Do dual nationals need an ETA or British passport?
From 25 February 2026, dual nationals must use a British passport or Certificate of Entitlement to enter the UK. Find out what you need based on your circumstances.
From 25 February 2026, the rules for dual nationals travelling to the UK have changed. If you hold British citizenship alongside another citizenship, you will no longer be able to use a non-British passport to enter the UK. You must travel using a British passport, an Irish passport, or hold a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode.
If you're a dual national, or think you might be, this guide will help you work out exactly where you stand and what you need to do.
Do dual nationals need an ETA for the UK?
If you were born in the UK
- Born before 1 January 1983
You are a British citizen, unless your parents were diplomats at the time of your birth. You need a British passport to travel to the UK. - Born on or after 1 January 1983
You are a British citizen if at least one of your parents was a British citizen or was settled in the UK when you were born. You need a British passport. - Born between 1 January 1983 and 30 June 2006, to a British or settled father who was not married to your mother
You are not automatically a British citizen and do not have the Right of Abode. In most cases you can register as a British citizen (we can help with this) or you can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in the meantime. - Born on or after 1 July 2006, to a British father who was not married to your mother
You are a British citizen. You need a British passport.
See also: New UK ETA requirements affect Australian and New Zealand dual British citizens
If you were born outside the UK
- Born on or after 1 January 1983, to a British mother
You are a British citizen. You need a British passport. - Born before 1 January 1983, to a UK-born mother
You normally have the Right of Abode, though this is not the same as automatic British citizenship. You need a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in order to travel to the UK. The good news is that this is now a digital document and only needs to be applied for once. - Born on or after 1 January 1983, to a British father, and your parents were married at the time of your birth.
You are a British citizen. You need a British passport. - Born between 1 January 1983 and 30 June 2006, to a British or settled father who was not married to your mother
You are not British and do not have the Right of Abode. You can usually register as a British citizen or apply for an ETA. - Born before 1 January 1983, to a UK-born father, and your parents were married at the time of your birth
You are normally a British citizen. You need a British passport.
What should you do next?
The steps depend on your situation:
If you are a British citizen, make sure you always travel to the UK using your British passport. If yours has expired or you've never applied for one, now is the time to renew or apply – don’t wait until travel plans are in place.
If you have the Right of Abode rather than citizenship, you need to apply for a Certificate of Entitlement. This is now a digital document, and once it's in place, you won't need to apply again.
If you're unsure about your status – perhaps because of questions around your parents' marriage, exact birth dates, or how nationality was passed down – don’t guess. The rules are detailed, and the consequences of travelling on the wrong document matter. Get in touch with us, and we'll check your situation properly.
How we can help
Our team specialises in British citizenship, registration, and Right of Abode applications. Whether you need help establishing your status, applying for a British passport for the first time, or securing a Certificate of Entitlement, we make the process straightforward from start to finish.