A group of UK citizens face getting a new passport or paying hundreds of pounds after a border change that comes in next week. Dual British nationals, including children, may be refused entry to the UK unless they possess a British passport, according to new regulations set to take effect later this month.

From February 25, those visiting the UK will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Travellers lacking an ETA will be barred from boarding their flight, ferry or train. British and Irish citizens, encompassing dual nationals, are exempt from this stipulation, but must comply with other criteria.

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What should dual nationals do when the ETA is introduced?

To journey to the UK, dual nationals will now need a valid British passport. Alternatively, they can shell out £589 for a certificate of entitlement to affix to their second nationality passport.

Previously, dual nationals could enter the UK using their non-British passport free of charge.

Dual nationals attempting to enter the UK solely with a foreign passport could encounter difficulties. While British citizens have a legal right of abode in the UK, travellers may face additional scrutiny while their status is confirmed.

They might also be prevented from boarding if they're unable to demonstrate their right of entry.

Why is there concern?

The Government unveiled these rules last year, but some dual nationals have claimed the changes were implemented at short notice and poorly communicated.

Concerns are mounting that holidays or business trips could be disrupted if individuals fail to secure a passport or certificate of entitlement in time.

Why have ETAs been introduced?

ETAs have been implemented as part of broader plans for a "more streamlined, digital immigration system" which the Government anticipates will be quicker and more secure for the millions who cross the UK border annually.

It's a digital travel authorisation – it's not a visa or a tax and merely grants an individual permission to journey to the UK.

Government officials assert that the roll-out of ETAs aligns with the strategies many other nations have adopted for border security, including the US and Australia.

Currently, an ETA costs £16 and allows multiple trips to the UK for visits of up to six months at a time over a two-year period. There are proposals to increase the fee to £20 in the future.

What has the Government said?

A Home Office spokesperson said: “From February 25, 2026, all dual British citizens will need to present either a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement when travelling to the UK. Without one, carriers cannot verify they are a British citizen, which may lead to delays or refused boarding.

“Public information advising dual nationals to carry the correct documentation has been available since October 2024 and a substantive communications campaign about the introduction of ETA has been running since 2023. This requirement applies to all British citizens regardless of other nationality and is the same approach taken by other countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia.”