The eTA Israel (ETA-IL) application costs 25 NIS per person (approximately £5.40 GBP in 2026), payable online through the PIBA portal. UK applicants pay between £5.40 and £5.60 total depending on their bank’s foreign transaction fee. Every traveller, including children and infants, needs a separate application at the same 25 NIS rate. This flat, one-time fee covers your travel authorisation for up to two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. There are no hidden charges or VAT surcharges added to the 25 NIS fee. Exchange rates were checked on 9 September 2026; GBP amounts shown are estimates and may differ when your transaction is processed.
What Is the ETA-IL and How Much Does It Cost?
The ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) is a mandatory electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt UK nationals entering Israel, costing a flat 25 NIS per applicant. Enforced since 1 January 2025, the ETA-IL permits stays of up to 90 days per visit with multiple entries during its validity period. The application is submitted online before travel, not at the border.
The eTA Israel application fee is 25 NIS per individual: a flat, one-time charge with no hidden fees, VAT, or surcharges. In USD, the fee equals approximately $7. In GBP, at 2026 exchange rates (1 NIS ≈ £0.22), the same 25 NIS converts to roughly £5.20 to £5.60 (midpoint ~£5.40). Every traveller, regardless of age, must submit a separate ETA-IL application and pay the fee independently.
Currency Conversion: How 25 NIS Translates to Pounds
25 NIS = ~£5.40 (1 NIS ≈ £0.22). The exact GBP amount on your card statement depends on the exchange rate your bank applies on the day of payment. UK bank FX fees (0 to 3%) raise the total to £5.40 to £5.57. For context, a traveller paying with a Barclays debit card on 9 September 2026 would see approximately £5.57 on their statement, including a 2.85% FX fee. Using a neo-bank card like Revolut or Wise keeps the total at ~£5.40.
Total Cost Per Person for UK Applicants in 2026
The 25 NIS eTA Israel application fee is charged in NIS on the PIBA payment gateway; your UK card issuer converts to GBP at the point of transaction. Most applicants pay £5.40 to £5.60 total, depending on the bank’s 0 to 3% foreign transaction fee. Neo-banks (Revolut, Monzo, Starling, Wise) charge 0% FX, keeping the total at ~£5.40. Traditional banks add 2.75 to 2.99%, raising the real cost to ~£5.55.
| Bank / Card Type | FX Fee on NIS Transactions | Estimated Total Cost per Person (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional UK banks (HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds) | 2.75 to 2.99% | ~£5.55 to £5.57 |
| Neo-banks (Revolut, Monzo, Starling, Wise) | 0% (within monthly limits) | ~£5.40 |
Will Your UK Bank Charge Extra on the 25 NIS Payment?
The ETA-IL payment is processed in NIS; conversion to pounds is handled by your card issuer. Traditional UK banks (HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds) apply 2.75 to 2.99% FX fee, making the total ~£5.55 to £5.57. Neo-banks (Revolut, Monzo, Starling, Wise) charge 0% FX within monthly free allowances, keeping the ETA-IL cost at ~£5.40 per applicant. Using a travel-friendly card minimises the total cost per person and avoids unnecessary surcharges on the 25 NIS fee.
How to Pay the ETA-IL Fee and Avoid Third-Party Markups
The eTA Israel application fee of 25 NIS (~$7 / ~£5.40) is charged exclusively online during submission on the PIBA application website. Accepted cards: Visa and Mastercard (credit or debit). 3D Secure verification may be required. No fees are collected at the airport or border. Third-party agencies may add surcharges, but no paid priority lane exists; standard processing is 72 hours for everyone.
| Channel | Government Fee | Service Fee | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct via PIBA | 25 NIS (~$7) | $0 | ~£5.40 |
| VisaHQ Tourist | $7 | $59 | $66 (~£53) |
| VisaHQ Business | $7 | $89 | $96 (~£77) |
Apply only at israel-entry.piba.gov.il (gov.il). Third-party sites charge up to 12× more (e.g. VisaHQ: $66 vs $7 direct). For a step-by-step guide, see our how to apply for eTA Israel step by step and Israel entry requirements for UK citizens 2026.
Family Costs, Validity, and Refund Policy
Every traveller (including infants) pays 25 NIS for their ETA-IL, with no exemptions or discounts. For a family of 4: 4 × 25 NIS = 100 NIS (~£21.60). If you are asking How much does eTA Israel cost? for your group, multiply 25 NIS by the number of travellers.
| Traveller Group | Applications | Total Cost (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Solo traveller | 1 | £5.40 |
| Couple | 2 | £10.80 |
| Family 2+1 | 3 | £16.20 |
| Family 2+2 | 4 | £21.60 |
| Large family 2+4 | 6 | £32.40 |
Each ETA-IL is valid up to 2 years or passport expiry, with multiple entries. The 25 NIS fee is non-refundable; errors require a new application and a second payment. At ~£0.23 per month of travel access, the ETA-IL is approximately 3× cheaper than the US ESTA (~$21 / ~£17 for 2 years).
| Authorisation | Fee | GBP Equivalent | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Israel ETA-IL | 25 NIS (~$7) | ~£5.40 | Up to 2 years |
| US ESTA | $21 | ~£17 | 2 years |
For payment issues, contact PIBA at [email protected] or call +972-2-535-9740. PIBA is located at 42 Agripas st., Jerusalem, Israel.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ETA-IL Fee in 2026 (FAQ)
What is the eTA Israel application fee in NIS?
The fee is 25 Israeli New Shekels (NIS) per applicant, payable online on the PIBA portal. This is a flat administrative fee with no additional charges or group discounts.
How much is 25 NIS in GBP right now?
As of 2026, 25 NIS is approximately £5.20 to £5.60, with a midpoint of ~£5.40. Exchange rates fluctuate, so the exact amount may vary when your card issuer processes the transaction.
Does the ETA-IL have any hidden fees or extra charges?
No. The government charges exactly 25 NIS with no hidden fees, VAT, or tax surcharges. The only additional cost may be your bank’s foreign transaction fee (0 to 3%).
Does the fee differ for business vs. tourist visits?
No. The 25 NIS fee is identical for tourism, business, or transit. Differences only arise if you use a third-party agency with separate service tiers.
When do I pay: online or at the airport?
The fee is charged exclusively online during the application on the PIBA portal. There are no fees at the airport or border crossing.
Is VAT included in the 25 NIS fee?
Yes. The 25 NIS is a flat administrative fee inclusive of all applicable taxes. No additional Israeli VAT is charged on top of this amount.
Can I pay with a debit card or only credit?
Both credit and debit cards are accepted, including Visa and Mastercard. The system may require 3D Secure verification.
I paid but haven’t received a receipt: what should I do?
Check your spam or junk folder. If missing, contact PIBA at [email protected] or call +972-2-535-9740.
Is there an urgent or expedited processing option that costs more?
No. There is a single fee tier of 25 NIS. Standard processing takes up to 72 hours. No paid priority lane exists.
Can I get a refund if my ETA-IL application is denied?
No. The 25 NIS fee is non-refundable regardless of whether your application is approved, denied, or withdrawn after submission.
The eTA Israel (ETA-IL) costs 25 NIS per person (approximately £5.20 to £5.60 GBP in 2026), payable online via the PIBA portal. No hidden charges or VAT apply. UK bank foreign transaction fees (0 to 3%) may bring the total to £5.40 to £5.60. Every traveller, including children, pays separately. The authorisation is valid for up to 2 years.
