Dual Citizen Brits Face Urgent Passport Deadline as Entry Rules Tighten
British dual citizens have just weeks to prepare for a significant change to UK entry requirements that could see them denied boarding if they attempt to travel without appropriate documentation. The Home Office's new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, coming into effect next month, brings stricter rules for all travellers, including those holding multiple nationalities.
What's Changing for Dual Citizens?
From February 25, 2026, British dual citizens must present either a valid UK passport or a certificate of entitlement when entering the country. This represents a substantial shift from previous practice, where dual nationals could often travel using non-British passports or prove their citizenship status through alternative documents when required.
The changes affect all British dual citizens, including:
- British-born individuals who have acquired another country's nationality
- People who naturalised or registered as British later in life
- Those who have been dual nationals since birth
While British and Irish citizens remain exempt from the ETA requirement itself, they must now travel on a British or Irish passport or present the certificate of entitlement. Airlines, ferry operators, and train companies can deny boarding to anyone whose documents don't meet the new requirements.
Why the Sudden Change?
The Home Office is implementing these measures as part of a broader push to digitalise border controls and create what they describe as "a more seamless travel experience" for millions of visitors. However, the practical effect for dual citizens is that they must now ensure they have appropriate British documentation before travelling to the UK.
A House of Commons briefing noted that while there's no legal requirement for British citizens to travel on a British passport, pre-departure checks make it increasingly difficult to do otherwise. Transport providers follow strict Home Office guidance and risk penalties for bringing inadequately documented passengers to the UK.
Practical Considerations and Costs
For those needing to obtain or renew documentation, standard adult passports cost £94.50 when applying online, while child passports are £61.50. Applications from overseas typically cost slightly more. The certificate of entitlement, which proves the holder's right to live and work in the UK, carries a much higher price tag of £589.
Processing times vary, with domestic applications typically taking three weeks, though this may extend if interviews or additional information are required. Overseas applications follow different timelines. British passports issued after 2018 remain valid for ten years.
Public Reaction and Statistics
According to the latest Office for National Statistics census, approximately 1.26 million people in England and Wales hold multiple passports, representing around 2.1% of the population. Reaction to the changes has been mixed among those affected.
Cesare, a 33-year-old maths lecturer at the University of Manchester who moved from Italy in 2016 and became a British citizen in 2023, expressed frustration: "We all expected this, but my reaction was negative. As it happened with post-Brexit immigration restrictions, everyone ends up paying the price."
He highlighted what he sees as a paradox: "Those who chose not to get a UK passport before, it ends up costing more to dual citizens than to visitors."
Other perspectives have emerged on social media, with one Facebook user commenting: "Australia has always required Australian-born dual nationals to travel into Australia on their Australian passport. This is the same but in reverse. Small price to pay for being lucky enough to have dual nationality."
Another practical-minded individual noted: "It's a privilege to have dual citizenship. Just keep both passports up to date and enter and exit on appropriate country's passport. I've only ever done this."
Official Position and Implementation
The Home Office has been advising dual nationals to travel on British passports for several months, though enforcement has been relaxed to allow adjustment time. From February 25th, this guidance becomes mandatory.
A Home Office spokesperson stated: "Digitising the immigration system using ETAs ensures millions of people enjoy a more seamless travel experience to the UK. ETAs also give us greater power to stop those who pose a threat from setting foot in the country and gives us a fuller picture of immigration."
For the estimated 1.26 million dual citizens in England and Wales, the message is clear: check your UK passport validity now and ensure you have appropriate documentation before making any travel plans after February 24, 2026.
