UK Dual Citizens Face Travel Turmoil Over New Rules

Starting February 25, 2026, a sweeping change to the United Kingdom’s border controls will upend the way more than a million dual British citizens travel home. In a move that has triggered confusion, frustration, and even threats of citizenship renunciation, the Home Office now requires all dual British nationals arriving from overseas to prove their right of abode by presenting a valid British passport or a newly digitized certificate of entitlement. The new rule replaces the previous, more flexible system that allowed dual nationals to travel on either their UK or foreign passport—a practice many had come to rely on for years. According to The Daily Mail, the change has sparked a “backlash from Britons overseas” who say they've been “left blindsided” by the tweak in border controls. British embassies and consulates worldwide have reported a surge in inquiries, as dual nationals scramble to understand how the new rules will affect them. The Home Office’s stated aim is to modernize the border through a digital system, aligning with practices in countries like the US and Australia. A spokesperson explained that when dual citizens travel on a non-British passport, airlines and other carriers can't verify their citizenship, which could result in delays or even denied boarding. The reform also seeks to address a data issue: without consistent documentation, dual nationals are lumped in with foreign travelers, skewing immigration records. But for many, the rationale offers little comfort. Campaigners argue that the 1.2 million dual British citizens worldwide are being treated as “second-class citizens” under the new rules. The cost and bureaucracy associated with obtaining a British passport—or, until recently, a certificate of entitlement—have left some considering the drastic step of renouncing their British citizenship altogether. One 70-year-old British art historian living in New Zealand told The Times he was “among many” who would give up their British status to avoid the lengthy, expensive process. His last British passport expired over 20 years ago, and reapplying would require tracking down original family documents, a process he described as “quite a strong gesture to say I thoroughly disapprove of this government measure.” The new rules also apply to dual nationals with Irish or EU citizenships, although, as The Guardian reports, Irish-British dual nationals are exempt and can continue to travel on either passport. The confusion is compounded by the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which, from February 25, ends its “tolerance period.” Most visa-free travelers must now obtain digital pre-authorization before entering Britain, but British and Irish citizens are exempt. Official guidance strongly advises dual British citizens to travel with a valid UK passport or certificate of entitlement, but UK law does not explicitly require British citizens to enter on a British passport, creating uncertainty and anxiety. Travelers who attempt to use a foreign passport and an ETA face a unique problem: the ETA application does not allow applicants to declare “British citizen” as an additional nationality. This leaves dual nationals unable to complete the form accurately if traveling on a non-British passport. While some have reported entering the UK without issue using their foreign passport and an ETA, authorities warn that checks will tighten after February 25. Those without valid UK documentation could face additional identity checks and travel disruptions, according to Euronews. For those who don’t want to—or can’t—renew their British passport, the alternative has been a certificate of entitlement, historically a paper sticker in a foreign passport. Until now, this certificate cost £589 and lasted only as long as the passport it was attached to, leading to a rush of applications before the rule change. But in a quiet update on the UK passport website just days before the new rules take effect, the government announced that from February 26, certificates of entitlement will be linked digitally to new passports for free, replacing the old sticker system. This move, reported by RNZ, has been welcomed by some as a step toward reducing costs and bureaucracy, but the timing and lack of publicity have left many in the dark. The British High Commission in Wellington referred to a January 2025 media release about the ETA scheme but not about the new passport or certificate requirements. When asked about support for citizens caught out by the new rule, the High Commission assured RNZ that consular assistance would be provided for all citizens abroad when the new requirements come into effect. Legal experts say the changes are part of a broader trend among countries with dual nationality to tighten border processes and improve immigration statistics. UK law professor Elspeth Guild explained to RNZ, “A number of countries insist that where their nationals are entering their 'home' country they must use their 'home' passport. This requirement seems to have a basis in the entitlement of countries to know whether their citizens are at home or not.” She noted that without clear documentation, dual nationals could be misclassified as aliens, distorting immigration records and enforcement statistics. The suddenness of the change and the lack of communication have left many dual nationals in difficult situations. The Guardian reported on a young British couple honeymooning in New Zealand who, having only just learned of the new rule, now fear they may have to cut their trip short or risk being stranded. Another man in Canada, hoping to visit his dying brother, moved his flight forward to ensure he could enter the UK before the rules changed. “It is completely absurd that dual nationals like myself should be ruled ineligible to enter the UK as tourists without an ETA,” he said, calling the policy “a curious Whitehall mentality.” Political pressure is mounting for a more compassionate approach. The Liberal Democrats have called for a “grace period” to help those caught out by the sudden change, with shadow immigration and asylum minister Will Forster criticizing the government’s “lack of planning and haphazard communication.” He urged, “Whilst they sort out the chaos, the government should allow a grace period, as many dual nationals are in heartbreaking circumstances, unable to visit ill family members or attend weddings and funerals. They must also urgently provide a low-cost, affordable alternative to the current system.” Travel industry representatives have echoed these concerns. Abta, the trade organization for tour operators and travel agents, noted “considerable confusion and uncertainty around the new rules,” especially for those already abroad or with imminent travel plans. Airlines like Ryanair say they may be able to accept passengers with out-of-date passports, but only if the government approves. Immigration lawyers, meanwhile, expect border officials to show some pragmatism to avoid widespread disruption, especially at major entry points like Heathrow. Despite the outcry, the Home Office stands firm. In a statement to The Guardian, officials said, “From 25 February 2026, all dual British citizens will need to present either a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement when travelling to the UK. Without one, carriers cannot verify they are a British citizen, which may lead to delays or refused boarding.” The government has not yet clarified what, if any, alternative documentation might be accepted in the interim. With the deadline looming, dual British citizens around the world are left weighing their options—and, in some cases, their very identity. For many, the new rules have turned a routine journey home into a bureaucratic minefield, raising questions not only about border security but also about what it truly means to belong.