British citizens, including dual nationals, have the automatic right of abode in the UK – meaning they can live, work and enter the UK without restriction – but must be able to prove this when travelling. Irish nationals do not need to apply for an ETA and can travel freely between the UK and Ireland thanks to the Common Travel Area. From 25 February 2026, British and Irish dual nationals were no longer be able to travel to the UK using their non-British/Irish passport alone, but updated Home Office guidance has introduced some flexibility for British nationals holding an expired passport.
British dual nationals must present a valid British passport (or certificate of entitlement)
Alternative documents (such as an expired British passport or a citizenship certificate) are not generally accepted for travel purposes. Recognising that this is a significant change for carriers and travellers, the Home Office has just updated the guidance.
On this basis, carriers can temporarily decide to accept other documents as proof of citizenship. In particular, travellers may be able to travel with British expired passports issued in 1989 or later, alongside a valid non-visa national third country passport where biographic details match. It is an operational decision whether carriers accept alternative proof, and if so, what alternative proof they will accept. In line with current practice, on arrival at the UK border, Border Force will still assess a person’s suitability to enter the UK and conduct additional checks if required.
We strongly recommend that passengers obtain a valid British/Irish passport or Certificate of Entitlement to ensure the smoothest travel experience. Emergency travel documents may be available in urgent cases, but access can be limited, particularly for individuals who have not held a British passport for many years. Alternatively, if the travellers hold an expired passport meeting the conditions described above, we strongly recommend contacting the airline prior to any travel, to ensure the documents will be accepted.
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Lindsey Barras
Partner
Scherezade Maestre
Director
Awale Olad
Senior Manager
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Vialto Partners (“Vialto”) refers to wholly owned subsidiaries of CD&R Galaxy UK OpCo Limited as well as the other members of the Vialto Partners global network. The information contained in this document is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Vialto is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Vialto, its related entities, or the agents or employees thereof be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
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