From 25 February , citizens of 85 visa-exempt countries — including Spain, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and all other EU member states — will need to have an approved £20 ETA (or e-Visa) before they can board any transport to the UK. British and Irish citizens are exempt, as are travellers who already hold another type of British visa or an e-Visa linked to their passport.
Transport companies will be legally obliged to verify the ETA status of each passenger through a government API, in the same way that they currently validate passport details. Failure to comply with this rule could result in civil penalties of up to £50,000 per flight or ferry journey. Industry sources indicate that the tight deadline is forcing some operators to accelerate technological integrations that were planned for later in the year, while smaller ferry lines are urgently seeking external providers that can connect to the Home Office’s Border Control system.
Spain has a significant population of dual U.K.-Spanish citizens, as well as long-term British residents. For these travelers, the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements bring a unique challenge. This 2-year digital permit is now mandatory for all Spanish citizens traveling to the U.K., whether for business, leisure, or any other reason. However, this rule introduces a particularly tricky situation for dual U.K.-Spanish nationals.
British-Spanish dual nationals are being warned that if they travel to the U.K. on their Spanish passports, they will not be able to bypass the ETA system. Instead, they must apply for an ETA, which could mean paying the £20 fee. To avoid the fee and prevent potential issues at the border, dual nationals are advised to travel using their British passports. By doing so, they can automatically prove their right of abode in the U.K. and avoid the requirement for an ETA.
This will streamline their travel experience and allow them to bypass the additional step of applying for a digital permit. As the ETA system rolls out, dual nationals will need to be extra cautious and ensure they travel on the correct passport to avoid unnecessary delays or complications, according to Travel and Tour World.