UK passport changes and implications for EU passport holders

Phaelok

Hi everyone,

I am sure quite a few of you are aware of the upcoming changes for British dual nationals as per the link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2d9yk2kpjo I would be grateful for some clarification on the following;

I was born in the England have lived here all my life. I only have a French passport and have indefinite leave to remain. My mother was born in France and moved to England in the late 1970's. She also has a French passport and indefinite leave to remain.

Do we require a British passport or a certificate of entitlement to be allowed entry back to the UK once we have been on holiday?

What is rather confusing is the following copied from the link posted above (particularly the last sentence);

"These new rules for dual nationals are linked to the roll out of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system this month, a major immigration reform which will require visitors to the UK who do not have a visa to apply for a £16 entry document before arriving.

The government said it plans to increase the ETA fee to £20 in the future.

Dual nationals cannot apply for an ETA and must meet the new documentation requirements instead, with checks now carried out by airlines when departing en route back to the UK.

The new rules do not apply to Irish passport holders but other EU citizens will be affected."

Thank you in advance for your help.

Woodstok2000

It's not clear from your post if you have dual nationality, it sounds like you don't as you have indefinite leave to remain.

In Short though, the answer is yes, for those who have dual nationality but no British passport you have to pay £500, unlike foreign nationals who only pay £16. It's insane.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/18/when-dual-nationality-leads-to-double-trouble?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Phaelok

Thank you.

I don't have dual nationality. I have indefinite leave to remain. As I am resident in the UK, why do I require a British passport to return to the UK after travel? Seems utterly bizarre.

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891219#Comment_81891219

You don't. You just need your French passport and the £16 entry document.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891219#Comment_81891219

You can't have a British passport as you arent British.

You just enter using your French passport with the ILR. The ETA is for those exercising short term rights to enter the UK like a 30 day holiday or such. The complication is for those with a dual nationality (other than Irish) who want to enter and remain in the UK but only have a foreign passport. They dont want them using the short term ETA and then staying years and when finally traced point out they were a UK citizen the whole time.

Phaelok

Thanks for this.

Looking at the government website it states;

"An ETA is a digital permission to travel – it is not a visa or a tax and does not permit entry into the UK – it authorises a person to travel to the UK.

British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA.

Applying for an ETA is quick and simple. Most applicants currently get an automatic decision in minutes when applying through the UK ETA app. Visitors can find more information about applying for an ETA on GOV.UK

An ETA currently costs £16 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. Other application services may charge a higher fee than the UK Government."

The final paragraph is confusing as I reside in the UK. An ETA allows stays of up to six months, but I have indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Phaelok

In addition, it also states:

When you do not need an ETA

You do not need an ETA to travel to the UK if:

• you’re a British or Irish citizen
• you have a UK visa
• you have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode)
• you’re transiting through a UK airport and you will not pass through border control - check with your airline if you are not sure
• you’re travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport
• you’re travelling with a British National (Overseas) passport
• you live in Ireland and you’re travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
• you’re a child travelling on the France-UK school trip travel information form
• you’re exempt from immigration control or do not need to get permission to enter
• you’re waiting for a decision on your EU Settlement Scheme application

Woodstok2000

In that case you'll only need your French passport and proof of settled status.

flaneurs_lobster

Isn't an ILR an endorsement in your French passport? I'd have thought this has the same status as a UK visa (aka a "settlement visa") albeit without time limit and that therefore an ETA is not required.

Newbie_John

No, there's no info in the passport but probably something in computer systems when they check it.

Im in similar situation and never been questioned on the border.

I understand there's no change for EU people with settled status, no ETA, no Visas, no certificates.

It only applies to those with two citizenships who use non-UK passport to enter UK.

NoodleDoodleMan

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891812#Comment_81891812

It only applies to those with two citizenships who use non-UK passport to enter UK.

🙂