Britons in France urged to ensure UK passports valid as tougher ETA rules approach

Tougher rules for the UK’s ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) visa-free entry scheme means that from February 25, 2026, all eligible travellers will be required to prove they have obtained the document before travelling. 

This includes Britons with dual nationality but who do not have a valid UK passport and French national spouses of Britons who live abroad.

Authorities have so far been lenient towards travellers from some countries such as the US and France who did not obtain the document, however this is set to end.

British dual nationals will be obliged to show a valid UK passport (or a certificate of entitlement to live in the UK) or will be required to have ETA authorisation for their non-UK passport. If they cannot provide any of these, they will be unable to travel. 

It means it is highly advisable for all Britons abroad to ensure they have a valid UK passport, even if not intending to use it, in case they have to travel back in an emergency.

Introduced in 2024 for citizens of certain Middle Eastern countries and then expanded to include all those who do not require a visa to visit the UK by April 2025, the ETA is similar to the US Esta or the EU’s incoming Etias systems. 

Travellers to the UK who are not British or Irish citizens, or who do not otherwise hold a valid working/travel visa - visitors from some countries require a mandatory visa - need to obtain an ETA to travel. 

It applies to Americans, Canadians, French and other EU citizens, Australians, and all those who previously benefited from visa-free tourist access to the UK.

Since the launch of the system, the UK has been fairly tolerant, allowing for a transition period where visitors were told to obtain the document but rules were not heavily enforced. 

“While ETA was being rolled out, it was not strictly enforced, to give visitors ample time to adjust to the new requirement,” said the UK in a press conference announcing the incoming rules.

From February 25, 2026 however, it will be mandatory for all travellers required to obtain an ETA to have one to enter the UK. 

“Carriers will be checking people before they travel,” to ensure they will be accepted at the UK border, the government said. 

Those who do not hold a valid document to enter the UK will be denied boarding. 

The ETA is a digital scheme, so the information is stored on passports’ microchips. Holders do not require physical confirmation (such as a paper form) that they hold an ETA.

Apart from this stricter enforcement, other rules are set to remain the same. 

It costs £16 to obtain the ETA, which you apply for online through the official government site or the ‘UK ETA’ smartphone app.

It is recommended to apply at least three working days before travelling as, although the vast majority of visas are processed within this time, there are a small number of cases where further review is required. 

Holders of an ETA can travel to the UK for up to six months at a time across the following two years (or until their passport expires), for tourist purposes.

You can read more about the ETA system here.