The Home Office has issued urgent travel guidance to over a million British citizens ahead of a significant rule change that will take effect in just three weeks. According to latest figures, approximately 1.26 million Brits currently hold dual nationality, and they must prepare for new documentation requirements.
New Entry Requirements for Dual Citizens
From February 25, 2026, dual British citizens will need to present either a valid British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement to enter the United Kingdom. The Home Office has cautioned that airlines will be rigorously verifying that travellers possess the correct documentation before allowing them to board flights to the UK.
This change follows recent modifications to the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. The ETA is required for individuals who do not need a visa for short visits of up to six months and who lack existing UK immigration status. From February 2025, eligible visitors without an ETA will not be permitted to board their transport and cannot lawfully journey to the UK.
Official Guidance from the Home Office
In an official announcement made via Instagram, the Home Office stated: "For dual citizens coming back home to the UK. From 25 February 2026, you will need a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement to travel to the UK. Airlines will check you have permission to travel before departure. This change supports the UK's move to digital permission to travel and strengthens border security."
Expert Analysis from Travel Guru Simon Calder
Renowned travel expert Simon Calder has described the alterations as 'extremely significant'. In a clip shared on the Independent's Instagram page, he provided detailed explanation: "If you happen to be a dual national, which means that you're lucky enough to be a citizen of both the UK and another country, then there is a very significant change to passport rules that's happening on the 25th of February."
Calder continued: "At the moment, suppose you are a British citizen but you choose to live abroad. You've got a foreign passport. You're perfectly entitled with that passport to come and go from the UK on short stays to see family, to be a tourist, or to go on a business trip. But from the 25th of February, that will all change."
Understanding the New ETA Requirements
"From that date, everybody who is not British or Irish has to have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to come to the UK. And you might think, 'Well, that's alright, I've got a French, or an American, or an Australian passport; I'll just get my ETA through that'. But not so fast," Calder explained.
"The British government says that if you have British citizenship—which might be because you were born here but you then moved abroad, or because you got it through descendancy—then you have to have one of two things in order to travel legally to the UK: Ideally, it will be a British passport. If you don't have one of those, well, I suggest you get one quickly."
Alternative Documentation: Certificate of Right of Abode
Calder mentioned an alternative option: "Or, it could be a Certificate of Right of Abode in the UK. But since that is going to cost you nearly £600 and it's going to run out whenever your foreign passport runs out, then I urge you to try to get a British passport if you're planning to travel to the UK anytime soon."
The right of abode that Calder refers to means you're permitted to live or work in Britain without facing any immigration restrictions. If you hold the right of abode, there's no requirement for a visa or ETA when entering the UK. There's also no cap on how long you can remain in the country.
Implications for Travel Planning
With the February 25 deadline approaching rapidly, dual nationals must take immediate action to ensure they have the correct documentation. The Home Office emphasizes that failure to comply could result in being denied entry to the UK, causing significant disruption to travel plans.
This policy shift represents part of the UK's broader strategy to enhance border security through digital systems. The implementation of stricter documentation checks aims to create a more secure and efficient travel authorization process while maintaining the integrity of the UK's immigration framework.
