Dual citizenship often comes with privileges—flexibility in travel, expanded residency options, and multiple legal protections. However, as of July 2025, the UK has introduced major digital travel changes that every dual citizen needs to understand. One of the biggest changes is the UK's move to fully digital visas and entry documents, replacing traditional passport visa stickers with online status checks. This transition includes the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which directly affects how you enter or transit through the UK.
For dual nationals, especially those who hold British and non-British passports, this change isn’t just technical—it could impact your ability to board a flight or enter the country at all. If you attempt to travel on the wrong passport or without the proper digital link to your identity, you could be stopped from boarding altogether.
Whether you’re planning a holiday, returning to the UK, or passing through, here’s everything you need to know to stay compliant, avoid delays, and protect your travel rights in 2025.
What Is the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and Who Needs It?
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a new entry requirement for individuals who do not need a visa to enter the UK. Think of it like the American ESTA or Canadian eTA. As of 2025, travelers from most countries must apply for an ETA before boarding a UK-bound flight if they do not hold a UK or Irish passport.
Each ETA is valid for two years (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first) and allows multiple visits, provided your stay in the UK is less than six months at a time. The application costs £10 to £16 and can be completed online or via the UK ETA app. You’ll need a valid passport, a recent photo, and to answer some security and travel-related questions.
But here's where dual citizenship becomes tricky. If you're a British citizen but try to travel using your foreign passport, the system may flag you as needing an ETA—unless your UK citizenship is digitally confirmed. This is especially common with dual nationals who use their EU or US passport out of convenience.
New Rule: Digital Status Check Required for Entry into the UK
Under the 2025 changes, UK immigration has adopted a fully digital border management system. This means immigration officers will no longer rely solely on passport stamps or visa stickers. Instead, travelers must ensure their immigration status is linked to their travel document.
For dual nationals, this could mean needing to create an online UKVI account and linking your British citizenship to your foreign passport if you plan to travel with it. Failure to do this could lead to denied boarding, even if you legally have the right to enter the UK.
This poses serious implications for those who have expired British passports but current foreign passports. Even though you’re legally a British citizen, the system won’t recognize your rights unless your status is properly recorded digitally.
What This Means for Dual UK and EU Citizens
Many UK nationals also hold passports from EU countries, especially Irish, Polish, French, or Italian citizenship. Pre-Brexit, these travelers could freely use either passport to enter and exit the UK and the EU without issue. Post-Brexit, however, rules have shifted—and with the ETA scheme now covering EU citizens (excluding Irish nationals), using your EU passport to enter the UK may no longer be seamless.
If you are both a UK and EU citizen, and you try to enter the UK on your EU passport, you'll likely be asked for an ETA or refused boarding unless your British citizenship is registered online. The safest path? Always travel on your British passport when entering the UK.
This change may especially affect frequent EU–UK travelers, students, or workers who cross borders often and may be unaware of these requirements.
What If My British Passport Is Expired? Can I Still Enter?
Technically, if you are a British citizen, you have the unrestricted right to enter the UK. However, if your passport is expired, and you’re trying to travel on your non-UK passport, airlines may refuse to let you board—even if you have legal rights to enter.
In 2025, boarding systems check passengers against UK immigration data. If your British status isn’t linked to the foreign passport you're using, it may show that you need an ETA, causing delays or refusal.
To avoid this:
- Renew your British passport before traveling.
- Or create a UKVI digital account and link your British citizenship to your foreign passport.
- Carry proof of citizenship, if available, though this is not always accepted at check-in.
🔗 Renew a UK passport
Traveling with Children Who Are Dual Citizens: Extra Steps You Must Take
Parents traveling with children who are dual nationals also need to be cautious. If your child is a British citizen but holds only a foreign passport, they could be blocked from boarding unless their British status is confirmed digitally. In 2025, border technology checks travel documents against immigration status databases.
To prevent disruption:
- Apply for or renew your child’s British passport well before your travel date.
- If your child holds only a foreign passport, register their British citizenship with UKVI online and get documentation proving their status.
This is especially important for mixed-nationality families living abroad or relocating back to the UK. Being proactive ensures smoother re-entry and avoids potential heartache at the airport.
Can Dual Citizens Use Their Foreign Passport to Transit Through the UK?
Transit passengers are also affected by these new digital border controls. If you are a dual citizen using your non-UK passport to transit through Heathrow or Gatwick, you may need an ETA, even if you’re not leaving the airport. This is especially the case if you're arriving from or connecting to countries outside the Common Travel Area.
As of July 2025, most foreign passport holders transiting through the UK must have either a valid UK visa or ETA, depending on their nationality. If you are a UK citizen, but your British passport is expired or not in use, and you're transiting on another passport, this could cause major delays or denial.
It’s recommended that you carry and use your British passport whenever possible, even just for connecting flights. Don’t assume your right to transit will be honored without digital documentation.
Key Tips to Avoid Travel Disruptions as a Dual Citizen in 2025
To avoid being caught off guard at the airport or denied entry, dual citizens should follow these critical tips:
- Always travel with your British passport when entering the UK.
- If you must use a foreign passport, ensure your British status is digitally registered.
- Create a UKVI account to manage and prove your right to enter or live in the UK.
- Renew expired documents at least 8–12 weeks before travel.
- Make sure your airline has accurate information about your UK citizenship status.
- If traveling with children, make sure their citizenship is documented and up to date.
With digital borders now active, being unprepared can lead to delays, denied boarding, or unexpected immigration checks.
Conclusion: Stay Digitally Prepared and Travel with Confidence
The 2025 travel updates in the UK represent a fundamental shift in how immigration and border control are managed. For dual citizens, particularly those with both British and foreign passports, the risks of misunderstanding the new system are high—but also avoidable.
By preparing your documents, registering your status, and understanding when and how to use your British passport, you can ensure smooth travel whether you’re heading home, on holiday, or transiting through the UK.