Changes from end of February

That is unless they carry a valid British passport, it has been announced.

The Home Office has warned at a time of complaints from Brits who are living or travelling abroad, who have suddenly found themselves at risk of not being allowed to enter the country.

From February 25, the change in border controls means that everyone travelling to Britain will need permission to travel, unless they are a British or Irish citizen or are otherwise exempt.

For those who are visitors for short stays, an application is needed for an Electronic Travel Authorisation, which costs £16.

For the first time, dual nationals are obliged to show their British passport to travel to the UK or pay what many believe is a punitive price of £589 for a “certificate of entitlement”.

This should get attached to their second nationality passport in order to board a flight, ferry or train.

“From 25 February 2026, all dual British citizens will need to present either a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement to avoid delays at the border”, a Home Office spokesperson said.

According to the office, this was part of a digitisation programme to enable a “seamless travel experience”, while also giving the government “greater power to stop those who pose a threat from setting foot in the country and gives us a fuller picture of immigration”.