Key takeaways
British passport now required
Dual nationals must show British citizenship, not just a foreign passport.
Airlines strengthen verification checks
Carriers may deny boarding without acceptable British citizenship proof.
Proof of exemption needed
UK passport or COE (Certificate of Entitlement) required to confirm exemption from ETA rules.
The UK has not changed the legal rules on dual nationality, and British citizens continue to hold the right of abode by law. However, from 25 February 2026, the Home Office and UK carriers will apply much stricter pre departure checks due to the expansion of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and digital immigration status systems. As a result, dual nationals travelling on a foreign passport without separate evidence of British citizenship risk being denied boarding before departure, even though they are legally British.
The shift reflects tightening carrier level verification processes designed to prevent airlines from transporting passengers without the required visa, ETA or exemption.
This is not a change in nationality rights, but a change in how those rights must be proven.
Why the UK is introducing stricter proof requirements
A shift to digital border control
The UK is rolling out:
The ETA system for non visa nationals, and
A digital Right of Abode / eves platform for citizens and residents.
Carriers must confirm that every passenger:
Holds a visa, or
Holds an ETA, or
Is exempt, including British citizens — but only if British citizenship is evidenced.
If a dual national presents only a foreign passport:
Airlines cannot verify ETA eligibility (British citizens cannot obtain an ETA).
The traveller appears in airline systems as lacking travel permission.
Boarding is refused to avoid airline penalties.
The legal position: the right of abode has not changed
According to the House of Commons Library (Jan 2026):
There is no law requiring British citizens to travel on a UK passport.
However, in practice, pre departure checks make it “difficult to travel to the UK without one”.
British dual nationals must show either:
A current British passport, or
A Certificate of Entitlement (Right of Abode).
These documents prove exemption from immigration control under the Immigration Act 1971.
What dual nationals must do from 25 February 2026
Option 1: Travel with a valid UK passport (recommended)
This is the simplest method:
Guarantees immediate recognition of British citizenship.
Avoids ETA requirements entirely.
Prevents carrier system misclassification.
Option 2: Use a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode
For those unable to obtain a UK passport in time:
A Certificate of Entitlement (COE) can be attached to (or digitally linked to) the foreign passport.
From 26 February 2026, COEs become digital, stored in a UKVI eVisa account.
COEs exempt British citizens from ETA requirements and are recognised by carriers.
However, COEs are more expensive and historically time consuming.
Practical implications for travellers and employers
Travel disruption risk
Reports from 2025–2026 indicate dual nationals increasingly face:
Refused boarding
Delays while proving British citizenship
Confusion at check in desks
Large global impact
An estimated 1.2 million dual British nationals abroad will be affected, including over 650,000 in Australia.
Children born abroad
Children with automatic British citizenship but no UK passport will also need a UK passport or COE to travel.
Employer risk
Businesses may face:
Stranded employees
Interrupted travel for cross border assignments
Need for immediate documentation audits
Frequently misunderstood points
“The UK changed the law on dual nationality.” → False
UK nationality law is unchanged. The update concerns pre departure verification, not citizenship rights.
“Dual nationals can still show their foreign passport.” → Not after 25 Feb 2026
Foreign passports alone will not trigger the British exemption in carrier systems.
“This affects only certain countries.” → False
It affects all British dual nationals, especially from non visa nations such as the EU, US, Australia, Canada, Japan and others.
What dual nationals should do next
Immediate actions
Check the validity of your UK passport and renew if necessary.
If urgent travel is required and no UK passport is available, apply for a Certificate of Entitlement.
Ensure your passport details match your UKVI digital account once COEs transition to digital form on 26 February 2026.
For employers
Audit employee documents for dual nationals.
Update travel risk protocols.
Issue internal guidance on needing a UK passport or COE for business trips.
How Hill Dickinson can support
Our Immigration & Mobility team advises clients — including globally mobile executives, HR teams, and individuals — on:
British nationality assessments and dual citizenship issues
Passport and COE eligibility
Managing employer travel risk
Navigating ETA, eVisa and digital border requirements
For further guidance, please contact Ezequiel T. Condoluci Santa Maria.
