18/01/2026
✈️ UK Travel Update for Dual Nationals 🇬🇧🇦🇺🇳🇿
Are you a dual national of the UK and Australia or New Zealand?
There are important changes coming on 25 February 2026 that you need to be aware of before travelling to the UK.
🛂 UK entry requirements
All travellers entering the UK must present ONE of the following: 🔹 A valid British passport
🔹 A Certificate of Entitlement
🔹 An approved ETA
🔔 What’s changing?
👉 From 25 February 2026, dual British citizens will NO LONGER be eligible for an ETA.
This means you MUST travel using: ✅ A valid British passport, or
✅ A Certificate of Entitlement
❌ Travelling on an Australian or New Zealand passport with an ETA will not be accepted and you may be denied boarding.
✋ Important
Airline check-in staff are legally required to confirm you hold one of these documents before allowing you to check in.
👶 Important update for CHILDREN
Many parents don’t realise that children may be British citizens by default (for example, if one parent is British).
⚠️ If your child is a British citizen, they cannot travel on an ETA.
This means: 🔹 British citizen children must travel on a British passport, or
🔹 Hold a Certificate of Entitlement
❌ An Australian or New Zealand passport with an ETA is not sufficient for British citizen children.
If you’re unsure of your child’s citizenship status, it’s important to check before booking flights.
✅ Your options as a dual national
1️⃣ Renew your British passport (approx £108 / ~$216 AUD)
2️⃣ Apply for a Certificate of Entitlement (approx £589 / ~$1,178 AUD)
3️⃣ Renounce British citizenship ⚠️ This is permanent and should be carefully considered
📌 Official guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-for-the-uk
https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/electronic-travel-authorisation/
🇬🇧✈️ Travelling to the UK and unsure how this affects you or your children?
Feel free to reach out — I’m happy to help you get organised before you go.
