The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has officially expanded to European travellers. Starting 2 April 2025, EU (except Irish nationals), EEA, and Swiss citizens will need ETA approval to enter the UK.

The system became mandatory for travellers from the US, Canada and Australia on 8 January 2025, following its rollout last November for nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

To obtain the visa waiver, which costs £10 (€12), travellers need to complete an online process. Unfortunately, there are already reports of scam websites offering to assist with paperwork.

Here’s what to watch out for to avoid paying more than you need to.

The ETA replaces the single-use Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) scheme, offering a lower cost option with multi-entry validity.

The UK government says its mobile app is the quickest and easiest way to apply for an ETA. You can download the ETA app from the UK government website.

If you cannot download the app, you can also apply online here.

To complete the application, make sure you have on hand the passport you’ll be travelling on, an email address and a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. You will have to answer a set of suitability questions. You don’t need to enter your travel details.

The government advises applying at least three working days before your trip.

You can delete the app when you’ve finished applying. Your ETA will be linked to your passport digitally, and you will not need to show anything else when you enter the UK.

Watch out for ETA visa waiver scam websites

The above methods are the only secure and legitimate ways to apply for the ETA.

There are no external or third-party websites that are authorised by the UK government to process the visa waiver.

These sites will simply complete the application for you via the official channels while charging you extra for their services.

Be aware that some of these sites appear above the government website (www.gov.uk) on Google searches.

It is the traveller’s individual responsibility to apply for the ETA before arriving in the UK so you will not receive reminders from the UK government. If you receive emails or text messages prompting you to apply, these will not be legitimate.

Some of the most lauded tourist attractions in the world leave travellers distinctly underwhelmed, a new study has found.

Luggage storage company Radical Storage analysed 95,352 visitor reviews across 200 of the most visited landmarks to reveal the world’s most disappointing tourist attractions.

The top five spots were all taken by European sights, a few of which are often considered bucket list-worthy destinations.

The world’s most disappointing tourist attraction is in the UK

Inspired by Disneyland’s success in America, the country estate of Alton Towers was transformed into a theme park in the 1980s. With 10 themed areas spread across 910 acres, it is the UK’s biggest.

However, the research found that almost half of the reviews for the Staffordshire-based amusement park featured words indicating a negative experience. For context, the average rate of negative reviews in the study is 10.9 per cent.

Alton Towers had the highest percentage of reviews that specifically complained about value for money including misleading ticket information, and expectations to pay for overpriced add-ons such as expensive food and drink or access to different areas of the park.

Comments also suggest it’s often not the rides that disappoint customers, but the customer service.

Budapest’s thermal baths are overcrowded

The Széchenyi Baths and Pool in Hungary’s capital Budapest is the largest medicinal bath in Europe and has been a wellness tourism destination since 1913.

However, over a third of people who left a review of the baths online reported a less than satisfactory experience. The baths ranked third worst in the crowds and accessibility category (16.8 per cent of all reviews compared to the 4.4 per cent average).

Spain’s famed Siam Park has poor customer service

Siam Park in the Spanish Tenerife is Europe’s biggest water park, opened by the Princess of Thailand Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in 2007. However, a visit to the “world’s best water park” is not universally enjoyable. Reviewers frequently mention the rude staff and accessibility issues.

Some reviewers mentioned feeling shamed due to their weight and mentioned the park not being disability-friendly. Overall, nearly a third of reviews had something negative to say about their experience.

Time Out Market Lisboa is a victim of its own success

Planned and built by the magazine Time Out (a British media and hospitality company) in 2014, Time Out Market Lisboa was the company’s first venture into food halls.

In 2018 the project earned the prestigious Hamburg Foodservice Award – one of the most respected awards in the food-service industry. But according to reviews, things may have taken a turn for the worse since. Over a quarter of reviewers have left underwhelmed or disappointed.

It seems the Time Out Market Lisboa is a victim of its own success. The attraction had the greatest percentage of reviews mentioning crowds or access issues (18.4 per cent compared to the 4.4 per cent average).

The Trevi Fountain is too crowded

The Trevi Fountain is an iconic Baroque monument in Rome and has been featured in popular films such as Fellini’s La Dolce Vita and Wyler’s Roman Holiday.

Every year, tourists throw an estimated €1 million into the fountain, and a coin tossed into the water is supposed to guarantee a return to Rome in the future.

But if you cast a wish into the fountain, you may want to time your visit wisely. After Time Out Market Lisboa, the reviews had the second greatest proportion of people mentioning crowds or accessibility issues. Overall, one in four people had something negative to say about their experience.

The fountain was also closed for renovations for part of 2024, which may have contributed to some visitors’ disappointment.

Thailand has announced it will halve the number of days foreign tourists can stay in the country without a visa from 60 days to 30.

The move comes as the Southeast Asian nation clamps down on travellers exploiting the waiver to carry out illegal business activities, tourism and sports minister Sorawong Thienthong said.

Local travel and hospitality associations have also expressed concerns over visitors renting out accommodation without official authorisation.

Thailand cuts visa-free stays to curb illegal business activities

Since July 2024, passport holders from 93 countries have been allowed to stay in Thailand for tourism purposes for up to 60 days.

By cutting the number of days to 30, the government says it hopes to curb misuse of the waiver period without damaging tourism.

The Association of Thai Travel Agents has spoken out over concerns that an increasing number of foreigners are engaging in illicit jobs or business activities while claiming to be visiting for tourism purposes.

The Thai Hotels Association raised another key issue that the 60-day stay was prompting a rise in the illegal letting of apartments to foreign visitors, the Bangkok Post reported.

Thienthong said the measure has been agreed upon in principle by key ministries and an official date for the change will be announced soon.

There will reportedly be possible exemptions or transitional measures for travellers who already have bookings in place.

How will Thailand’s shorter visa-free period affect tourism?

Thailand’s 60-day stay has been a boon for many travellers wanting to undertake extended trips, including digital nomads and retirees.

Around seven per cent of bookings to Thailand between January and February were for stays of over 22 nights, according to data from Forward Keys.

Officials say the reduction in the number of visa-free days could see a small negative impact on inbound tourism demand.

Tourism is a vital driver of Thailand’s economy, and other challenges are also facing the industry.

“The potential policy move adds to a growing list of factors weighing on the sector […], along with Chinese tourists’ security concerns and tighter travel budgets among North American and European travellers,” Bloomberg Intelligence analysts wrote in a report this week.

Thai authorities are aiming for foreign tourist arrivals to exceed 40 million in 2025, which would break the country’s 2019 record.

Between January and mid-March, Thailand’s visitor numbers were already up 3.9 per cent from 2024.