UK ETA for Israeli Citizens
Israeli citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation to enter the United Kingdom for tourism, business, family visits, or short courses. Israel was added to the UK ETA scheme as part of the phased global rollout to visa-exempt nationals. The fee is £16 per person, the process is online, and most applications are approved within minutes.
What the UK ETA is
The UK ETA is a digital pre-travel authorisation — not a visa. It's linked to your Israeli passport and permits entry to the UK for up to 6 months per visit. Before the ETA scheme launched, Israeli citizens could enter the UK with just their passport. That's no longer the case — the ETA is now required before boarding any flight to the UK.
Who needs a UK ETA from Israel
Every Israeli passport holder needs their own ETA, including children and infants.
- Israeli citizens: yes, ETA required
- Dual Israeli/UK citizens: travel on your UK passport — no ETA needed
- Dual Israeli/EU citizens: EU passport works for Schengen; UK ETA still required for UK entry (unless you also hold a UK or Irish passport)
- Israeli residents travelling on another country's passport: ETA requirement follows the passport country
Applying from Israel
Apply through the UK Home Office portal at gov.uk or via the official UK ETA app (available in Hebrew-language app stores on iOS and Android). You'll need a valid Israeli biometric passport, a digital photo, and a credit or debit card to pay the £16 fee. Allow about 10 minutes per person. Most decisions come back within minutes.
Cost and validity
The official fee is £16 per person — the same for all nationalities. No family discount. Children, including infants, pay £16 each. The ETA is valid for 2 years from the approval date, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Multiple entries are permitted, with stays of up to 6 months per visit.
UK + Europe trips
Many Israeli travellers combine UK visits with European destinations. The UK and EU are separate systems: UK ETA covers the United Kingdom; ETIAS (launching October 2026) covers the Schengen Area. Israeli citizens will need both for a UK + Europe itinerary.
Find out what your family needs
Four quick questions. Personalised per family member. Tells you exactly what to apply for and when — UK ETA, ETIAS, EES, or nothing.
Take the quizCommon questions
האם ישראלים צריכים אישור ETA לבריטניה? (Do Israelis need a UK ETA?)
כן. מאז השקת מערכת ה-ETA הבריטית, כל אזרחי ישראל הנוסעים לבריטניה לטיולים, ביקורי משפחה, או פגישות עסקים חייבים להגיש בקשה לאישור ETA לפני הנסיעה. העלות היא £16 לאדם. (Yes. Since the UK ETA scheme launched, all Israeli citizens travelling to the UK for tourism, family visits, or business meetings must apply for an ETA before travel. The cost is £16 per person.)
How long is the UK ETA valid for Israeli passport holders?
2 years from the date of approval, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. Multiple entries, with stays up to 6 months each.
Can Israeli children travel to the UK without their own ETA?
No. Every passport holder — including infants — needs their own UK ETA at £16. There are no age exemptions.
Is the UK ETA different from ETIAS for travel to Europe?
Yes — they are completely separate. UK ETA is for the United Kingdom. ETIAS (launching October 2026) is for the Schengen Area. If you're visiting both, you need both.