New UK Border Rules for Dual Nationals Spark Discrimination Claims
Campaigners are raising alarms that new United Kingdom border regulations requiring British dual nationals to present a UK passport when entering the country are discriminatory against women, particularly those residing in Spain and Greece. The rules, which took effect on February 25, mandate that British dual nationals must show a British passport or attach a costly "certificate of entitlement" to their second passport when boarding planes, ferries, or trains to the UK.
Name Mismatch Issues Create Huge Problems
The controversy centers on British rules requiring names to exactly match on UK and second passports. In Greece, women are legally required to keep their maiden names after marriage to Greek nationals, meaning those with British passports using their husband's surnames will violate the name-match rule. Similarly, in Spain, Britons married to Spaniards carry two surnames on official identification—their mother's maiden name and their father's surname—while UK passports typically list only one surname.
"It is causing huge problems," said Julia Cross of the grassroots organization British in Greece. "Many didn't know they had to get a second passport, but the requirement for name alignment on the two passports is discriminatory and only impacts women." The organization represents approximately 20,000 Britons in Greece and is part of the umbrella group British in Europe, which has advocated for Britons' rights post-Brexit.
Communication Failures and Confusion
Campaigners emphasize that the new rules have not been adequately communicated, leading to widespread confusion and stress among affected women. Cross has called for an urgent transition period of at least three months to properly inform Britons abroad and allow them to make necessary adjustments. "I've had one woman get in touch who says she feels like she has been 'banned' from entering her own country," Cross noted, highlighting the emotional toll.
The Home Office has stated that individuals may be allowed to have mismatched names in exceptional circumstances if they can provide evidence of being unable to change their name in foreign-issued documents. However, campaigners argue this does not address the broader issue of discrimination and lack of awareness.
Legal and Practical Complications
A House of Commons briefing paper from late January points out that while Britons have the legal right to enter the UK, airlines risk fines if they allow boarding without correct documentation, potentially preventing travel. The UK government's guidance warns that without a valid document, individuals may not be able to board transport to the UK after February 25.
In Spain, an additional complication arises because the country does not recognize dual nationals unless born to one Spanish and one foreign parent. Naturalization candidates must renounce other nationalities, but many secretly retain British passports. Stefanie, a British woman living in Spain for 25 years who naturalized after Brexit, explained that producing a British passport at the airport could expose this and risk losing Spanish citizenship. "Even if I could fly out on the Spanish and show the airline I possess a British passport, I was told if the names don't align, the airline may refuse boarding," she said.
Broader Context and Financial Burden
The rule change is part of a wider effort to improve immigration data gathering at the border. From February 25, foreign nationals must apply for an electronic travel authorization (ETA) costing £16 to enter the UK, but dual nationals cannot use this on their second passport. Irish passport holders are exempt from the new rules.
Gabrielle Mordy, a dual national in Australia, shared that she had traveled without issue on her Australian passport for years but only learned about the rule change in January. She noted that obtaining a certificate of entitlement can take up to eight weeks, making it impractical for imminent travel. One woman in Germany criticized the financial burden: "They are treating tourists better than their own citizens. Why can't we just have an ETA? Why do we have to fork out nearly £600 if we can't get a passport? For a family traveling at Easter, that is a lot of money."
The situation underscores ongoing challenges post-Brexit, with campaigners urging the government to reconsider the rules to avoid discrimination and ensure fair treatment for all British citizens abroad.
