Essential Guide to Travelling to the UK: ETAs and Dual Citizenship Explained (2026)

Traveling to the UK: Understanding ETAs and Dual Citizenship

Last updated: Tuesday, 10/02/2026

The United Kingdom is currently implementing significant changes to its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which will affect how travelers, especially dual citizens, can enter the country. If you are planning a trip to the UK, it’s essential to be aware of these updates as they could directly impact your travel plans.

What’s Changing?

Starting from February 25, 2026, all passengers intending to board a flight to the UK must present specific documentation based on their citizenship status:

For those who are not dual citizens:
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- A valid ETA
- Or an appropriate visa
For individuals with dual citizenship involving the UK:
- A current British or Irish passport
- Or a Certificate of Entitlement (CofE) that is attached to your Australian passport.

To determine whether you need an ETA or a visa, you can check the official UK government website here.

How Will This Affect Your Travel Plans?

If you are in any of the following situations, your travel to the UK remains unaffected:

You are not a dual citizen and possess either a valid ETA or visa.
You hold dual citizenship and are arriving in the UK before February 25 using your Australian passport accompanied by an ETA or visa.
You have a valid British or Irish passport.
You possess a valid CofE sticker in your Australian passport or have a digital version of the CofE.

However, if you are a dual citizen traveling to the UK on or after February 25, you will need to show either a valid British or Irish passport, or the CofE linked to your Australian passport when boarding your flight. Importantly, dual citizens cannot use an ETA for entry into the UK.

Am I a Dual Citizen?

You may qualify as a dual citizen if your parents were born in the UK or in one of its territories. Your eligibility can depend on your birth date and your parents’ nationality.

British citizenship acquired through descent is automatic for eligible individuals, meaning you don’t need to formally apply to be recognized as a citizen.

For further details regarding the types of British nationality, visit the UK Government's resources here, and to verify if you are British, check this link.

What Steps Should I Take Now?

If you find yourself classified as a dual citizen and wish to travel to the UK, you have a few options:

Apply for a British passport here; if you reside in Northern Ireland, you might prefer to apply for an Irish passport here.
Alternatively, you can apply for a Certificate of Entitlement here, which allows you to travel using your Australian passport.

If you wish to no longer hold dual citizenship, you also have the option to renounce your British citizenship here.

For those who are not dual citizens, make sure to proceed with applying for an ETA or visa here.

I Still Have Questions

While we’re unable to provide personalized advice for individual circumstances, you can find more information through various UK Government sources:

Should you have further inquiries, reaching out to UK Visas and Immigration for assistance would be advisable here.