Travel authority Simon Calder has issued an urgent alert to more than a million British citizens, warning of a significant shift in UK entry rules that takes effect in just six weeks.
What is Changing for Dual Nationals?
The critical change arrives on 25 February 2026. From that date, every individual who is not a British or Irish citizen will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. This new digital requirement applies to visitors from 85 visa-exempt nations, including the United States, Canada, and France.
However, the complication arises for the estimated 1.26 million people in England and Wales who hold dual nationality. In a video for The Independent, Calder explained the predicament: "If you are a British citizen but you choose to live abroad and use a foreign passport, you are currently entitled to come and go from the UK for short stays. But from the 25th of February, that will all change."
The Crucial Passport Rule You Must Know
The UK government mandates that if you are a British citizen, you cannot use an ETA linked to a foreign passport to enter the country. Instead, you must present one of two documents to travel legally to the UK.
The ideal and simplest solution is a valid British passport. Calder strongly advises those without one to apply promptly. The alternative is a Certificate of Right of Abode, but Calder notes this costs nearly £600 and expires when your foreign passport does, making it a less practical option.
"The British government says that if you have British citizenship... then you have to have one of two things," Calder stated. "Ideally, it will be a British passport. If you don't have one of those, well, I suggest you get one quickly."
Government Rationale and Travel Complications
Migration and Citizenship Minister Mike Tapp defended the ETA system, stating it grants the government 'greater power to stop those who pose a threat' and provides a fuller picture of immigration. The official line is that digitising the border ensures a 'more seamless travel experience' for millions of visitors.
Calder highlighted the logistical headache for dual nationals. Airlines will need proof of entry permission, best shown with a British passport. Yet, when returning to an EU or Schengen area country, you may need your foreign passport to avoid future EU travel authorisations (ETIAS).
He offered a final piece of advice, noting: "If you are lucky enough to have an Irish passport, then you are in the best possible situation, and you can come and go from Britain, anywhere in the European Union, or the Schengen area as often as you want without any bureaucracy at all."
With the February deadline looming, dual nationals planning UK travel are urged to check their documentation immediately to avoid being turned away at the border.
