Immigration

New UK ETA scheme leaves dual nationals in limbo

EU and Swiss travellers now need UK travel authorisation, but British citizens, dual nationals without valid British passports, face confusion, delays and rising costs proving exemption from the new UK entry rules.

TODAY

Apr 8, 2025 — 3 min read

What you need to know

🔹 EU, EEA, and Swiss travellers now need an ETA to visit the UK — excluding Irish citizens.

🔹 ETA costs £10, rising to £16, and should be applied for in advance.

🔹 Dual UK-EU nationals without a British passport, however, face complex, costly entry options.

🔹 Settled or Pre-Settled Status holders are exempt — documents must be digitally linked.

S ince 2 April 2025, the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement officially extends to European Union, European Economic Area, and Swiss citizens — excluding Irish nationals. This move adds to a growing list of countries whose citizens must obtain a digital entry clearance to visit Britain, following previous rollouts to Gulf states and Anglophone allies like the United States and Australia.

The process appears simple: pay £10 (€12) via the UK government’s mobile app or website, answer a few suitability questions, and you’re digitally cleared to enter the country — no paperwork required. The fee rises to £16 (€19) from 9 April. Travellers are advised to apply three working days before departure.

Lack of clarity for dual nationals

However, clarity is in short supply for British citizens with dual nationality.

Though UK nationals should be exempt from needing an ETA, complications have surfaced for those lacking a valid British passport. Many dual nationals hold only an EU passport due to expiry, loss, or never having applied for a British one, and the ETA form doesn’t allow them to declare British citizenship.

// CREDIT: Europeans TODAY

When Euronews queried the Home Office, an ETA advisor said: “If you are a dual citizen with British/Irish citizenship, you do not need an ETA.” However, proving this exemption requires a valid British or Irish passport, or a passport with a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode in the UK. If you don’t have any of these documents, the advisor responded, “You either need to apply for a British passport or a certificate of entitlement”.

Without either, the alternative is costly and slow. A UK passport renewal from abroad costs £101 (€123), while a certificate of entitlement is priced at £550 (€658), both taking weeks to process.

What about EU citizens and non-EU citizens living in the UK with Settled Status or Pre-Settled Status?

Travellers holding settled or pre-settled status under the UK’s EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) do not need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The exemption applies because EUSS status is recognised as valid UK immigration permission.

According to the Home Office, “EUSS status counts as valid immigration permission.” The official ETA guidance explains, “You do not need an ETA if: you have a visa; you have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode),” meaning no further authorisation is needed for travel.

How do airlines check the travellers’ entry clearance?

Airlines and other carriers will confirm travellers’ right to enter the UK by checking that their passport or national identity card is digitally linked to their UK immigration record.

This process ensures EU travellers with status continue to enjoy streamlined access, provided their documents are correctly connected to their digital status.

The new rules are reshaping travel from Europe to the UK, but for those British travellers who are dual nationals, the border is now unfortunately clouded by uncertainty and expense.