UK imposes online entry permit on Europeans
New rules came into force Wednesday requiring European visitors to the UK to buy an online entry permit as the government revised longstanding regulations to boost border security.
The changes, however, caused little disruption at Paris's Gare du Nord station as passengers began their Eurostar journey to London.
"So far we haven't had any passengers turned away," a member of Eurostar's staff told AFP.
Travellers from Europe now need a digital Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) permit, which UK officials said they were rolling out to boost security and streamline entry processes.
There will be a buffer period which could last several months.
The permit can be bought online for £10 (12 euros), but the price is rising swiftly from April 9 to £16.
The ETA has already been introduced for American, Canadian and other visa-exempt nationals visiting the UK, which left the European Union in 2020.
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