From February 25, 2026, citizens of the European Union and 84 other countries must possess a digital travel authorization to enter the United Kingdom. The new ETA system, costing £10 (approximately €19), replaces the previous visa-free entry for tourists. The changes affect millions of passengers, including dual nationals, who must now strictly adhere to the new rules set by the UK Home Office.

Mandatory Fee and Application

Every traveler from the EU must pay £10 and obtain digital authorization before arriving in the United Kingdom.

Risks for Dual Nationals

Individuals with dual citizenship must present a British passport or possess an ETA on their foreign document.

Airline Responsibility

Carriers are obligated to check the validity of ETA before allowing passengers to board, under threat of penalties.

The British government has officially launched the full operational status of the ETA system, marking the definitive end of the era of free travel for EU citizens to the British Isles. The new regulations require every tourist to submit an online application and pay a fee of £10 before traveling. The authorization is issued for two years and allows for multiple border crossings for tourism, family, or business purposes for stays of up to six months. Failure to have an active status in the system will result in an automatic denial of boarding for flights or ferries, as the responsibility for document verification has been shifted to carriers. After leaving the European Union, the United Kingdom is striving for the full digitalization of its borders. The introduction of ETA is part of a broader strategy aimed at tightening the immigration system and obtaining precise data on individuals crossing the country's borders, who were previously not subject to visa registration. Particular controversy surrounds the situation of individuals holding dual citizenship. The Home Office has issued a warning that British citizens living abroad who do not hold a British passport may be turned back at the border. If they attempt to travel on the passport of their other country (e.g., Polish) without a purchased ETA authorization, the check-in systems will block their travel. The ministry emphasizes that the right of residence is not equivalent to the right of entry without an appropriate identity document recognized by the digital systems. Experts predict that in the first weeks of the regulations being in force, incidents with passengers unaware of the new requirements may occur at airports such as Heathrow. 10 funtów — is the fee for an ETA application An exception to the new regulations remains for Irish citizens, stemming from traditional agreements on the Common Travel Area (CTA). The system also does not apply to individuals holding settled status (settled status), but they must ensure their digital immigration account is linked to a current identity document. For the aviation industry, the new regulations mean additional administrative burdens and the risk of high fines for transporting individuals without a valid permit. „This is a landmark moment for our borders. ETA will strengthen our security, giving us for the first time an accurate picture of everyone travelling to the UK.” — Seema Malhotra

Mentioned People

  • Seema Malhotra — British Minister for Immigration and Citizenship responsible for implementing ETA.