uk passport rules dual citizenship: Lib Dems demand grace period as changes loom on 25 February 2026 (ET)
British dual nationals who do not hold an up-to-date UK passport face the real prospect of being denied entry to the country unless they obtain new paperwork before 25 February 2026 (ET). Liberal Democrats are pressing for a temporary grace period, saying the change was poorly communicated and risks leaving people stranded abroad during family emergencies and once-in-a-lifetime trips.
What is changing and who will be affected
From 25 February 2026 (ET), dual nationals returning to the UK will generally need to present either a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement attached to their foreign passport when boarding flights, ferries or trains. The move is part of a wider reform that also introduces an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visa-exempt visitors — a system dual nationals cannot use as an alternative.
For many, the practical implications are immediate. British passports take several weeks to process and cost around £100 for adults. The certificate of entitlement is substantially more expensive, with fees cited around £589. The ETA, which is being rolled out as part of the reform, carries a fee of £16 for now and is expected to rise to £20 in future. Dual nationals who have previously travelled on their non-UK passports without issue risk being stopped by carriers enforcing the new documentation checks ahead of departure.
Immediate impact: stranded travellers and rushed returns
There are mounting accounts of people scrambling to get back before the deadline. Some have brought flights forward to avoid being refused boarding; others are considering cutting short honeymoons or cancelling trips to attend funerals and hospital bedside visits. MPs say the lack of advance notice has left many in distressing circumstances, unable to visit sick relatives or attend key family events.
Campaigners and affected travellers describe long waits and significant costs to obtain the necessary documents. One man who regularly travelled on his other nationality said he had entered and left the UK dozens of times while contributing to the tax system, and now faces being turned away without a British passport. Lawyers working on immigration matters expect frontline staff to apply pragmatism in the initial days to avoid major disruption at busy ports and airports, but they warn that carriers face penalties if they do not check documentation and could be held liable for non-compliance.
Political reaction and next steps
The Liberal Democrats, led in this area by their shadow immigration minister, argue an immediate, short-term grace period is essential while a longer-term, affordable alternative is developed. "Whilst they sort out the chaos, the government should allow a grace period, " the MP said, adding that many dual nationals are in "heartbreaking circumstances" and need a low-cost option.
Immigration lawyers have urged a sensible, operational approach at borders, suggesting that a blanket refusal of entry for British nationals in the coming weeks would be counterproductive. One lawyer noted an expectation of pragmatic border handling to avoid major delays, while another highlighted the problem of carrier liability and fines that put airlines and ferry operators in a difficult position.
Meanwhile, there are signals that at least one major carrier may balk at enforcing the new checks strictly, creating the potential for inconsistent practice across the travel sector. The immediate focus for ministers and officials will be swift clarification and guidance for travellers, carriers and frontline immigration staff — alongside any political pressure to introduce a temporary concession to ease the transition.
