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If you’re heading to the United Kingdom in 2026, there are new entry rules you’ll want to know about before you travel, especially if you hold dual citizenship or may be entitled to a UK passport through family.
From 25 February 2026, the UK will enforce stricter passport requirements for certain travellers, alongside the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.
From 25 February 2026, anyone considered a British citizen or Irish citizen will be expected to enter the UK using the correct passport.
That means if you are travelling on an Australian passport, but you also hold British or Irish citizenship, you won’t be able to rely on your Australian passport alone for travel to the UK.
Instead, you will need to travel with:
If you already hold a Certificate of Entitlement, this will be linked to new passports free of charge and will be recorded digitally rather than as a physical sticker.
Without the correct documents, airlines may not allow you to board your flight.
If you are travelling to the UK as a visitor and you are not a British or Irish citizen, you will need to apply for a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before you travel.
The ETA is a digital travel approval linked to your passport. It’s a simple process and usually only takes around 10 minutes to complete.
The easiest way to apply is by downloading the UK ETA app via the App Store or Google Play.
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If you are a dual citizen, you will need to travel using your British or Irish passport, even if you normally travel on your Australian passport.
Important: if you are classed as a British or Irish citizen, you will not be able to use an ETA on your Australian passport to enter the UK after 25 February 2026.
This is where many travellers may be surprised.
Even if you were born in Australia and have never lived in the UK, you may still be considered a British citizen by descent if one of your parents is British.
If you are recognised as a British citizen, the UK may require you to:
So if you have a British parent, it’s worth checking your citizenship status early, you may not be eligible to travel using only your Australian passport and an ETA.
If you’re unsure, we strongly recommend confirming this well in advance of travel to avoid issues at check-in.
British passport applications can take time, particularly during busy travel periods. If you think you may be eligible for British citizenship or already hold dual nationality, it’s best to organise your documentation early.
A little preparation now can save major stress later.
The information above is provided as general guidance only. Entry, passport and citizenship requirements are set by the UK Government and may change without notice. Travellers are responsible for confirming their individual eligibility and documentation requirements with the relevant government authorities prior to travel.
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