The United Kingdom is making changes to the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements for travellers. If you're planning travel to the UK these changes may impact you. Particularly if you're a dual citizen.
What's happening?
From 25 February 2026, to board a flight to the UK you will need one of the following:
- if you’re not a dual citizen
- an ETA
- a valid visa
- if you have dual citizenship with the UK
- a British or Irish passport
- a Certificate of Entitlement (CofE) attached to your Australian passport.
While travellers adjust to these rules, transport providers may accept an expired British or Irish passport as proof of dual citizenship.
The expired passport must meet certain criteria:
- It must have been issued in 1989 or later.
- Your personal details in the expired passport must match those in your current Australian passport.
Ask your transport provider if they will accept an expired passport as proof of citizenship before you arrive at the airport or dock. Be prepared for delays. You may need to go through extra checks when you arrive in the UK to confirm your citizenship.
Check if you need a UK ETA or visa.
How does this affect me?
Your travel won't be affected if:
- you’re not a dual citizen and you have an ETA or visa
- you have a British or Irish passport
- you have a valid CofE sticker in your Australian passport, or a digital CofE.
Dual citizens travelling to the UK from 25 February will need to present a British or Irish passport or CofE attached to your Australian passport to board your flight. Dual citizens can't travel to the UK using an ETA.
How do I know if I'm a dual citizen?
You might be a citizen if your parents were born in the UK or a British territory. It depends on the date you were born and where your parents are from.
British citizenship by descent is automatic if you meet the conditions. This means you don't need to apply for citizenship to be considered a citizen.
The UK Government has more on how to check if you're British.
What do I do now?
If you're a dual citizen and you want to travel to the UK, you must either:
- apply for a British passport - if you’re from Northern Ireland, you can apply for an Irish passport if you prefer
- apply for a Certificate of Entitlement, which lets you travel using your Australian passport.
If you've had a British or Irish passport before and need to travel urgently, you can apply for an emergency travel document.
You can also renounce your British citizenship if you don't want to be a dual citizen.
If you’re not a dual citizen, apply for an ETA or visa.
I still have questions
We can't give you advice for your individual circumstances.
If you need more information, one of these UK Government sources may help.
- ETA Factsheet
- Check if you need a UK ETA or visa
- Check if you're British
- UK dual citizenship
- Types of British nationality
- Apply for a Certificate of Entitlement
- Apply for a British passport or Irish passport
If these don't answer your questions, contact UK Visas and Immigration for help, or use one of the following:
- UK Passport Office number: 0300 222 0000
- General enquiries: Contact UK Visas and Immigration for help – GOV.UK
- ETA-specific support: UK ETA Webchat – Webchat: UK ETA support - GOV.UK
- Passport advice: Contact HM Passport Office for advice – GOV.UK
- GOV.UK Passport advice: From outside the UK: +44 (0)300 222 0000
Text relay: 18001 0300 222 0000