25th February 2026
From 25 February 2026, the UK is enforcing a new travel-permission regime (including ETAs Electronic Travel Authorisations) for everyone entering the UK, with no exceptions for carriers.
British dual nationals who do not present a valid British passport may be denied boarding or entry because carriers must confirm a traveller's right to enter before departure.
The Home Office has publicly confirmed this is the expected outcome for people who don't have the correct documentation.
Why this rule is causing problems now
Previously:
Dual British citizens could often fly into the UK on their non-British passport from visa-waiver countries (e.g., Australia, USA, EU) and be admitted by UK Border Force on arrival.
Now:
The UK’s ETA system requires carriers (airlines, ferries, trains) to check travel permission before boarding.
British or Irish citizens cannot apply for an ETA, so carriers can no longer issue that permission for a dual national travelling on a foreign passport alone.
That means without documentation that proves British citizenship in a way carriers recognise:
You may be denied boarding at your outbound airport/port; and
If you somehow get to the UK without it, Border Force could refuse entry.
What documents now satisfy the requirement
To travel to the UK from 25 February 2026 onward, dual British nationals generally need one of:
A valid British passport — the simplest way to prove citizenship.
A valid Irish passport (if also Irish) — Irish citizens remain exempt from ETA rules.
A Certificate of Entitlement to the right of abode — a separate document attached to another valid passport (cost ~£589, with long processing).
Carriers may at their discretion accept:
An expired British passport (issued 1989 or later) together with the valid passport of another nationality — but this is not guaranteed and left to the airline’s choice.
Why this is controversial
Many British dual nationals living overseas had never needed a UK passport to return home, and the rule change was only widely publicised very recently.
The cost and delay in getting the right documentation (e.g., certificate of entitlement) is significant.
Advocacy groups and some politicians have criticised the lack of a formal grace period to allow people time to comply.
British dual nationals risk being refused travel to the UK if they do not have the recognised proof of British citizenship from 25 February 2026 onwards.
The change stems from the rollout of the ETA and digital travel-permission system, which carriers must enforce before departure.
You must have a valid British passport, Irish passport, or Certificate of Entitlement; otherwise airlines may physically refuse you boarding.
Estimated numbers of affected people
Over 1 million dual British nationals globally
• Multiple travel outlets and reporting estimate that more than 1 million Britons with dual nationality could be caught up in the new requirements — because they have another nationality and tend to use that passport for travel instead of a UK one.
Around 1.2 million at risk of boarding denial
• One report specifically noted that approximately 1.2 million dual British citizens — for example British-Canadian dual nationals — risk being denied boarding if trying to enter the UK on their non-UK passport alone from 25 February 2026 onward.
Sub-groups like Australian dual citizens
• Separate estimates for specific nationalities suggest around 250,000 Australian dual citizens could face problems if travelling on an Australian passport without the right documentation.
What these estimates mean
These figures are about people who could be affected — i.e., dual citizens who don’t already hold a valid British passport or haven’t obtained the alternative Certificate of Entitlement.
Not all of them will definitely be refused entry — many may renew or obtain the necessary documentation before travel if they act quickly.
There isn’t an official Home Office count yet of how many actual refusals have happened because the rule has just begun to be enforced.
Context on refusals
When similar digital travel-document rules have been introduced elsewhere, the number of actual refused entries tends to be a small fraction of the total affected because many travellers act ahead of time once the rules are publicised. But the speed of enforcement and short notice have raised concerns that a notable number could be denied boarding in the coming days if they’re unprepared.