which means they are eligible for an ETA for the UK. Obtaining a UK ETA for EU citizens can easily be processed online via the application form.