Flying is becoming increasingly complicated with all the new biometric border control systems both in the UK and the European Union. Plus there are extra costs and potential fines involved. Now, British citizens who live abroad are being urged to check their passport validity ahead of major changes to UK border rules.
From February 25, 2026, the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system will become mandatory for all visitors who do not need a visa to travel to the UK. U.K.ABROAD, the leading overseas passport-renewal support service, warns that those with expired or soon-to-expire British passports could end up paying ETA fees unnecessarily.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), currently costs £16. This allows multiple trips to the UK for stays of up to six months within two years, or until the passport expires - whichever comes first. According to the Home Office, it is making improvements to deliver a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year.
The ETA requirement applies to travellers who enter the UK without a valid British passport. This means many British citizens abroad who rely on a foreign passport for travel, or who have let their British passport expire, will be treated as foreign visitors under the new system and must pay the ETA fee.
“British passport holders should not be paying for an ETA,” said a spokesperson for U.K.ABROAD. “But if your British passport has expired, or you’ve been travelling on another nationality’s passport, the system will classify you as a foreign traveller. Renewing your British passport now can help you avoid this cost entirely.” U.K.ABROAD reports rising concern among British expats in Australia, the United States, Canada, South Africa, Asia, and Europe who are only now realising that an expired British passport could result in ETA charges that UK citizens would not normally pay.
- Purpose: An ETA grants permission to travel to the UK, but not guaranteed entry. Border control checks still apply upon arrival.
- Validity: An approved ETA is valid for two years or until the holder's passport expires, whichever comes sooner. It allows for multiple visits of up to six months each for tourism, visiting family/friends, business, or short-term study.
- Cost: The official application fee is £16.
- Application Process: Applications are made online or via the official "UK ETA" app and typically processed within three working days, though many decisions are automatic and quicker.
- Exemptions: British and Irish citizens, and those with existing UK immigration status (like a valid UK visa or settled/pre-settled status), do not need an ETA.
- Nationals of most eligible countries needed an ETA from January 8, 2025.
- European nationals require an ETA for travel on or after April 2, 2025.
- The passport you plan to travel with.
- An email address.
- A credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay for the £16 fee.
- A photo of your face (taken during the application process).