How are uk passport rules dual citizenship changing for British travellers?
From 25 February 2026, British nationals who also hold another nationality will face new documentation requirements when returning to the UK. The overhaul is designed to separate British citizens from foreign nationals at the border, but many dual nationals say the timing and costs have left them unprepared and anxious about travel plans.
What changes take effect on 25 February 2026?
Under the new regime, a British dual national who travels on a non‑UK passport will no longer be able to rely on that passport alone to re‑enter the UK. Instead they must present either a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement attached to their other passport. Carriers are required to check documentation before boarding and may face penalties for transporting passengers who lack the right to enter the UK.
These changes coincide with the wider roll‑out of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for non‑visa visitors. Dual nationals are excluded from applying for an ETA and must meet the passport-or-certificate rule instead. Irish passport holders are exempt from this change; other EU citizens with UK nationality will be affected.
Who is affected and what choices do travellers have?
Many people with dual nationality have never applied for a UK passport or a certificate of entitlement. Neither document is issued automatically on naturalisation or registration, and both take several weeks to obtain. A standard adult UK passport costs around £100, while a certificate of entitlement carries a substantially higher fee of about £589. Applying for either at short notice may be impractical for those with imminent travel.
The Home Office has said that carriers may, at their own discretion, accept an expired UK passport as evidence of British nationality alongside a valid foreign passport. An emergency travel document is also an option for those who need urgent travel, though emergency documents have their own eligibility rules and timeframes. Travellers who have recently sent an expired UK passport with a new application may not be able to rely on it while it is in official hands.
Border officers will continue to assess suitability to enter on arrival and can carry out additional checks where necessary, but the pre‑departure check by airlines, trains and ferries is the primary enforcement point under the new rules. That has sparked concern from people who fear being turned away before boarding or stranded abroad after long trips.
Practical problems and political reaction
The changes have prompted calls for a grace period to give affected people time to secure the required documents. Critics point to real‑world examples: a British‑Latvian dual national named Jelena says she only learned of the new rules recently and could face being refused return after a planned long holiday in South America. Others include children born overseas who hold only their foreign passport in addition to British citizenship.
Officials argue the reform modernises border checks and brings the UK into line with practices used by other countries. Still, the combination of fees, processing delays and the timing of the announcement has left many dual nationals scrambling. Practical advice for those affected is to check passport status now, consider applying for a UK passport if eligible, explore whether an expired UK passport can be carried with a valid foreign passport for imminent travel, and factor in processing times when planning journeys.
For travellers with urgent needs, emergency travel documents remain an option, but they are not a substitute for the longer‑term fixes many will need. With the new rules going live on 25 February 2026 (ET), affected dual nationals should act promptly to avoid disruption to travel plans and family emergencies.
