The UK first introduced its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in 2023, gradually rolling it out so that by April 2025 it was compulsory for anyone entering the UK - with the exception of those travelling on a UK or Irish passport.
However a tolerance period had been in place, which ends on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026.
The UK government warns that from that date, people who don't have the ETA if required will be denied entry, or denied boarding if travelling by plane.
Also from this date, British dual nationals will be required to use their UK passport in order to enter the UK, or obtain the costly 'Certificate of Entitlement' in advance of their trip (more on dual nationals below).
The UK government says: "From 25 February 2026, visitors will not be able to travel to the UK without advance permission.
"This is a significant step towards digitising the immigration system and paves the way for a contactless UK border in the future.
"Enforcing will mean that everyone who wants to come to the UK must have digital permission through either an ETA or an eVisa. Carriers will be checking people before they travel."
What is ETA?
The Electronic Travel Authorisation is, technically, not a visa, rather it is a visa waiver.
However its introduction ends paperwork-free travel to the UK for people from countries where a visa is not required for a short stay - including Americans, Canadian, Australians and citizens of all EU/EEA countries.
Only people who are travelling on a valid UK or Irish passport are exempt from the new requirement. People who have a British long-stay visa or residency status should show that at the border instead.
There is no exemption for EU nationals who are married to a Brit.
Travellers must apply for the ETA in advance of travel, and it can only be obtained online - find full instructions on how to get one HERE.
An ETA, at a cost of £16 (around €18), must be obtained for each traveller, including children.
It is advised to apply for it at least three days in advance of travel, although the UK government says that "most applications are processed in minutes". Once obtained, it is valid for two years - unless you get a new passport during that period.
Be careful that you are on the correct Gov.uk website or app, there are a lot of scammers out there, as well as companies that will charge you far in excess of the £16 fee to get the ETA for you.
READ ALSO: How to avoid ETA scams for France-UK travel✎
What about dual nationals?
Unfortunately, when it comes to ETA the advice for British dual nationals, and Irish dual nationals for that matter, has been confusing and contradictory.
The most recent advice from the UK government is that dual nationals must use their UK passport in order to enter the UK. Dual British-Irish nationals can use either passport.
Those who don't have a UK passport are in effect forced to get one - including those who have never had a UK passport, such as children born to Brits living abroad who have only ever had the passport of the country of their residence, but are are entitled to British citizenship through their British parent.
This week the UK government has said that airlines "may, at their discretion" accept an expired UK passport, along with a current passport of another nationality, as proof of UK citizenship.
Getting or renewing a UK passport from outside the UK now costs £108, while a Certificate of Entitlement costs an eye-watering £550. Both processes take several weeks and in the case of a Certificate of Entitlement can involve an in-person visit to a visa processing centre.
Find the full details for dual nationals HERE.
Ben McPartland, Editor, The Local Europe
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