UK Passport rules are changing for Dual British Nationals
Effective from 25 February 2026, British citizens who are also citizens of another country will need to comply with new passport rules when entering the UK.
At border control when entering the UK, dual nationals will now have to present one of the following:
- A valid British passport
- A valid Irish passport
- A Certificate of Entitlement
A Certificate of Entitlement is used alongside a foreign passport. It confirms the holder’s right of abode in the UK and must be applied for in advance on the government website. The certificate is linked to the passport you’re travelling on and costs £589.
Travelling on a non-British passport alone will no longer be accepted for entry into the UK. This new rule applies to both private (charter) and scheduled flights. Airlines and immigration authorities have been instructed to deny boarding to any dual citizen, including children, who aren’t carrying a British passport.
Why is this changing?
The UK has been implementing the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme since October 2023. The ETA isn’t a visa, but a digital pre‑travel clearance that is similar to the ESTA already in place in the US. It’s an extra security measure at border control.
The ETA is required for citizens of the 85 nations that have visa-free travel agreements with the UK, such as Canada, Australia and the EU nations. Dual British citizens aren’t eligible to apply for an ETA, nor can they get visas to the UK if their other citizenship would usually require them to. Now, they must show a valid British or Irish Passport, or Certificate of Entitlement at border control to enter the UK.
Brit abroad travelling soon?
These new rules have come into effect quickly, meaning many Brits overseas may already have booked upcoming travel in the coming months, who were expecting to travel on the passport on their chosen country. For many travelling back home to the UK, it may now be too late to get their British passport renewed before the new rules come into effect.
Due to this concern, the British Home Office released a statement on 16 February 2026 stating that airlines may allow dual nationals to travel with an expired British passport as alternative documentation, but this would be at the discretion of the carrier, so it is best to check ahead of travel. The UK Home Office strongly recommends a valid British or Irish passport or Certificate of Entitlement for a smooth travel experience.
For travel teams and managers, we strongly recommend reviewing your passengers’ documentation ahead of any UK-bound travel to avoid disruption.
