
UK’s New Passport Rules Could Hit Dual Citizens With £1,000 Homecoming Price Tag
Stricter passport rules tied to the UK’s new digital border system could leave some travellers paying up to £1,000 to prove a right they already hold: the right to enter their own country. What Is Changing From 25 February 2026, British citizens who also hold another nationality will no longer be able to rely on travelling to the UK solely on a foreign passport, even if they have always done so in the past. Airlines will be required to verify a traveller’s British status before boarding, and carriers have been told they must refuse passengers who cannot show specific UK‑issued proof of citizenship or right of abode. The change is being introduced alongside the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which creates a digital pre‑screening requirement for many non‑visa nationals. British citizens are not eligible for an ETA when using a foreign passport, closing off a route that some dual



