Airlines may deny you boarding. A new law comes into force today

From February 25, 2025, Poles without an electronic travel authorization to the UK (ETA) will have problems boarding the plane. The new entry rules in force from April 2, 2025 will therefore become fully binding. Until now, tourists were subject to the so-called a “grace period” during which there were no consequences for not having an ETA. The document is valid for two years and the cost of obtaining it is 16 British pounds.

You won’t be able to enter the UK without an ETA

From Wednesday 25 February 2026, tourists traveling to the UK must ensure they have a valid Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Even though the obligation to have this document was introduced in April last year, so far the system has operated in a transitional phase. Tourists without the required permit did not face any consequences at the border in practice.

Now everything will change. Foreign travelers who are exempt from the visa requirement in the UK (including Polish citizens) but do not have an approved ETA will not be able to board a plane, train or ferry to the UK.

As Londonek.net writes, carriers will first be obliged to check our authorization to travel to the UK. “You will need to have an ETA no later than 3 days before the planned trip – otherwise the airlines may refuse to board you,” we read.

Transit travel

British airports are a common choice for Poles traveling further overseas – for example to the United States or Latin American countries. Different rules may apply to tourists who are only in transit in the UK.

Thanks to the transit zones at Heathrow and Manchester airports, tourists do not need an ETA unless they cross the UK border (i.e. leave the transit zone). In the case of other airports without a transit zone (e.g. Luton or Stansted), tourists flying with a connecting flight still need to have an ETA.

An ETA application must be submitted electronically via the official government UK ETA application. The cost of obtaining the document has not changed and is still GBP 16. After authorization, the permit will be assigned to our passport.