From February 25, 2026, citizens of 85 countries, including Poland, Germany, and Spain, must have a digital travel authorisation (ETA) to cross the UK border. The new requirement applies to tourists and those traveling for business or short-term study. The application fee is £10, and the lack of a valid document will result in carriers refusing boarding to planes or ferries.

Requirement to register before departure

Travelers without a valid ETA authorisation will not be allowed to board planes or ferries bound for the United Kingdom.

Fees and validity period

The application cost is £10, and the granted permit allows for multiple entries into the country over a period of two years.

Dual citizenship issue

UK citizens presenting a foreign passport must possess an ETA if they do not show a British identity document.

Exceptions to the new rules

The requirement does not apply to individuals with settled status (EUSS), Irish citizens, and holders of long-term British visas.

The United Kingdom has finalized a key stage in the digitization of its borders, introducing mandatory ETA for arrivals from European Union countries as of February 25. This system changes the previous travel rules, imposing on passengers the obligation to obtain approval before starting their journey. The authorisation is digitally linked to the passport and remains valid for two years, unless the identity document expires earlier. The decision to grant approval is usually made within three working days, although the British Home Office recommends submitting applications in advance. The introduction of the new regulations raises particular concerns among dual nationals. British citizens who use a passport from another country, e.g., a Polish one, upon entry and do not have a British document with them, are required to possess an ETA or a valid visa. Air carriers have been strictly obligated to verify these entitlements. This situation could lead to chaos at airports if travelers fail to complete the formalities. The new rules also include transit passengers, meaning that even a short layover at Heathrow Airport requires paying the fee and undergoing the verification procedure. Since leaving the European Union in 2021, the United Kingdom has been systematically tightening control over the movement of people. The implementation of the ETA system is modeled on solutions used by the USA, Canada, and Australia, and aims to secure borders post-Brexit and conduct more detailed profiling of individuals arriving in the country. Despite the widespread nature of the new obligation, some exceptions are provided. The ETA system does not apply to individuals with settled status in the UK under the EUSS, Irish citizens (due to the Common Travel Area), and holders of British work or student visas. Experts emphasize that for the average tourist from Poland, the cost of £10 (approximately 52 zloty) is not a financial barrier but an additional administrative hurdle to remember when planning a trip. 10 GBP — is the cost of obtaining digital authorisation to enter the UK „This is a major milestone in our plan to transform the border, making it more secure and modern for every traveller.” — British Minister for Migration and Citizenship

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