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I have read the suggested procedure for dual nationals residing in Italy (purchase ticket using Italian passport/exit Italy using Italian passport/enter UK using UK passport… on return exit UK using Italian passport/enter Italy using Italian passport) and agree this was the best way to deal with 90/180 rule as exit/ entrance from/to country of residence is on Italian document.

However, post 2 April 2025 Italian passports will require an ETA for travel to UK while this is not required for UK passport holders. My question is: who will check possession of ETA…if, as I believe it will be aircraft gate staff..they will see an Italian passport and demand ETA (unsure in what format ETA is supplied..in printed format/a QR code saved on electronic devices?) notwithstanding possession of UK passport.

In the end I am wondering if the quickest, easiest method would be to get the ETA on my Italian passport and use that exclusively (no offence but in my experience often aircraft gate staff are not up to speed and very rigid with their interpretation of the rules leading to denied boarding)? Any input gratefully received as 2 April is not far off.

DavidRecallsMonica
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Mirella
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1 Answers1

25

Your current suggested procedure is not correct, you are conflating what you present to immigration authorities and to the airline.

  • You always show the passport of the country you are in to the immigration authorities
  • You always show the passport of the destination country to the airline.

So:

  • Italy -> UK

    • Booking, check-in, gate: use UK passport (so no need for an ETA)
    • Passport control when exiting Italy: use Italian passport (no stamp)
    • Passport control when entering the UK: use UK passport (no ETA required)

  • UK -> Italy

    • Check-in, gate: use Italian passport
    • No passport control when exiting the UK
    • Passport control when entering Italy: use Italian passport (no stamp)

This is valid today and will still be valid after ETAs become necessary for Italian citizens.

Since you are a UK citizen, you don't need an ETA, and should not even be able to get one. You must have a valid passport of each country, though.

jcaron
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