Israel ETA for UK citizens: what it is, how to apply, how much (2026)
Since 1 January 2025, every UK traveller flying to Israel needs an ETA-IL. It costs 25 shekels (~£6) and takes minutes — as long as you use the real site.
Since January 2025, British and most other visa-exempt travellers need an ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) before flying to Israel. It's cheap, fast, and online — but it's mandatory, and airlines will not board you without one. Here's the plain-English version.
Do UK citizens need an ETA for Israel?
Yes. As of 1 January 2025, all British citizens flying to Israel for tourism, business, or transit must hold an approved ETA-IL before boarding. It replaced the old visa-on-arrival stamp for visa-exempt nationalities. You still don't need a full visa — the ETA is a lightweight pre-screening, similar to the US ESTA or UK ETA.
How much does the Israel ETA cost?
The official price is 25 Israeli New Shekels — about £6 or $7 USD depending on the exchange rate. You pay by credit or debit card at the end of the application. If a website is charging £30, £50, or "expedited service" fees, you are on a copycat site. Close the tab.
How to apply
- Go to the official portal: gov.il/en/service/eta-il.
- Have your passport, a recent passport-style photo, and a card ready.
- Fill in personal details, travel plans, and answer the security questions honestly.
- Pay 25 NIS. You'll get a confirmation email; approval usually lands within minutes to 72 hours.
- Print or save the approval. Airlines check it at the gate.
How long does approval take?
Most ETA-IL applications are approved within a few hours, but Israeli authorities officially say to allow up to 72 hours. Don't leave it to the airport. If your application flags for manual review it can take longer, especially if you've visited certain countries or your name matches a watch-list entry.
How long is the Israel ETA valid?
An approved ETA-IL is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Within that window you can enter Israel multiple times, staying up to 90 days per visit. You need a new ETA if you get a new passport, change your name, or significantly change your appearance.
Passport requirements
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry. Israel no longer stamps passports on arrival for most travellers — instead you receive a small paper entry slip. Keep that slip; you'll need it to check into hotels, hire a car, or claim VAT refunds.
Ben Gurion airport: what to expect
Israeli border control is famously thorough. Even with an approved ETA, officers may ask about your accommodation, itinerary, occupation, and any previous travel to neighbouring countries. Answer honestly and briefly. The ETA speeds up the queue — it doesn't skip the interview.
Travelling on to the West Bank, Jordan, or Egypt
The ETA-IL covers entry to Israel. Onward travel across land borders into Jordan (Allenby/King Hussein Bridge) or Egypt (Taba) still works the same way — check the destination country's own entry requirements. Re-entering Israel from those borders requires your ETA to still be valid.
Common mistakes
- Using a third-party site: if you're paying more than 25 NIS (~£6/$7), you're on a copycat.
- Applying at the airport: airlines check ETA status at boarding. No ETA = no flight.
- Passport mismatch: your ETA is tied to a specific passport number. New passport = new ETA.
- Assuming children are exempt: every traveller, including infants, needs their own ETA.
Bottom line
The Israel ETA is one of the cheapest and simplest travel authorisations on the market — as long as you use the real website. Budget 25 NIS, apply a week before you fly, and print your approval. That's it.
Official sources: the Israel ETA-IL portal and the UK government's Israel entry requirements.