Millions of UK dual nationals living abroad will soon face stricter entry rules as Britain rolls out its new Electronic Travel Authorisation system.
From February 25, 2026, British and Irish dual citizens will generally be required to enter the UK using a British or Irish passport, ending a long-standing practice that allowed entry on foreign passports without restriction.
Millions of UK citizens live overseas, and for decades many dual nationals have entered the country using non-British passports without issue.
That long-standing flexibility is now coming to an end as the United Kingdom prepares to fully implement its new Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA, system.
From February 25, 2026, British and Irish dual citizens will generally be required to enter the UK using a British or Irish passport.
Dual nationals attempting to travel solely on a foreign passport — such as a US, Canadian, Australian or EU passport — will be denied boarding unless they also possess a valid Certificate of Entitlement proving their right of abode in the UK.
ETA System Driving Policy Shift
The change is directly linked to the rollout of the ETA system, a digital travel permit similar to the US ESTA. The ETA will cost £16, remain valid for two years, and allow visa-free visitors to stay in the UK for up to six months for tourism, business or short-term work.
British and Irish dual nationals are not eligible to apply for an ETA. To prevent misuse of foreign passports by citizens who already have the right to live in the UK, authorities are now enforcing passport-specific entry requirements.
While those with valid British or Irish passports will face little more than inconvenience, the rule change could significantly affect dual nationals who do not currently hold British passports.
This includes people born abroad to British parents, unregistered citizens, and long-term expatriates whose UK passports expired years ago.
Without proof of British citizenship, such individuals may be stopped before boarding flights or ferries to the UK.
Costly Alternative to a Passport
For those unable or unwilling to obtain a British passport, the only alternative is a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode. The document costs £589, must be renewed with each passport expiry, and must be presented alongside a foreign passport when travelling.
For most dual nationals, renewing a British passport remains the cheaper and simpler option.
Affected travellers now face four main options: travel on a British or Irish passport, apply for a Certificate of Entitlement, register British citizenship if eligible, or formally renounce British citizenship.
Emergency travel documents may be available in limited cases, but they are not a long-term solution.
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