25/2/2026: New rule for British dual nationals - must enter UK on UK passport
 

This will affect those of us with British-Spanish children. It won't affect those with Irish-Spanish children.

As suspected from the lack of clarity and the refusal to clearly answer the question when this point was raised in mid-2025 due to ETA, something was up. And that something was British dual nationals must enter the UK on their British passport from the end of February. The alternative is pay £600 for a sticker to put in the other passport.

Previously it was perfectly okay to enter using the passport for the other nationality for up to six months for tourism purposes (e.g. seeing family) and often more practical as it was cheaper and could be done by going to the police station or wherever.

Likewise when returning to the EU, they will have to show their EU passport/ID card to avoid EES/ETIAS.

Airline websites are of course unprepared for entering details for both passports. I guess the UK bound information should be entered.

Re: 25/2/2026: New rule for British dual nationals - must travel on UK passport
 

I'm a little confused by this video. Is the Irish (EU) passport still accepted for entrance to the UK? Or will you need to carry your British passport with your Irish passport for entering the UK?
I understand that the airlines will want details of your passport before your flight to the UK. So I assume that you need to enter the details of your British passport, rather than your Irish passport?

Re: 25/2/2026: New rule for British dual nationals - must travel on UK passport
 

The Irish passport is still accepted and still the easiest way to travel between the UK and EU and live and work in the UK and EU. It is exempt from ETA, EES, and ETIAS.

Re: 25/2/2026: New rule for British dual nationals - must enter UK on UK passpor
 

I always get two 1-way tickets when travelling to the UK as opposed to a return ticket. Ryanair luckily lets you add and store multiple passport (for yourself as well as travel companions) so you can select which one is used each way.

But I can imagine that things would be complicated on a return ticket somewhere, especially if a stop-over was included, where you might want to use different passports depending on the given leg of the journey.

Re: 25/2/2026: New rule for British dual nationals - must travel on UK passport
 

Hello

Been reading through this thread, but I just don't understand.

My wife and I, are both British, we live in Britain and have British passports. I also have an Irish passport and my wife has an Italian passport. We use the EU passports when on holiday in Europe.

We have booked a two holiday to Gran Canaria in May.

I understand the rules are not changing for Irish passports, but will my wife need a visa if she tries to enter the UK using her Italian passport?

Re: 25/2/2026: New rule for British dual nationals - must travel on UK passport
 

If your wife is a UK citizen, she cannot hold a visa for the UK.
From the end of February she will need to use her UK passport to enter the UK.

Re: 25/2/2026: New rule for British dual nationals - must travel on UK passport
 

Thank you, a pain, but there you go

Re: 25/2/2026: New rule for British dual nationals - must travel on UK passport
 

No different to many other countries - USA, Australia, Canada, and a measure towards controlling UK immigration, which people keep asking for :)

Re: 25/2/2026: New rule for British dual nationals - must travel on UK passport
 

How is showing a UK passport a pain?

Re: 25/2/2026: New rule for British dual nationals - must travel on UK passport
 

I've tried going out on my UK passport and entering holiday destination on EU passport previously. When returning to the UK, I couldn't use the auto gates, I had a red light. Had to go to one of the customs officers. I was told my passport wouldn't scan because it didn't have an arrival entry from another country.

Re: 25/2/2026: New rule for British dual nationals - must travel on UK passport
 

I guess people could always give up one or other of their citizenships.

Re: 25/2/2026: New rule for British dual nationals - must travel on UK passport
 

True but not a viable option for some especially those employed in jobs where Citizenship is a requirement for that job.

Many have emigrated for a variety of reasons be it love, job prospects, the weather, or they just want to get out of their country of birth. You are not forced to take up a 2nd citizenship unless it is a job requirement or your stay would be limited under timeframes. You could take up permanent residency but that is no guarantee that a country could change your status or remove it if falling foul of their laws which ends up in being removed.

So a family of 4 all who have dual citizenship be it birth or being born abroad to a UK citizen and entitled to UK citizenship have been living in X country for X years and no longer hold a UK passport. They are not returning to reside just a vacation but now need a UK passport to return. To some applying and paying for 4 passports could be a deal breaker.

If on returning as a visitor are they covered under the NHS? If they got into trouble and as a non resident would they be expected to contact their Consulate for assistance. As a non resident can they be added to a relatives car insurance to keep costs down? If not a resident will a normal high street bank let you open a bank account without asking to see proof of residence?

So while in your eyes it might be a smart thing to do for others not as simple.

Still as this is a European thread for those not happy then I guess complaining could always hope that the UK rejoins the EU but would that mean getting rid of this rule?

Re: 25/2/2026: New rule for British dual nationals - must travel on UK passport
 

Yes, for EU passport-holders.

Next?

Re: 25/2/2026: New rule for British dual nationals - must travel on UK passport
 

So dual citizenship has cobsiderable benefits (obviously), doubtless outweighing the alleged inconvenience of the new requirements, so need for grumbles.
(By the way I also emigrated, but retain single citizenship).

Re: 25/2/2026: New rule for British dual nationals - must travel on UK passport
 

So if God forbid you got into some sort of trouble and were convicted of a specific offence like drunk driving in Canada you would be OK with being possibly deported from Canada whereas if holding dual citizenship this would NOT happen.

I will not assume which country you currently live in as it is not apparent in your profile.

No need for the I don't drink and drive or even drink therefore not relevant as there are other offences. But I digress this is about passports. We have the same rule if flying into Canada if dual citizen living outside Canada and returning for a visit must enter on a Canadian passport. However they forgot if flying into the US and then driving across the border then no Canadian passport required and if you can prove Canadian citizenship then you have a right of entry and CANNOT be refused entry. Does this make sense?