From February 25, dual British citizens will no longer be able to enter the UK using a foreign passport alone. Those without a valid British passport must instead obtain a £589 Certificate of Entitlement or risk being refused boarding.
The change coincides with the wider rollout of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation system and has prompted concern among travellers who say they were given limited notice. Officials insist the requirement has been communicated for months and aligns with border policies in other countries.
The new rules apply to an estimated 1.2 million dual British nationals worldwide, including children. According to the Daily Express, dual citizens will now need to present either a valid British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement attached to their non-British passport when travelling to the UK.
Previously, many dual nationals were able to enter the country using their foreign passport without additional documentation. The policy forms part of broader border reforms linked to the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), a digital pre-travel clearance that becomes mandatory for many non-British visitors from the same date.
Dual Nationals Must Prove Right of Abode before Boarding
Under the updated guidance, British and Irish citizens are exempt from applying for an ETA. Yet dual nationals cannot rely on their non-British passport to travel. According to the Home Office, from February 25, 2026, all dual British citizens must present either a valid British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement when travelling to the UK. Without one, carriers may be unable to verify citizenship status, potentially leading to delays or refused boarding.
The Certificate of Entitlement carries a one-off fee of £589 and is affixed to a foreign passport as proof of the holder’s right of abode. A standard British passport application from overseas is significantly cheaper, though processing times may vary.
The government has stated that, at their discretion, airlines may accept an expired British passport as alternative documentation. Travellers who have previously held a British passport may also apply for an emergency travel document if urgent travel is required.
Despite these provisions, some passengers have expressed frustration. According to The Sun, dual nationals living abroad argue the changes leave insufficient time to secure new passports before planned trips. One traveller based in Brisbane described the situation as disruptive for those with existing bookings.
Confusion for Citizens by Descent as ETA Rules Tighten
The rule change has also highlighted complexities surrounding citizenship by descent. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, individuals with a British-born parent may automatically qualify as British citizens, even if they have never held a UK passport.
Travel agents in Australia report uncertainty among clients who successfully applied for an ETA online, unaware that their British citizenship status technically makes them ineligible for the scheme. British authorities have clarified that British citizens, including dual nationals, cannot apply for an ETA because they already possess the right of abode.
The ETA itself costs £16 and permits multiple visits of up to six months over a two-year period. While dual nationals are excluded, other eligible travellers must secure approval before boarding a flight, ferry or train to the UK. Airlines are legally required to verify ETA status prior to departure.
Government officials maintain that the introduction of ETAs and the updated passport requirements are part of a move towards a more streamlined and digital immigration system. According to official statements reported across multiple outlets, public information advising dual nationals to travel with appropriate documentation has been available since October 2024.
