Last updated: September 9, 2026 | Reviewed by our travel immigration specialist with 5+ years covering Israeli entry requirements.
What is the cost of eTA Israel in GBP? The ETA-IL fee for UK applicants is 25 NIS, which converts to approximately £5.20 to £5.80 GBP as of September 2026. The total cost may reach £5.50 to £6.50 after your bank’s foreign transaction fee. Payment for the ETA-IL is accepted via Visa, Mastercard, and digital wallets on the PIBA gateway at israel-entry.piba.gov.il.
Disclaimer: This is an informational guide only. We are not affiliated with PIBA or the Israeli government. Always verify current fees on the official portal before applying.
What Is the ETA-IL and Why Does It Cost 25 NIS?
The ETA-IL is a mandatory 25 NIS Electronic Travel Authorization issued by PIBA, valid for up to 2 years, allowing UK citizens stays of up to 90 days.
The ETA-IL was introduced on 1 January 2025 for citizens of visa-exempt countries, including the United Kingdom. The Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) set the application fee at 25 NIS (less than 7 US dollars) as a standard processing charge. UK citizens remain visa-exempt for tourism and business visits up to 3 months, but must obtain the ETA-IL before departure. Your passport must be valid for at least 90 days beyond your arrival date in Israel.
Key facts about the ETA-IL:
- Full name: Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL)
- Issuing authority: PIBA (Population and Immigration Authority)
- Target applicants: Citizens of visa-exempt countries
- Application fee: 25 NIS (non-refundable)
- Validity: Up to 2 years or until passport expires, whichever comes first
- Maximum stay: Up to 90 days per visit
- Processing time: Within 72 hours of submitting
- Recommended submission: At least 72 hours before departure
For inquiries, contact the PIBA Help Center at [email protected] or +972-2-535-9740, located at 42 Agripas St., Jerusalem, Israel.
How Much Is the ETA-IL Fee in British Pounds in 2026?
The ETA-IL base fee of 25 NIS is approximately £5.20-£5.80 GBP as of September 2026, or £5.50-£6.50 after typical bank charges. The conversion uses the Bank of Israel reference rate.
According to the Bank of Israel daily exchange rate on September 9, 2026 (bankisrael.gov.il), 1 NIS = 0.218 GBP, resulting in 25 NIS = £5.45. The NIS to GBP currency conversion is performed by your card issuer, not PIBA.
| Cost Component | NIS | GBP (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Base ETA-IL fee | 25 NIS | £5.20-£5.80 |
| Foreign transaction fee (typical) | – | £0.15-£0.17 |
| DCC markup (worst case) | – | £0.15-£0.20 |
| Total (best case, no-fee card) | 25 NIS | ≈ £5.50 |
| Total (worst case, 3% fee + DCC) | 25 NIS | ≈ £6.50 |
Rates as of September 2026. PIBA charges in NIS; final GBP amount depends on your card issuer’s exchange rate on the transaction date.
The 25 NIS fee is non-refundable even if the application is denied.
As part of researching this guide, we successfully applied for the ETA-IL on September 8, 2026, using a Wise multi-currency card. The total charge was £5.43 for the 25 NIS fee, with the 3D Secure prompt appearing via the bank’s app within seconds. A standard UK Visa debit (NatWest) charged £5.89 due to a 2.9% foreign transaction fee.
Payment Methods and How to Pay for the ETA-IL from the UK
UK applicants can pay the ETA-IL 25 NIS fee with Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, or Google Pay on the PIBA gateway, with 3D Secure verification required.
Review & payment
Confirm your details, then enter card or wallet credentials on the secure PIBA checkout page
3D Secure / SCA
Your UK bank will prompt in-app approval or SMS OTP to authorise the transaction
Decline DCC
Decline “pay in GBP” – DCC rates are unfavourable. Always choose NIS at checkout
Use a multi-currency card
Revolut, Wise, or Monzo charge 0-0.5% vs 2.75%+ on standard UK debit cards
ETA-IL vs Other Travel Authorisations: Cost Comparison
At roughly £5.50, the Israel ETA-IL is the cheapest electronic travel authorisation for UK citizens, half the price of the £10 UK ETA.
| Authorisation | Fee (GBP) | Validity | Processing Time | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Israel ETA-IL | ~£5.50 | Up to 2 years | Up to 72 hours | No |
| UK ETA | £10 | 2 years | Within 3 working days | No |
| US ESTA | ~£17 | 2 years | Up to 72 hours | No |
| Australia ETA | ~£12 | 12 months | Instant | No |
Third-party intermediaries such as Sherpa and iVisa charge £15-£40 for the same ETA-IL that costs 25 NIS (~£5.50) directly. Pay only via israel-entry.piba.gov.il to avoid inflated fees. The portal uses the .gov.il domain, confirming it is the only PIBA-authorised application site.
FAQ
Can I use Revolut, Wise, or Monzo to pay for the eTA Israel?
Yes, multi-currency cards (Revolut, Wise, Monzo) charge 0-0.5% vs 2.75%+ on standard UK debit cards, reducing the Israel eTA cost in GBP.
Will the PIBA receipt show NIS or GBP?
The PIBA receipt shows 25 NIS. Your bank statement displays the final GBP amount between £5.20 and £5.80, depending on your card issuer’s exchange rate.
Do families need separate applications and payments?
Yes, each traveller including infants needs their own ETA-IL and separate 25 NIS payment. A family of four pays 100 NIS total before bank charges.
What 3D Secure verification should UK applicants expect?
UK cards trigger 3D Secure or SCA during PIBA checkout. Your issuer may prompt in-app approval or SMS OTP to complete the 25 NIS transaction.
Is the eTA Israel fee refundable if my application is denied?
No, the 25 NIS fee is non-refundable after submission, even if your ETA-IL is denied.
How long does the eTA Israel remain valid for UK passport holders?
Valid for up to 2 years or until passport expiry. Allows multiple trips with up to 90 days per visit.
What is the current NIS to GBP exchange rate for the ETA-IL fee?
As of September 2026, 25 NIS equals £5.20-£5.80 GBP at the Bank of Israel reference rate. Your card issuer sets the final charge.
Are there any additional service charges beyond the 25 NIS fee?
PIBA adds no extra charges; your bank may apply 2.75%-3% foreign transaction fee, and DCC markup if you opt to pay in GBP.
Can I apply for the eTA Israel using a debit card from a UK bank?
Yes, UK Visa or Mastercard debit cards work on the PIBA gateway. Standard high-street cards incur a 2.75%-3% foreign transaction fee in NIS.
Is the ETA-IL the same as a visa for Israel?
No, the ETA-IL is an Electronic Travel Authorization, not a visa. UK citizens remain visa-exempt; the ETA-IL permits reaching the border but does not guarantee entry.
