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?

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

Hungary.

ETA: Sorry I was interrupted!

If you reside in Canada and need protection from deportation in the event of an offence, give up the other citizenship.

And before you ask, no I'm not a Hungarian citizen, simply because despite not inconsiderable expense, time & effort I am unable to pass the language test - more's the pity!

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

Not yet as I just finished lunch. :p



Having a guess that you would support the UK rejoining the EU and as long as following the rules to register with the authorities to live in an EU country which allegedly a few Brits did not and are now running into problems.

Look at all the threads now popping up on the ESS and EITAS implementations and who now has to do what. Surely the policy/laws governing this should be simple to understand yet all the questions and misunderstanding as there appears to be conflicting information.

Still at the end of the day if I want to travel to X country to visit I have to follow certain rules. If I wanted to live in X country still have to follow the rules.

Like all things in life some make sense and others don’t and we all know that at times the law is sometimes an ass.

The UK and Canada also have language tests to become a citizen and always bemused me when presented with a Canadian passport the holder could not speak either English or French which are the 2 official languages.

Some won't give up their other citizenship as in their later years they might want to return and live there and some countries will take away your citizenship or have restrictions if you take out other citizenship so still a problem if getting into trouble.

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

English & French are a tad easier than Hungarian!

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

Your wife will have to enter on her British passport. You can enter on either your British or Irish passports.

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

For a British-Spanish child living in Spain it would have to be the British one.

If anyone fancies arguing the point at immigration control with a valid foreign passport and an expired British passport, there's always this (highlighted reply)... and last but not least, if I've paid for two years of ETA before this was announced and it was approved then I'm going to get my money's worth from it.

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

I don't mind having to enter on a UK passport as long as you can... exit on a different one. :)

That way you can at least do passport renewals easier by doing the applications in the UK, posting your (UK) passport at the local passport office, and then leave on the other passport and wait for the new UK one to be sent to your overseas location.

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

Thank you

As suggested by astera, we will have to start booking one way tickets.

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

I'm a little confused about this dual passport thing and booking two single flights instead of a return. Bear with me a second.
What is the connection between Immigration and the airline info they have?

What I mean is, if a British and Irish passport holder flies from the UK to Spain and then return, why not book a return flight on either of the passports?
If you have to enter the UK on the UK passport what is the problem with booking a return on the Irish one and then at Immigration on return, just showing the British passport?
Vice versa, book on the British passport and use the Irish one to go through Immigration in Spain?
Am I missing something?

I had for a while a British and an EU country passport and would book return flights from Africa and Asia and would use either for the booking but just show the appropriate one at arrival Immigration depending if I was returning to the the UK or the EU country. If I needed a visa for the other country and it was in one passport then that would be the one I used for the airline booking and show it at Immigration in Africa/Asia - but if going to the UK or the EU country I'd produce the relevant one at Immigration on arrival there.

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

You don't need to book two single flights.
If you need to enter a passport when booking a flight, enter one that the system accepts. This does not mean that you need to use that passport either when flying or when going through immigration control.
The two systems are separate - one exists to satisfy airline requirements, the other immigration controls.

Example.
When flying from Australia, my Aus passport was on the booking..
At Aus airline check in, show the UK passport (shows entry permitted to the UK)
At Aus border control - show Aus passport
On entering UK - show UK passport

Airline Check in London when leaving - show Aus passport (proves entry permitted to Aus)
At UK border control - show UK passport
At Aus border control on entering - show Aus passport

All done on one return ticket.

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

Correct and only sucks if you happen to lose both passports you have to carry :sneaky:

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

And that is what I have done and know so it was confusing thinking I'd missed something when the conversation turned to having to book two one way flights.

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

Thank you for that, that'll save so much faffing around.

Thanks again

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

I use that as a general rule but the hiccup comes if/when there are restrictions to enter a country on a certain passport and the airline has that passport in their records. On check in you may have to show/explain the other one that allows free entry.
I'd expect that to go smoothly but I'm a pessimist where check in staff are involved.

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

Sorry, but that is completely out of context.
What works for Australia, will not work with Schengen controls/rules.
Apples != Pears.

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

I am talking about entry/exit to the UK, not to Schengen.

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

No problem

You will be carrying both passports anyway so if the airline asks, just show them.

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

When flying from UK to Spain, use Irish or UK passport on the booking..
At UK airline check in, show the passport booked with.
At UK border control - show UK passport to exit.
On entering Spain - show Irish passport to enter.

Airline Check in Spain when leaving - show Irish or UK passport as per the booking.
At Spain border control - show Irish passport to exit.
At UK border control on entering - show UK passport to enter.

Why would that not work in and out of Schengen?

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

Whilst switching passports between what you book a flight with and what you enter a country on is perfectly acceptable (in EU countries) the two systems are not seperate, the airline systems typically feed into immigration (and other) systems in most countries. It doesn't make any difference in this scenario but it's worth keeping in mind.

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

They are separate in that it makes no difference what passport number you enter into the airline booking. When you get to immigration you are under no obligation to use that one and they will not question the difference.

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

In the context of this thread it probably doesn’t make any difference. However the passport you check in with has to be valid to gain entry to the destination, airlines have an obligation to check this. Also keep I mind that not all countries have immigration checks on departure (UK being one) , the exit data for immigration is taken from the checked in passport from airlines.

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

Well they say they are tightening up migration controls and how is that going so far?

The onus of proof to prove one’s citizenship is on the person seeking entry into a country and of course this can be done a number of ways be it a passport or some other acceptable document to show the authorities. But there again it’s not like those documents produced have found to be fake, altered or forged.

Yes we accepted a 2nd citizenship for a variety of reasons however many of us did this many many years ago when this was not the law. Yes laws can also be changed.

I notice like me you have posted this reply on numerous threads for other countries is this your opinion or just stating what the Govt is saying and that you agree with this?

So in my case I took up my 2nd citizenship about 35 years ago (35 this year) and never renewed my UK passport.

So please give us querying this new law/policy a sensible reply/argument to the following

I am a dual citizen and have been for 35 years. I want to go back to visit relatives in the UK and I hold a valid Canadian passport and will gladly pay the fees for the eTA. I do have a copy of my birth certificate from the UK, an expired passport and NI number. I also have supporting documents showing I served in HM Forces and the Lancashire Constabulary.

Based on the above why cannot I apply for the eTA?

From the UK Govt website

All British citizens automatically have right of abode in the UK.

https://www.gov.uk/right-of-abode

In my case I am not returning to live or work in the UK and even if I was I have an automatic right according to that publication but I now see they have added this

You can prove you have right of abode if you have a UK passport describing you as a British citizen or British subject with right of abode.

Oh but FL you are just being a PITA or just arguing for arguments sake.

Well actually that was my previous job to examine people entering Canada and the last 8 years putting forward cases to ask for non citizens to be removed from Canada so forgive me for arguing my case why I don’t think it was as well thought policy from my POV.

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

The Guardian: New UK border rules for dual nationals are discriminatory against women, campaigners say

- Women with both British and Spanish or Greek nationality may have problems as the airline could refuse boarding as the last name won't match in the passports (if you say you don't need an ETA and try and prove you are a British dual citizen).
- People who obtained Spanish nationality by residency and didn't renounce their British nationality could lose their Spanish nationality if Spain realises they didn't renounce their British nationality.
- Home Office seems unaware that names don't have to match in passports, as much as they'd like them to.

Additionally, I think:
- The same problems would happen with Portuguese nationality.
- The same problems would happen with men who obtain Spanish nationality and don't renounce British nationality (their last name on the Spanish passport is the father's surname followed by their mother's maiden name).

So, pointless problems where there were none before.

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

Stop using common sense man don't you know that died many years ago:sneaky:

By introducing problems that did not exist before I am sure there are jobs being kept in place and lawyers making money and of course the Govt is getting revenue from those who have to apply for a passport. All makes perfect sense.

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

Practically a u-turn...

Dual nationals could use expired UK passports to prove they are British, Home Office says

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

"But I threw it away"...