No ETA No Entry. UK Border Rules Change in 12 Days

From 25 February 2026, two major border changes take effect. Visitors from the EU, United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan will need digital permission to enter the UK. And in a separate move, dual British nationals will be denied entry unless they present a British passport or pay £589 for a certificate of entitlement.

The Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme moves to full enforcement, and carriers who fail to check for valid ETAs face fines. Passengers without approval will be denied boarding.

This is not a visa. It is a pre-travel permit, similar to the US ESTA or the upcoming European ETIAS. The change affects millions of visitors who previously travelled to Britain with only a passport.

What Is Changing

The ETA scheme launched in phases during 2024 and 2025. Until now, some carriers enforced it voluntarily. From 25 February, it becomes mandatory for all non-visa nationals arriving by air, sea, or rail.

Key facts:

- Cost: £20 per person

- Processing time: Usually 72 hours, sometimes sooner

- Validity: Two years, or until passport expires

- Multiple entries allowed within the validity period

Children and infants need their own ETA. There are no family applications. Each traveller requires an individual account and payment.

Who Needs One

The requirement applies to passport holders from:

- European Union countries

- European Economic Area countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein)

- Switzerland

- United States and Canada

- Australia and New Zealand

- Japan, South Korea, and Singapore

- Several other non-European nations

British and Irish citizens are exempt. Holders of UK visas or settled status do not need an ETA. Dual nationals travelling on a British passport are also exempt.

The Dual National Trap

While the ETA affects visitors, a separate rule change targets British citizens themselves.

From 25 February 2026, dual British nationals will be denied boarding to the UK unless they present a valid British passport OR pay £589 for a "certificate of entitlement" proving their British citizenship.

This affects British citizens living abroad who hold second nationality. Many British-Italians, British-Spaniards, and British-Germans have never held a UK passport. They have travelled freely on their European passports, entering Britain as British citizens without documentation.

That route closes on 25 February. The options are stark:

**Apply for a British passport:** Standard processing takes 3-10 weeks. Fast-track costs £142 for one-week service. With 12 days until enforcement, this may not be possible.

**Certificate of entitlement:** A £589 document proving British citizenship that is stamped in a foreign passport. Current Home Office backlog is several weeks. The fee is non-refundable if the application fails.

**Travel on the non-British passport:** This triggers ETA requirements if the nationality needs one. But more critically, airlines may refuse boarding to anyone claiming to be British without documentation.

The Home Office confirmed the policy this week, stating "From 25 February 2026, all dual British citizens will need to present either a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement."

For dual nationals with imminent travel plans, the timing is impossible. The certificate backlog and passport processing times make compliance unattainable before the deadline.

How to Apply for ETA

Applications open on the official UK government website and via a mobile app. The process requires:

- A valid passport (biometric or chipped)

- A recent digital photograph

- Answers to basic security and travel history questions

- Payment by credit or debit card

Most applicants receive a decision within hours. Some cases take up to three working days. Travellers should apply at least one week before departure to avoid last-minute problems.

What Happens at Check-In

Airlines, Eurostar, and ferry operators must verify ETA status before allowing passengers to board. Their systems connect directly to UK Border Force databases. If the ETA is missing, expired, or linked to a different passport, the passenger cannot travel.

Carriers face fines for each passenger they transport without valid permission. This gives them strong incentive to enforce the rules strictly. Appeals at the departure gate will not succeed.

The Eurostar and Ferry Angle

Eurostar passengers previously passed through UK border controls at St Pancras or Paris Gare du Nord after boarding. The ETA requirement shifts this check to the departure station. Travellers without digital permission will be turned away before reaching the platform.

Ferry operators on routes to Dover, Hull, and Portsmouth face similar requirements. The ETA applies to all commercial passenger services, not just aviation.

What If You Are Already Booked

Anyone with travel plans for late February or beyond should apply now. The scheme is live and accepting applications. There is no grace period after 25 February. Travellers who arrive at check-in without an ETA will miss their trip.

Refunds depend on airline policies. Most budget carriers treat missing documentation as a passenger error, not grounds for compensation. Travel insurance may not cover costs arising from failure to obtain an ETA.

Why This Matters

The UK ETA brings Britain into line with the US, Canada, and soon the EU. Supporters argue it improves security and immigration control. Critics note the cost and bureaucracy, particularly for short business trips or family visits.

The dual national rule adds another layer of complexity. British citizens who have lived abroad for decades, who have built lives in Europe, suddenly face a £589 barrier to visiting family or returning home. The timing and cost feel punitive.

For travellers, the practical impact is simple. A passport is no longer enough. The £20 ETA fee and application step add friction to what was previously seamless travel. For dual nationals, the stakes are higher still. Airlines and Eurostar will enforce these rules strictly to protect themselves from fines.

The 25 February deadline is fixed. With twelve days remaining, anyone planning UK travel should check their documentation now.

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**Sources**

- [Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta), GOV.UK

- [ETA eligibility and requirements](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-list-of-nationalities-that-need-an-eta), Home Office

- [Eurostar ETA guidance](https://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-info/travel-planning/visa-and-entry-requirements), Eurostar

- [Dual nationals face UK entry ban without British passport](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/13/dual-nationals-denied-entry-to-uk-british-passport-border-control), The Guardian