February 25, 2026 marks a decisive turning point for French travelers heading to the United Kingdom. From this date, the « No Permission, No Travel » policy comes into force: boarding will be systematically refused without a valid Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This new formality, introduced in April 2025 but applied flexibly until now, becomes unavoidable. With a passport now mandatory and a cost of £16, the days of spontaneous trips to London with just an ID card are definitively over in the post-Brexit era.
ETA becomes mandatory without exception after February 25, 2026
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is the British equivalent of the American ESTA: an electronic travel authorization that pre-screens visitors before arrival. For French citizens, this formality has been available since April 2, 2025, but the British government has until now allowed some flexibility for unprepared travelers.
Everything changes on February 25, 2026 with the implementation of the « No Permission, No Travel » principle. In practice, airlines, Eurostar, and ferries will have to verify ETA validity before boarding. Without authorization, boarding is impossible — no exceptions, no regularization at the border.
What the ETA allows
- Multiple stays of up to 6 months for tourism, business, or short-term studies
- 2-year validity (or until passport expiration)
- Generally instant processing (recommendation: apply at least 3 business days before departure)
How to get your ETA: step-by-step procedure
Applications are made exclusively via the official website gov.uk/eta or the UK ETA mobile app (available on iOS and Android). Allow about 10 minutes to complete the form.
Required documents
- A valid passport (photo of the identity page)
- A recent ID photo meeting British standards
- Your personal details (email, phone number)
- Answers to a security questionnaire about your background
Payment of £16 (approximately €19) is made by credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
Pitfalls to avoid
gov.uk before paying.Price changes: the initial price of £10 was already increased in April 2025, and a new increase to £20 has been confirmed by the Home Office (date not yet announced).
Passport mandatory since October 2021
Since October 1, 2021, the French national ID card is no longer accepted for entry into the UK. Only a passport allows crossing the British border — a major break from the pre-Brexit era when Europeans traveled freely with just their ID cards.
Required validity
Unlike the Schengen area, the UK does not require 6 months of additional validity after your stay: the passport simply needs to cover the duration of travel. However, some airlines apply stricter rules — it’s better to have a safety margin.
Exception: Settled and Pre-Settled Status
French residents established in the UK before Brexit, holders of settled status or pre-settled status, can continue to use their ID card until December 31, 2025.
The EHIC remains valid in the UK
Good news for health coverage: contrary to post-Brexit fears, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) remains fully operational in the UK. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement signed in December 2020 maintains coordination of social security systems.
What’s covered with the EHIC
- NHS GP consultations: free
- NHS hospitalization: free
- Prescription medications: £9.35 per item (free for under 16s and over 60s)
- Emergency ambulance: free
What’s not covered
The French Foreign Ministry systematically recommends taking out supplementary travel insurance. The EHIC does not cover:
- Medical repatriation
- Care in private facilities (very expensive in the UK)
- Trip cancellation
For a 2 to 4-week stay, expect to pay €50 to €150 for insurance depending on coverage.
School trips: the little-known exemption that changes everything
This is the least covered angle in travel guides: students under 19 participating in an organized school trip from France are exempt from ETA. Better still, they can travel with just an ID card, without a passport.
Exemption conditions
This exceptional facility, resulting from a Franco-British agreement in March 2023, applies under certain conditions:
- The student must be regularly enrolled in a French school (institution recognized by the Ministry of Education)
- The trip must be organized as a group under the responsibility of a designated teacher
- A collective form (« France-UK School Trip Travel Information Form ») must be validated by the prefecture 15 days to 1 month before departure
Warning for chaperones!
Non-European students
Another crucial point: this exemption even covers non-European students enrolled in French schools. A Moroccan, Algerian, or Chinese student enrolled in a French secondary school can participate in the school trip without a British visa, simply by being listed on the validated collective form.
Airport transit: the rules you need to know
The question comes up every time: do I need an ETA for a simple stopover in London? The answer depends on the type of transit.
Airside transit (international zone)
For an airside transit (staying in the international zone without going through passport control) at Heathrow and Manchester, an ETA is currently not required.
When ETA is mandatory
An ETA becomes mandatory when you need to:
- Pass through British passport control (landside transit)
- Change airports (e.g., Heathrow to Gatwick)
- Transit through an airport other than Heathrow or Manchester
- Collect your luggage to re-check it
Franco-British dual nationals: an administrative paradox
Paradoxical situation: French citizens who also hold British nationality must now travel with their British passport to the UK. If they present their French passport, they will be treated like any European visitor — ETA required and standard checks.
Expired British passport?
The problem arises when the British passport has expired or is being renewed: the Franco-British traveler finds themselves forced to apply for an ETA for their own country of nationality, with the risk of being denied boarding if they cannot prove their status.
Critical calendar for February 2026 holidays
School holidays for Zone C (Paris, Créteil, Versailles, Montpellier, Toulouse academies) begin on February 22, 2026 — just 3 days before the strict ETA enforcement.
Families departing after February 25 must apply in advance without fail.
Money-saving tip
For May bank holidays and summer vacations 2026, the ETA will be a routine formality. But watch out for the announced price increase: applying now at £16 rather than waiting for an increase to £20 saves £4 per person — not negligible for a family.
After February 25? What to expect
The UK is not alone in digitizing its borders. The European Union is preparing ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), expected by late 2026, which will apply to British citizens and other third-country nationals visiting the Schengen area. Announced cost: €7, valid for 3 years.
A global trend
This announced reciprocity doesn’t lighten obligations for French travelers to the UK, but illustrates a global trend: after the American ESTA ($14), Canadian eTA (7 CAD), and now the British ETA (£16), electronic travel authorizations are becoming the norm for international travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the UK ETA cost in 2026?
The ETA currently costs £16 (approximately €19). The initial price of £10 was increased in April 2025, and a new increase to £20 has been confirmed by the Home Office, with no specific date announced. Only apply through the official gov.uk/eta website to avoid intermediary fees.
Can I travel to the UK with my ID card in 2026?
No, the French national ID card has not been accepted since October 1, 2021. A valid passport is required for all French travelers to the UK. The only exception: students under 19 participating in an organized school trip can use their ID card with the collective form validated by the prefecture.
Is the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) valid in the UK?
Yes, the EHIC remains valid in the UK thanks to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement of December 2020. It provides access to NHS (public system) care on the same terms as British residents. However, it doesn’t cover repatriation or private care — supplementary travel insurance is recommended.
Does my child need an ETA for a school trip to the UK?
No, students under 19 participating in an organized school trip from France are exempt from ETA. They can even travel with just an ID card. The group must have the « France-UK School Trip Travel Information Form » validated by the prefecture. Note: adult chaperones must have both passport AND ETA.
Do I need an ETA for a transit at Heathrow?
For an airside transit (without going through customs) at Heathrow or Manchester, an ETA is currently not required. However, if you need to collect luggage, change airports, or go through passport control, an ETA is mandatory. For safety after February 25, 2026, we recommend obtaining an ETA even for a simple transit.
What happens if I don’t have an ETA on February 25, 2026?
From February 25, 2026, the « No Permission, No Travel » policy comes into force. Airlines, Eurostar, and ferries will have to verify ETA validity before boarding. Without a valid authorization, you will be denied boarding — no exceptions will be made, no regularization will be possible at the border.
- gov.uk/eta – Official ETA application site
- gov.uk – Official ETA guide
- diplomatie.gouv.fr – Travel advice (United Kingdom)
- homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk – ETA Factsheet
- service-public.fr – Practical reminders
- cleiss.fr – Health coverage in the UK
- nhs.uk – EHIC / GHIC
- lewissilkin.com – Legal analysis (ETA)
- immigrationbarrister.co.uk – ETA information