UK travel rules change
New British entry requirements are being enforced – and dual citizens need to be especially careful.
Australians planning to visit the United Kingdom should prepare for major changes that will come into effect on 25 February 2026.
From that date, the UK will enforce a strict “No Permission, No Travel” rule, meaning that anyone boarding a flight, ferry, or train to Britain must have the correct documentation before departure.
For most Australians, this will mean applying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which costs £16 (about $32), lasts for two years, and allows multiple visits of up to six months. You can apply here.
If you are travelling on an Australian passport and don’t have an ETA or an appropriate visa, airlines and other carriers will refuse boarding.
However, there is an important exception. If you are a British or Irish citizen, you don’t need an ETA – but you must travel on your UK or Irish passport or carry a Certificate of Entitlement of British citizenship with your Australian passport.
Many Australians qualify for British citizenship without realising it. If you have British ancestry, now is the time to check your status and, if you are eligible, apply for a British passport or Certificate of Entitlement.
These changes are part of the UK’s broader effort to tighten border security and streamline entry processes.
For Australians with dual citizenship, the new rules make holding British documentation more than a convenience that allows you to whiz through immigration. Those documents are now essential. Without them, whatever your legal immigration status, airlines and other transport operators are obliged to turn you away.
Don’t leave it to chance; check your eligibility and get your paperwork in order well before your travel date to avoid an unpleasant surprise at the airport.
Related reading: UK Government, 9News, Smartraveller
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