The year 2026 is set to bring a significant wave of new legislation that will impact daily life across the United Kingdom. From changes to household waste collection and European travel to stronger workplace rights and a crackdown on benefit fraud, Britons need to prepare for a series of important updates.
Travel and Border Changes
Major adjustments are coming for UK travellers heading to Europe. The new Entry Exit System (EES) is being rolled out, requiring non-EU citizens to register fingerprints and a photograph at the border. This applies to Schengen area countries but not Ireland or Cyprus. More notably, from late 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will launch, introducing a fee of around £17 for adults under 70. This authorisation, valid for three years, must be obtained online before travel.
Meanwhile, the UK is strengthening its own borders. From February 25, 2026, visitors from visa-exempt countries like the USA and Canada will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter, costing £16, as part of the move towards a digitised immigration system.
Household and Consumer Regulations
In a bid to standardise recycling, England will introduce 'Simpler Recycling' rules from March 31, 2026. Councils will be required to collect four separate waste streams: food and garden waste; paper and cardboard; other dry recyclables like glass and plastic; and general non-recyclable waste. This means many households will need additional bins.
Significant consumer protections are also arriving. A ban on junk food advertising on TV before the 9pm watershed and online at any time comes into force from January 2026, targeting products high in fat, sugar, or salt. Furthermore, the government plans to prohibit the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s, with legislation potentially effective in 2026.
Employment, Benefits, and Housing Reforms
Workers will see enhanced rights under the new Employment Rights Act, with measures phasing in from April 2026. These include statutory sick pay from the first day of work and stronger protections against 'fire and rehire' tactics from October. The National Living Wage will rise to £12.71 per hour in April 2026.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to gain substantial new powers to tackle benefit fraud from 2026. These will allow for the direct recovery of debts from bank accounts and the ability to apply for court orders to suspend the driving licences of those owing over £1,000.
For renters, a major overhaul begins on May 1, 2026. Section 21 'no-fault' evictions will be abolished, fixed-term contracts will end in favour of rolling tenancies, and landlords will be restricted to one rent increase per year. There are also plans to extend Awaab's Law, which mandates swift action on hazards like mould, to the private rental sector.
Further Changes on the Horizon
Other notable reforms include an end to tax relief for working from home expenses from April 2026, and a new law to outlaw the resale of event tickets above face value. Looking further ahead, a ban on plastic-containing wet wipes is scheduled for 2027, and Martyn's Law, requiring venues to prepare for terror threats, will be enforced from 2027.
This sweeping legislative agenda aims to reshape areas from environmental policy and consumer health to employment law and border security, marking 2026 as a pivotal year for regulatory change in the UK.
