The United Kingdom confirmed that its new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system will become mandatory on 25 February 2026 for all visa-exempt nationals—including Polish tourists and business visitors—yet an overlooked clause is causing confusion among Poles who also hold British passports. 1. The rule • ETA replaces the historic visa-free stamp; travellers must apply via mobile app, pay £16 (rising to £20 later this year) and receive a QR-code valid for two years. • Dual nationals **must** enter on their British passport or hold a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode; an ETA will **not** be accepted in lieu of those documents. 2. Why this matters for Mobility managers • Thousands of Polish-born professionals naturalised in the UK after Brexit but routinely use a Polish passport to avoid carrying two documents. From 25 February they risk being turned away at e-gates. • Employers sending staff to UK subsidiaries should audit citizenship status, update traveller profiles in HRIS systems and budget extra time for ETA processing (minimum 72 hours). • Polish students on Erasmus+ exchanges must also comply if their courses include UK fieldwork. 3. Practical guidance • Check that the passport number entered in the ETA app matches the document used to board; mismatches auto-trigger airline “no-fly” instructions. • Holders of UK Settled or Pre-Settled Status linked to a Polish passport are exempt from ETA but must still present the same passport registered in their online EU Settlement Scheme account. 4. Longer-term outlook The Home Office plans to roll ETA into a full Digital Passenger Record by 2028, paving the way for frictionless “border-by-consent” exits. Polish mobility teamsshould prepare for similar digital pre-clearance schemes across other Five-Eyes countries.
Source: Fakt
