The UK government is introducing significant changes to the way dual citizens travel to the United Kingdom, set to take effect from 25 February 2026. These changes specifically affect British and Irish nationals who also hold citizenship from another country, and they aim to modernise border checks in line with the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.
Under the updated rules, dual citizens will no longer be able to enter the UK using only a foreign passport — such as an Australian, US, or EU passport — even if they have the legal right to live and work in the country. Instead, they must show clear documentary evidence of their British or Irish citizenship before departure.
For most dual nationals, this means travelling with one of the following: a valid British passport, a valid Irish passport (where applicable), or a foreign passport containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the right of abode in the UK. Without one of these documents, airlines, ferry companies, and other carriers are likely to refuse boarding, as they are now required to ensure passengers have the correct paperwork before departure.
The Certificate of Entitlement is an alternative to a British passport but comes with a significant cost — around £589 when applied for from overseas — and must be renewed each time a new passport is issued. By contrast, a standard British passport application costs around £94.50 for an adult.
These changes are tied to the UK’s ETA system, which requires most foreign visitors to obtain digital travel permission before arrival in the country. British and Irish citizens are exempt from ETAs, but the new rules mean that carriers need a reliable way to verify a traveller’s nationality status before boarding. A foreign passport alone no longer provides that proof for dual citizens under the updated system.
The practical effect of the rule change has already caused concern among many dual nationals, particularly those in countries such as Australia. Some travellers who had previously entered the UK with a non‑British passport are now having to renew or obtain British documentation, while others are even considering renouncing UK nationality altogether due to the cost and administrative burden.
It’s important to note that the changes do not alter the legal right of British or Irish citizens to enter the UK. Instead, they tighten the evidence required at departure and check‑in, shifting responsibility to carriers to ensure compliance before travellers board flights or other international transport.
Travellers planning trips to the UK after late February 2026 should check their documentation well in advance and consider applying for the appropriate passport or certificate long before departure to avoid delays or denied boarding.
