The £10 Mistake That Could Ruin Your UK Trip. ETA Enforcement Begins 25 February

Starting 25 February 2026, the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme enters full enforcement. If you are planning to visit the UK and you do not hold British or Irish citizenship, you will need an ETA before you board your flight, train, or ferry.

The scheme has been in a soft launch since late 2024, but the grace period ends this month. Here is what the change means for travellers, and why some dual citizens face a particularly nasty surprise.

What Is Changing on 25 February

The ETA is a digital permission to travel, similar to the US ESTA or the EU's upcoming ETIAS. It costs £10, lasts for two years (or until your passport expires), and allows multiple entries.

From 25 February, carriers will be required to check that non-British, non-Irish passengers have a valid ETA before allowing them to travel. No ETA means no boarding. The government has confirmed that airlines, Eurostar, and ferry operators will enforce this at the point of departure.

Who Needs an ETA

You need an ETA if you are a national of any country that does not currently require a visa for short UK visits. This includes citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and all EU countries.

British citizens and Irish citizens are exempt. If you hold a British passport, you do not need an ETA. If you hold an Irish passport, you do not need an ETA. This is where things get complicated for dual nationals.

The Dual Citizenship Trap

Dual citizens who hold British citizenship alongside another nationality face a critical rule change that has not been widely publicised.

From 25 February 2026, dual British citizens will no longer be able to enter the UK using their non-British passport with an ETA. If you are an Australian-British dual citizen, a Canadian-British dual citizen, or hold any other combination involving British nationality, you must enter the UK on your British passport or with a Certificate of Entitlement.

Attempting to travel on your foreign passport with an ETA will not work. Airlines have been warned they may deny boarding to dual citizens who try to use their non-British passport after this date.

This is a significant tightening of the rules. Previously, dual citizens could choose whichever passport was most convenient. Now, British passport holders must use that document to enter the UK.

How to Apply

Applications are made through the official UK ETA app or at the gov.uk website. You will need:

- A valid passport from an eligible country

- A digital photo of yourself

- Answers to a few security questions

- Payment of the £10 fee

Most applications are processed within hours, though the official guidance suggests allowing up to three days. Do not leave this until the night before your flight.

What Happens If You Forget

If you arrive at the airport without an ETA, you will not be allowed to board. This is not a negotiable airport surcharge. It is a hard requirement. The £10 ETA fee is trivial compared to the cost of rebooking a missed flight.

For dual citizens who have been travelling on their Australian, Canadian, or other non-British passports, the risk is higher. If you do not have your British passport with you, or it has expired, you will be treated as a foreign national without valid entry permission.

The Bigger Picture

The ETA scheme is part of a broader UK border modernisation programme. The much-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) for EU arrivals and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) are also expected to launch later this year. Travel between the UK and Europe is becoming more bureaucratic for everyone except British and Irish passport holders.

If you are visiting the UK this spring, check your passport situation now. Dual citizens, dig out that British passport and check the expiry date. The £10 ETA mistake could cost you far more than money if you get caught out by the new dual citizenship rules.

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**Sources:**

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

- [House of Commons Library briefing](https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9863/)

- [Majorca Daily Bulletin](https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com)