Picture this: you’ve been a British citizen for years. You hold two passports — British and, say, Australian. Your British one expired two years ago, but you never bothered renewing it because, well, you always got in just fine on your Aussie passport. You book a flight to London, show up at the gate… and get turned away.
That’s not a hypothetical anymore. That is the reality for British dual nationals from 25 February 2026.
A quiet but significant shift in UK border policy is now in full force, and if you haven’t heard about it, you’re not alone. Thousands of dual British citizens were caught off guard. Airlines are now checking travel eligibility before you board, and if you can’t prove your British citizenship in a very specific, officially accepted way, you may not make it past the departure gate.
Let’s break down exactly what’s happening, why it matters, and what you need to do right now.
What Actually Changed on 25 February 2026
Here’s the short version: the UK has rolled out a mandatory pre-departure check system tied to its new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme. Under this system, every airline, ferry, and train operator flying or sailing into the UK must now verify — before departure — that each passenger has valid permission to travel to the UK.
British citizens are exempt from the ETA requirement. But here’s the catch: the automated system can only recognise that exemption if you’re travelling on a valid British passport (or a foreign passport containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode).
If you’re a dual British-French, British-American, British-Australian national — or any other combination — and you show up with only your non-British passport, the airline’s system cannot confirm your British citizenship. To that automated check, you look like a regular foreign national who needs an ETA. And since British citizens can’t apply for an ETA, you end up in a kind of digital no-man’s land.
The result? Boarding denied.
Wait — Is There Actually a Law Saying You Must Travel on a British Passport?
This is where it gets a little nuanced, and frankly, a bit maddening.
Legally speaking? No. There is no single law requiring British citizens to travel on a British passport. The Home Office minister confirmed this in Parliament in June 2025. So technically, your right to enter the UK hasn’t changed.
But practically speaking? The new system has made it extremely difficult to exercise that right without the right documents in hand. The House of Commons Library itself noted that pre-departure checks now make it “difficult to travel to the UK without one.”
Section 3(9) of the Immigration Act 1971 is clear: a person claiming the right of abode must prove it either through a UK passport describing them as a British citizen, or a passport endorsed with a Certificate of Entitlement. Those are your two options. Full stop.
So while no one is technically revoking your citizenship, the practical reality is: no valid British passport, no guarantee you’re getting on that plane.
Who Does This Affect?
The scale of this is bigger than most people realise. An estimated 1.2 million dual British nationals abroad are affected by this change. That includes:
- Over 650,000 dual British-Australian nationals — the single largest group impacted
- British-EU nationals across France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and beyond
- British-American and British-Canadian dual citizens
- British nationals who naturalised in another country but never renewed their UK passport
- Children who have automatic British citizenship through a parent but hold only a foreign passport
- Individuals who were granted British nationality but haven’t yet applied for a British passport
One important clarification: this rule applies regardless of where you live. Whether you’re based in London or Lagos, Melbourne or Madrid — if you hold British citizenship and are travelling to the UK on a non-British passport, you’re at risk.
And Irish passport holders? They’re exempt. Valid Irish passports continue to work under existing arrangements.
How the ETA System Actually Works (And Why Dual Nationals Are Stuck in It)
The UK’s ETA scheme has been rolling out since 2023. Think of it like the US ESTA — a digital pre-authorisation that visitors from visa-free countries need before travelling to the UK. It costs £16 (soon to increase to £20) and is linked to a specific passport.
Here’s the problem for dual nationals:
British citizens cannot apply for an ETA. They’re exempt. But that exemption only shows up in the system if they’re travelling on a British passport. If you present a French or American passport at check-in, the airline’s system sees a foreign national. It looks for an ETA. There isn’t one. Boarding is refused.
It’s a bit like showing up to your own house but having lost the key and also the keyhole doesn’t accept a driver’s licence as proof you live there. The house is still yours. But you’re sleeping outside tonight.
Your Options — What You Can Actually Do
Let’s be practical. Here’s what the options look like right now:
| Option | What It Is | Cost | Processing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valid British Passport | Standard adult UK passport | £94.50 (UK) / higher from abroad | Several weeks | Best option — guarantees boarding |
| Certificate of Entitlement (COE) | Digital endorsement linked to foreign passport confirming right of abode | £589 | Several weeks | From 26 February 2026, issued digitally via UKVI eVisa account |
| Emergency Travel Document | For urgent travel when no passport is available | Varies | Days (if approved) | Harder to obtain if no recent UK passport history |
| Expired UK Passport (Transitional) | Temporary discretionary concession | N/A | N/A | Must be issued 1989 or later; details must match foreign passport; boarding at carrier’s discretion only — not guaranteed |
The safest and simplest option is to travel on a valid British passport. If yours has expired, renew it now. Don’t wait.
If renewing in time isn’t possible, a Certificate of Entitlement is your next best route, though at £589 and with processing times of several weeks, it’s expensive and not last-minute friendly.
Why Is the UK Doing This?
The Home Office frames this as part of digital modernisation of the border — bringing the UK in line with countries like the US, Australia, and Canada, all of which require their citizens to enter on a national passport.
The stated goals are:
- A more streamlined, digital immigration system
- Faster and more secure border processing
- Better ability to prevent people who pose a threat from entering
- A clearer understanding of immigration patterns
The government also argues that public guidance has been available since October 2024 — giving travellers over a year’s notice. Whether that communication actually reached the 1.2 million affected people living overseas is… a separate conversation.
The Real-World Impact: What This Looks Like in Practice
Consider a few scenarios that are now playing out at airports around the world:
Scenario 1: A British-Belgian dual national who has worked in the UK for twenty years but holds only a Belgian passport — he’s never applied for a British passport. Under the new rules, his Belgian passport triggers no exemption in the carrier’s system. Boarding refused.
Scenario 2: A British-French dual national living in Paris takes a weekend trip to London. Returns to Paris, comes back the following Monday on her French passport. Under the old rules, no problem. Under the new rules, boarding potentially refused unless she has a valid British passport or COE.
Scenario 3: A child born in Australia to a British parent, who has automatic British citizenship but holds only an Australian passport. Now needs either a British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement to travel to the UK.
These aren’t edge cases. These are happening right now, today, at airports across the world.
What About the Transitional Arrangements?
The Home Office released a temporary concession on 20 February 2026, which allows carriers to potentially accept an expired British passport issued in 1989 or later, combined with a valid passport from a non-visa national country, provided the personal details on both documents match. An approved ETA must also be linked to the foreign passport.
Key word there: potentially. This is at the carrier’s discretion. It does not create a guaranteed right to travel. And it is explicitly temporary — not a long-term alternative to holding a current British passport.
In other words: don’t count on it.
For Employers and HR Teams: This Is Your Problem Too
If your company employs globally mobile staff — executives, consultants, professionals who travel to the UK regularly — this change directly affects your operations.
An employee denied boarding means missed meetings, potential compliance issues around work location, payroll complications if someone ends up stranded abroad, and reputational risk if client commitments aren’t met.
HR teams should:
- Audit employee documents — identify all dual nationals who may be travelling to the UK
- Update travel risk protocols to include documentation requirements
- Issue internal guidance making clear that dual nationals cannot use the ETA system and must travel on a valid British passport or COE
- Communicate early — do not wait for a last-minute situation at a departure gate
FAQs
Q: Do I legally have to travel on a British passport? A: There is no single law requiring it. However, in practice, the UK’s new pre-departure check system means you are very likely to be denied boarding without one. The Home Office confirmed this in Parliament in June 2025.
Q: Can I apply for an ETA on my non-British passport if I’m also a British citizen? A: No. British citizens are exempt from the ETA requirement, which also means they cannot apply for one. Previously, some ETAs were granted to dual nationals who declared British citizenship, but this is no longer reliable under the new system.
Q: What if I have a Certificate of Entitlement? A: A Certificate of Entitlement (COE) is the official alternative to a British passport. From 26 February 2026, these are issued digitally via a UKVI eVisa account and are linked to your foreign passport. They confirm your right of abode and are accepted by carriers. They cost £589 and take several weeks to process.
Q: What if my British passport has just expired? A: There is a temporary, discretionary concession allowing carriers to accept an expired British passport issued in 1989 or later, alongside a valid non-visa national foreign passport with matching personal details. However, this is not guaranteed — it is at the carrier’s discretion. The safest action is to renew your passport.
Q: Does this affect Irish passport holders? A: No. Irish passport holders are exempt and can continue travelling under existing arrangements.
Q: What if I was recently granted British nationality but haven’t applied for a passport yet? A: You are affected. The new requirements apply to all British nationals, including those who have been granted citizenship but do not yet hold a British passport. You should apply as soon as possible.
Q: Can children travel to the UK on a foreign passport if they have automatic British citizenship? A: No. Children with automatic British citizenship also need a valid British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement to travel to the UK from 25 February 2026.
Q: What’s an emergency travel document, and can I use it? A: An emergency travel document can be issued to British nationals abroad who need to travel urgently and cannot renew or replace their British passport in time. However, it may be more difficult to obtain if you haven’t held a UK passport for many years. Contact the nearest British Embassy or consulate.
Q: How much does a British passport cost? A: A standard adult British passport currently costs £94.50 from within the UK. The cost is higher if applying from abroad. An Irish passport currently costs €75.
Q: Is my UK citizenship affected by these changes? A: No. UK nationality law is completely unchanged. This update concerns pre-departure verification only — not your citizenship rights. Your right to live and work in the UK remains exactly as it was.
The Bottom Line
Look, the UK hasn’t taken away anyone’s citizenship. Your right of abode is intact. But the rules around proving that right at the boarding gate have fundamentally changed — and the digital system enforcing those rules doesn’t do nuance.
If you’re a dual British national and you travel to the UK even occasionally, the message is simple: get a valid British passport, and get it now. Don’t rely on expired documents, goodwill from airline staff, or transitional arrangements that aren’t guaranteed.
This isn’t bureaucratic noise. People are being turned away at airports today. Don’t be one of them.
Check your passport. Renew if needed. And share this with any dual national you know who might be affected — because not everyone has heard about this yet.
150-Word Synopsis
From 25 February 2026, the UK now requires all dual British nationals to present a valid British passport — or a Certificate of Entitlement — when travelling to the UK. This change is tied to the rollout of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, under which airlines must verify travel permission before departure. British citizens cannot apply for an ETA, and the automated system cannot recognise British citizenship through a foreign passport alone. While there is technically no law requiring British citizens to travel on a British passport, the practical effect of the new system means dual nationals without valid UK documentation are at real risk of being denied boarding. An estimated 1.2 million dual British nationals abroad are affected, including over 650,000 in Australia. This article explains what changed, who is affected, what documents are accepted, the available alternatives, and what individuals and employers should do immediately to avoid disruption.
Sources
- UK House of Commons Library Research Briefing — “Can a British citizen travel to the UK using a non-British passport?” (Updated February 2026): commonslibrary.parliament.uk
- Free Movement (immigration law website) — “Will the UK really ban dual nationals who don’t have a British passport?” (February 2026): freemovement.org.uk
- UK Government (GOV.UK) — “Electronic travel authorisation (ETA): guide for dual citizens” (Updated 25 February 2026): gov.uk
- Davidson Morris Immigration Solicitors — “British Passport Dual Citizenship: 2026 Rules”: davidsonmorris.com
- Home Office Media Blog — “Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet – February 2026”: homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk
- Hill Dickinson LLP — “UK immigration updates for dual nationals: new requirements for proving British citizenship at the border (2025–26)”: hilldickinson.com
- Forsters LLP — “British dual citizens may be denied entry without UK passport”: forsters.co.uk
- Boundless Immigration — “UK Dual Citizens Must Use British Passport in 2026”: boundless.com
- IBTimes UK — “British Passport Dual Nationality Rule Could Block UK Entry After 25 February”: ibtimes.co.uk
- Immigration Act 1971, Section 3(9) — UK Primary Legislation
