Major UK-Ireland Travel Change Takes Effect

The recent travel update is the full enforcement of the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which became mandatory on February 25, 2026. This digital permission to travel is now required for visitors from 85 countries who do not need a visa for short stays, including nationals from the US, Canada, Australia, and the European Union. The ETA is not a visa but a pre-travel clearance linked to a passenger's passport. It costs £16 per applicant and is valid for multiple entries to the UK over two years. Airlines, ferry operators, and train companies will deny boarding to those who require an ETA but do not have one, facing fines of up to £10,000 per passenger. British and Irish citizens are exempt from the new ETA requirement due to the long-standing Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements. However, legal residents of Ireland from other nationalities may need to show proof of residency to be exempt when travelling from within the CTA. While the core principles of the CTA for British and Irish citizens remain, airlines like Aer Lingus and Ryanair now mandate a valid passport or Irish passport card for all passengers on UK-Ireland routes. This marks the end of using other forms of photo ID, such as driving licences, for this travel. There are no new routine immigration controls on the land border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. However, the requirement for non-exempt individuals to hold an ETA applies regardless of their point of entry into the UK, including when crossing the land border. Dual British and Irish citizens are explicitly exempt from needing an ETA but face a significant change. They are now required to travel to the UK using either their valid British or Irish passport, as they are ineligible to apply for an ETA with another passport.