Last updated: 9 September 2026. All costs and validity periods verified against PIBA and CBP publications. This comparison is based on publicly available information from PIBA, U.S. DHS, and the European Commission. All figures are in GBP using exchange rates as of 2026.
Israel’s ETA-IL costs 25 NIS (approximately £5.50) and is valid for up to 2 years, allowing stays of up to 90 days. The US ESTA costs $21 (approximately £16.50) with 2-year validity. Both are online, multiple-entry authorisations for UK travellers. The EU’s ETIAS, expected in 2026, will cost €7 (approximately £6) with 3-year validity.
eTA Israel vs ESTA is a key comparison for UK passport holders planning travel in 2026. Both are mandatory electronic travel authorisations: the ETA-IL costs 25 NIS (approximately £5.50) and the US ESTA costs $21 (approximately £16.50), each valid for up to two years with multiple entries. The ETA-IL is processed within 72 hours through a web-only portal operated by Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA). The ESTA, issued by DHS/CBP, is often approved instantly and supports the CBP One mobile app.
Israel’s ETA-IL vs the US ESTA: Key Facts
The eTA Israel vs ESTA comparison covers two electronic travel authorisation systems for visa-exempt nationals, differing in cost, issuing authority, and eligibility rules for UK passport holders in 2026.
- ETA-IL: issued by PIBA, costs 25 NIS (approximately £5.50), non-refundable. Valid for up to 2 years or until passport expiry, permits stays of up to 90 days with multiple entries. Passport must be valid at least 3 months from arrival. Mandatory since 1 January 2025. Functionally equivalent to the US ESTA.
- US ESTA: issued by DHS/CBP under the Visa Waiver Program, costs $21 (approximately £16.50), non-refundable. Valid for 2 years, covers stays of less than 90 days for tourism or business, multiple entries.
- ETA-IL exemptions: Israeli citizens, dual citizens whose foreign passport is linked to an Israeli record, diplomats on official mission, Israeli visa holders (types A1-A5, B1, B3, B4).
- ESTA ineligibility: travel to Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen triggers additional security scrutiny or denial.
- Authorisation vs visa: both are pre-travel permissions, not traditional visas; a border control officer makes the final entry decision in both cases.
Side-by-Side Comparison: ETA-IL, ESTA, and ETIAS in 2026
The eTA Israel vs ESTA comparison reveals distinct differences in cost, validity, and stay limits, with the upcoming EU ETIAS adding a third benchmark for UK travellers evaluating travel authorisation comparison 2026 options.
| Feature | Israel ETA-IL | US ESTA | EU ETIAS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 25 NIS (approximately £5.50) | $21 (approximately £16.50) | €7 (approximately £6) |
| Validity | Up to 2 years | 2 years | 3 years |
| Stay per visit | Up to 90 days | Less than 90 days | 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen-wide, cumulative) |
| Processing time | Within 72 hours | Often instant | TBD |
| Multiple entries | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fee exemptions | None (all ages pay) | None (all ages pay) | Free for under 18 / over 70 |
| Passport validity | Min. 3 months from arrival | Valid for stay duration | Valid for stay duration |
| Application platform | Web only | Web + CBP One app | Web + app (planned) |
| Transit requirement | Not required for airside | Required even for airside | TBD |
Cost Comparison in GBP for Families
A family of 4 saves with ETIAS (approximately £12: two adults at £6 each, children under 18 free) compared to Israel (approximately £22) or the US (approximately £66). ETIAS also exempts applicants over 70, making it the only system of the three with age-based fee waivers.
Validity and Stay Limits Explained
ETA-IL permits up to 90 days per visit. ESTA allows less than 90 days. ETIAS applies a cumulative 90 days in any 180-day period across all 27 Schengen states, unlike single-country counting. All three allow multiple entries within validity.
How to Apply for ETA-IL and ESTA
UK travellers should apply for the ETA-IL at israel-entry.piba.gov.il (web only, 25 NIS, 72-hour processing) at least 72 hours before booking flights. The US ESTA can be filed via the CBP portal or CBP One mobile app ($21, often instant).
Go to israel-entry.piba.gov.il
Domain must end with .gov.il
Enter passport data
Min. 3 months validity from arrival
Pay 25 NIS
Non-refundable, no edits after submission
Receive email confirmation
Within 72 hours
US ESTA steps: (1) Apply via CBP portal or CBP One app ($21, non-refundable). (2) Provide detailed travel history and security-screening answers. (3) Approval often instant, allow up to 72 hours.
Warning: Fraudulent third-party providers charge higher fees. Use only the Israeli government portal (ending .gov.il) for the ETA-IL and the CBP platform for the ESTA. For ETA-IL support, contact [email protected] or call +972-2-535-9740 (24/7, English only).
What Do Each of These Forms Actually Ask You?
The eTA Israel vs ESTA comparison extends to form content. The ETA-IL collects basic personal and passport data plus travel purpose (tourism or business, non-work, non-medical). The US ESTA requires detailed travel history, US contact addresses, and security questions about criminal records and restricted-country travel. The upcoming ETIAS will ask questions similar to ESTA while cross-referencing EU security databases.
Travel History Impact on Eligibility
- ESTA: travel to Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen triggers additional scrutiny or ineligibility.
- ETA-IL: security questionnaire covers travel history relevant to hostile entities.
- ETIAS: planned to cross-reference EU security databases during application processing.
What About the EU’s ETIAS? The Third Travel Authorisation System in 2026
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to launch in 2026 for UK travellers visiting Schengen countries. It will cost €7 (approximately £6), grant 3-year validity, and permit stays of 90 days within any 180-day period cumulatively across all Schengen states. Fee exemptions apply to applicants under 18 and over 70. The application platform will include both a web portal and a mobile app. In the ETIAS vs ESTA comparison, ETIAS offers longer validity and lower cost but enforces the Schengen-wide cumulative stay rule.
ETA-IL for UK Citizens and Travel Tips
In the ETA-IL vs ESTA for UK comparison, British passport holders need only the ETA-IL (25 NIS, 2 years, 90 days) for Israel, distinct from the UK’s own £10 ETA which Israelis require for Britain. ETA-IL reapplication is triggered by a new passport, a name change, a gender change, or a change of country of citizenship. There is no formal appeal process for ETA-IL denials; applicants must submit a new form with corrected information. The US ESTA is required even for airside transit through the United States, whereas the ETA-IL is not needed for airside transit in Israel.
UK ETA vs Israel’s ETA-IL
- UK ETA: £10, 2-year validity, up to 6 months stay (for Israelis visiting Britain, effective 8 January 2025).
- Israel ETA-IL: 25 NIS (approximately £5.50), up to 2-year validity, up to 90 days stay (for UK visitors to Israel).
- ESTA: $21 (approximately £16.50), required even for US airside transit.
FAQ: eTA Israel vs ESTA for UK Travellers
1. Do UK citizens need an eTA to visit Israel in 2026?
Yes. ETA-IL is mandatory since 1 January 2025 for all UK passport holders, including infants. Exempt: Israeli citizens and dual nationals with Israeli ID numbers.
2. How much does the ETA-IL cost compared to the US ESTA?
ETA-IL: 25 NIS (approximately £5.50), non-refundable. US ESTA: $21 (approximately £16.50), non-refundable. EU ETIAS: €7 (approximately £6), free for under 18 and over 70.
3. How long does it take to process an ETA-IL?
ETA-IL processing takes within 72 hours of submission. PIBA recommends applying at least 72 hours before booking flights. The US ESTA is often approved instantly, though it can take up to 72 hours.
4. What is the ETIAS, and when will it start?
ETIAS is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, expected to launch in 2026 for UK travellers visiting Schengen countries. It will cost €7 (approximately £6), grant 3-year validity, and permit 90 days within any 180-day period cumulatively across all Schengen states.
5. Do I need an ESTA if I am just transiting through the US?
Yes. The US requires a valid ESTA even for airside transit and layovers on connecting flights. Israel does not require the ETA-IL for airside transit passengers who do not cross the Israeli border.
6. Can I apply for the ETA-IL on a mobile phone?
The ETA-IL is available only via web browser at israel-entry.piba.gov.il. The US ESTA can be submitted online or through the CBP One mobile app. The EU ETIAS is planned to offer both a web portal and a mobile app.
7. Is the ETA-IL valid for multiple entries?
Yes. Both the ETA-IL and ESTA allow multiple entries within their validity periods (up to 2 years for both). Each visit permits stays of up to 90 days under both systems.
8. What happens if my ETA-IL application is denied?
There is no formal appeal process. You must reapply by filling out a new form with corrected information. The 25 NIS fee is non-refundable. Contact PIBA at [email protected] or +972-2-535-9740 for support.
