Polish citizens living in the UK will not need ETIAS travel authorisation, even if they also hold British or another nationality. However, Poland’s diplomatic mission in the UK is reminding travellers to check that their Polish documents are valid before travelling to Poland. A second passport does not replace a Polish document when dealing with the Polish authorities.
In a statement published on 7 October 2026, the mission says the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, known as ETIAS, is planned to launch in 2027. It does not give an exact start date. This is an announcement about a future system, not confirmation that it has come into effect.
A second nationality does not mean you need ETIAS
ETIAS is intended to cover citizens of countries outside the European Union who are exempt from visa requirements and travel to countries covered by the system. According to the statement, this means 30 European countries: those in the Schengen area and Cyprus. The authorisation will be linked to a passport and remain valid for three years or until that passport expires, whichever comes first. Travellers subject to the requirement will need a new authorisation if they replace their passport.
Polish citizens do not need this authorisation, including those who hold a second nationality. For Polish families in the UK, the most important practical issue therefore remains the documents they travel with. The mission reminds travellers that they should carry a valid Polish travel document to exercise the rights arising from Polish citizenship.
People with Polish and another nationality are treated solely as Polish citizens by the Polish authorities and should use Polish documents when dealing with them. If Polish citizenship is established during a border check and the traveller does not have a valid Polish travel document, difficulties may arise, including problems leaving Poland. The statement warns of this possibility; it does not mean that every such case will necessarily prevent someone from travelling. Nor is this a new requirement introduced by ETIAS: it is a reminder of the rules applying to Polish citizens.
Check children’s documents too
The reminder also applies to children with Polish citizenship who were born and live abroad and hold a second passport. Before a family trip, it is therefore worth checking not only your own Polish passport but also your children’s documents.
According to the statement, before applying for a first Polish passport for a child born abroad, the foreign birth certificate must be transcribed — entered into Poland’s civil registration system. If the child does not have a PESEL number, Poland’s personal identification number, one will be assigned as part of the passport procedure. The mission recommends starting the process of obtaining a new document well in advance; passport appointments at the consulate should be booked through the e-Konsulat system.
ETIAS concerns travel to countries covered by that system, not permission to enter the United Kingdom. The requirements for travelling to the UK are a separate matter, covered in our guide Travelling to the UK: Entry Requirements.
