British Passports
British passports Ethan Wilkinson/Unsplash

The Home Office has issued a warning to British citizens who also hold citizenship in other countries. Dual British citizens must show a British passport upon travelling to the UK to be granted entry and avoid delays, with the new rules taking effect near the end of the month.

According to The Guardian, the Home Office has informed British dual citizens of the requirements they must meet should they travel or return to the UK after 25 February. They must present a valid British passport to be granted entry into the UK. The alternative is to present a 'certificate of entitlement' attached to their second nationality passport, which costs £589, when boarding a flight, ferry, or train to the UK.

What Is the Certificate of Entitlement?

The certificate serves as an official endorsement confirming the person's right of abode in the UK and grants them unrestricted living and working rights. Eligible citizens can apply for this certificate via the government's website.

ETA Requirements

The issue that many British dual nationals could potentially face follows a change in border controls after 25 February. By that time, everyone travelling to the UK will need permission to travel, except British or Irish citizens or those otherwise exempt. British dual citizens under the EU Settlement Scheme or on Leave to Remain arrangements are included amongst those exempt.

Those who will only visit the UK for a short time are required to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation, which costs £16.

Countries that previously did not require a visa to enter the UK, such as the US and France, will now be required to obtain an ETA to be granted entry. Carriers will be conducting checks before passengers travel once the rule takes effect.

This change is only taking place for dual nationals now, despite the ETA system being enforced since 2023, with over 13.3 million passengers having successfully applied.

How Dual Citizen Brits Feel

The requirements are part of the new rules the government announced in 2025. However, for Brits who hold a second citizenship and are living outside the UK, some feel they were not properly informed of those changes. They also felt that having to keep two passports is a 'luxury' that not everyone can afford.

A new British passport costs around £94.50. This move would affect 1.2 million dual British citizens.

Immigration lawyer Skylar McKeith posted a video on TikTok explaining what this new requirement means. McKeith also shared tips on how to navigate the change.

@theimmigrationlawyer

From 25 February 2026, the UK will fully enforce its ETA system. British citizens are not eligible to apply for an ETA. If you are a UK dual national and travel on your non-UK passport, airlines may treat you as needing an ETA, which you cannot obtain, and refuse boarding. To avoid problems, British citizens should travel on their UK passport or obtain a certificate of entitlement. UK immigration solicitor. Content for general information only - not legal advice. Save this if you hold more than one passport 🇬🇧 #DualCitizenship #BritishCitizenship #UKTravel #ETA #UKImmigration

♬ original sound - Skylar McKeith | Lawyer

'From the 25th February, the UK will fully enforce its ETA system,' McKeith explained. 'British citizens cannot apply for an ETA, so if you are a dual citizen and you travel on your non-UK foreign passport, you may be refused boarding.'

'The solution is simple. Travel on your British passport or a foreign passport with a certificate of entitlement,' said McKeith.

Those who have multiple passports are generally advised to carry all of them when travelling to have options for visa-free entry. It is also advised to use your home country's passport when entering or returning from that country.

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