Beginning 25 February 2026, airlines, ferry companies and rail operators will be legally obliged to verify that every Polish-passport holder boarding for the United Kingdom holds a valid Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The UK Home Office confirmed to carriers earlier this month that the grace period which followed last year’s soft-launch of the ETA app is over; anyone whose passport number is not linked to an approved ETA will be denied transport. The move completes the post-Brexit transition from free movement to managed entry for short-stay visitors. Polish nationals remain visa-exempt for trips of up to six months, but they must now obtain the €19 ETA—essentially a pre-travel security clearance—before departure. Carriers that carry non-compliant passengers face civil penalties of up to £10,000 per traveller, mirroring existing Advance Passenger Information sanctions. For corporate mobility managers the change introduces an additional compliance step for thousands of Polish executives who shuttle to the UK for board meetings, audits and client negotiations. HR teams are advising staff to download the ETA app and apply at least 72 hours before travel; most approvals arrive within minutes but complex cases can take three working days.
![UK to Strictly Enforce ETA Requirement for Polish Travellers From 25 February 2026]()
For travellers or companies that prefer a streamlined, outsourced solution, VisaHQ can handle the entire ETA process—from document review to electronic submission—through its Poland portal (https://www.visahq.com/poland/). The agency’s platform allows bulk uploads, real-time status tracking and expert support, helping businesses avoid costly carrier fines and employees bypass last-minute surprises.
Polish subsidiaries of British multinationals are updating travel policies to require proof of ETA alongside ticket bookings, and travel-management companies are integrating ETA status fields into their online booking tools. The stricter enforcement may also catch Polish expatriates resident elsewhere in the EU who transit the UK on long-haul itineraries. Although air-side transit visas are not normally required, passengers changing terminals or airports must pass UK border control and will therefore need an ETA. Frequent travellers can take comfort that the authorisation is multi-entry and remains valid for two years or until the passport expires. Looking ahead, the Home Office plans to expand mandatory ETAs to all visa-exempt nationalities by the end of 2026 before moving to fully digital eVisas for longer-term routes. Poland’s consular network in the UK has launched an information campaign in Polish and English, while Warsaw-based airlines LOT, Wizz Air and Ryanair have added pop-up reminders during online check-in. Failure to adjust processes could result in missed flights, cancelled meetings and tangible costs for businesses on both sides of the Channel.
For travellers or companies that prefer a streamlined, outsourced solution, VisaHQ can handle the entire ETA process—from document review to electronic submission—through its Poland portal (https://www.visahq.com/poland/). The agency’s platform allows bulk uploads, real-time status tracking and expert support, helping businesses avoid costly carrier fines and employees bypass last-minute surprises.
Polish subsidiaries of British multinationals are updating travel policies to require proof of ETA alongside ticket bookings, and travel-management companies are integrating ETA status fields into their online booking tools. The stricter enforcement may also catch Polish expatriates resident elsewhere in the EU who transit the UK on long-haul itineraries. Although air-side transit visas are not normally required, passengers changing terminals or airports must pass UK border control and will therefore need an ETA. Frequent travellers can take comfort that the authorisation is multi-entry and remains valid for two years or until the passport expires. Looking ahead, the Home Office plans to expand mandatory ETAs to all visa-exempt nationalities by the end of 2026 before moving to fully digital eVisas for longer-term routes. Poland’s consular network in the UK has launched an information campaign in Polish and English, while Warsaw-based airlines LOT, Wizz Air and Ryanair have added pop-up reminders during online check-in. Failure to adjust processes could result in missed flights, cancelled meetings and tangible costs for businesses on both sides of the Channel.
