A major revision to the United Kingdom’s border entry rules is set to take effect on 25 February 2026, with potentially far-reaching consequences for British dual nationals who travel on non-UK passports. Under the updated policy introduced by the Home Office, holders of dual citizenship will now be required to present a valid British passport when entering the UK or risk being refused boarding on flights, ferries or trains — even if they hold British citizenship and have the legal right of abode in the country.
The new protocols form part of a broader launch of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, a digital permission scheme designed to enhance border security and streamline entry processes. From next week, most international visitors from visa-exempt countries must secure an ETA in advance of travel, typically costing £16 and valid for multiple journeys over two years. British and Irish citizens are exempt from this requirement, but dual nationals face a stricter evidentiary standard.
Under the revised rules, British citizens who also hold another nationality will no longer be able to use a foreign passport alone to board transport to the UK. Instead, they must either enter using a British passport, a valid Irish passport if applicable, or attach a “certificate of entitlement” to their non-UK passport. That certificate, which serves as proof of the holder’s right to live and work in the UK, comes with a significantly higher price tag of £589 and must be renewed whenever the linked passport is replaced.
The policy shift has generated significant alarm among dual nationals living abroad, many of whom have not maintained up-to-date British passports or have never held one. British citizens in countries that do not permit dual nationality, such as Spain, and those with families born overseas are among those expressing frustration and concern about the logistical and financial burden imposed by the new requirements. One British woman living in Germany told The Guardian she felt the change was “shortsighted” and risked treating dual nationals as “Brexit collateral” by forcing them into a contentious choice between expensive documentation or potential travel disruption.
Critics argue the new entry conditions could disproportionately affect elderly travellers, children born abroad who have never had British passports, and those who have only recently acquired citizenship and are awaiting their first passport. Stories from dual nationals planning travel later this month describe panic over potential denial of boarding or last-minute scramble to secure the necessary documents.
Advocacy groups have also raised concerns about the absence of more affordable alternatives to the certificate of entitlement, urging the government to consider options used in countries such as Canada, which operates a lower-cost travel authorisation system for its citizens abroad. The Home Office, however, maintains that the updated measures are in line with international entry standards and will help improve security and border efficiency.
Transport carriers and border staff will begin enforcing the rules from the implementation date, with failure to produce valid documentation potentially leading to refusal to board. The UK government stresses that British citizens retain their legal right of entry, but carriers will require satisfactory proof of citizenship prior to departure to avoid fines or liability.
As the deadline approaches, pressure is mounting on authorities to clarify communications and support affected travellers navigating the new system.
