New UK Passport Rules Force British Dual Citizens to Cancel Family Holidays and Spark Travel Chaos at Airports Across the United Kingdom

Families who had been counting down to long-awaited reunions and summer breaks are suddenly tearing up itineraries.

A fresh border policy that kicked in on February 25 has left thousands of British dual citizens scrambling — and in some cases, cancelling their trips altogether.

Under the updated travel requirements tied to the UK’s expanding Electronic Travel Authorisation system, dual nationals — including children and even babies — must now present a valid British passport when entering the UK.

That applies whether they’re arriving by plane, ferry or train.

If they don’t have one, they’re expected to apply for either a new passport or a “certificate of entitlement,” which comes with a staggering £589 fee.

Officials estimate around 1.2 million British citizens worldwide could feel the impact.

The Cost of Coming “Home”

For Lynne and Geoff Crellin, who left Britain in the 1970s and now live in Ontario, Canada, what was meant to be a sentimental return to their roots may no longer happen.

The couple had carefully planned a three-day summer visit to London — a nostalgic trip they described as a “trip of a lifetime.”

But there’s one problem: neither holds a current British passport.

To comply with the new rule, they would need to renew their UK passports at around £200 each.

For a short stay, Geoff says it simply doesn’t add up.

After facing medical setbacks that forced them to cancel UK visits in the past, the added bureaucracy now feels like the final straw.

He admitted that cancelling the trip may be the least stressful — and most cost-effective — option.

“I’ve Never Lived There” — The Shock for Inherited Citizens

The ripple effect stretches far beyond retirees.

One Australian man, born in the Democratic Republic of Congo to British parents, says he was blindsided by the change.

Although he has lived his entire life in Australia and has never held a British passport, he technically qualifies as British through his father.

That technicality now matters.

Planning a holiday to Britain next year, he was stunned to learn he may need to show a British passport — despite never having identified as British in daily life.

He described the situation as shocking, adding that he has no interest in holding a British passport but now faces either paying the certificate fee or reconsidering his travel plans entirely.

Many people who inherited British citizenship by descent never realised it would complicate holiday travel decades later.

Parents Caught in the Middle

The rule is also catching families with children off guard.

Rebecca, a dual national who relocated to France in 2006, is now dealing with an unexpected hurdle involving her 15-year-old son.

He has always travelled on his French passport and has never needed a British one.

But to visit his grandmother in the UK this summer, Rebecca now needs to apply for a British passport for him — costing £70 plus postage.

For some families, that’s manageable. For others, it isn’t.

Rebecca says she knows several mothers in France who are in the same position but simply cannot afford the extra expense.

As a result, UK family visits are being shelved.

Why the Government Says It’s Necessary

Immigration experts argue the government’s logic is administrative clarity.

As the UK finalises its Electronic Travel Authorisation rollout — similar in concept to systems used by countries like the United States and Canada — border checks are becoming more automated and data-driven.

Lisa Uttley, immigration partner at Gherson Solicitors LLP, described the change as “uncompromising” but explained the reasoning: airlines and border officials need a simple way to distinguish between visitors who require permission and citizens who have an automatic right of entry.

Requiring dual nationals to use a British passport eliminates grey areas at check-in desks and boarding gates.

In theory, it prevents confusion and reduces the risk of travellers being denied boarding because their status isn’t clear in the system.

Still, critics argue that what may be tidy from a systems perspective feels punishing from a human one.

A Small Lifeline — With No Guarantees

There is, however, a partial workaround.

The Home Office has reportedly told airlines they may accept expired British passports — even those issued as far back as 1989 — at their discretion, provided the traveller also holds a valid foreign passport.

The key phrase here is “at their discretion.”

Some airlines may allow it; others may refuse.

There’s no blanket guarantee.

Travellers are being urged to check directly with their carrier before departure.

What the Government Is Saying

The Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, defended the change as part of a broader push to strengthen UK border security and modernise entry systems.

He stressed that the ETA scheme is designed to deliver a more efficient and secure process for both visitors and British citizens.

Officials also note that Border Force officers retain authority to conduct checks upon arrival, regardless of documentation.

Another important detail: if you’re travelling with two passports, the personal information — including name, date of birth and place of birth — must match exactly.

Any discrepancies could cause delays or denial of boarding.

Impact and Consequences

The immediate fallout is emotional and financial.

Family reunions are being postponed.

Retirees are reconsidering sentimental trips.

Parents are facing unexpected paperwork and fees.

Airlines are navigating inconsistent discretion rules.

Longer term, tourism groups warn the UK risks losing casual visitors who simply don’t want the hassle.

For dual nationals who have lived abroad for decades, the rule feels less like security and more like bureaucracy.

There’s also a psychological layer.

Many affected individuals don’t strongly identify as British but now find themselves pulled into formal citizenship obligations they never anticipated.

What’s Next?

As the ETA system becomes fully embedded, clarity may improve — but flexibility seems unlikely.

Airlines may standardise their approach to expired passports, and clearer communication from the Home Office could ease confusion.

Still, the core requirement — that dual citizens must enter on a British passport — is not expected to change anytime soon.

For those planning UK trips, the safest option is straightforward: renew the passport early or confirm documentation well before travel.

Summary

A rule intended to streamline border control has unexpectedly disrupted family holidays and sentimental journeys.

Dual nationals who once breezed through UK entry using their foreign passports now face renewal fees, certificate costs or difficult travel decisions.

The message from authorities is simple: British citizens must prove their citizenship in the correct format.

But for many families abroad, that “format” comes with stress, surprise expenses and, in some cases, cancelled plans.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Dual British citizens must now present a valid British passport to enter the UK.
• The rule applies to adults, children and even babies.
• A certificate of entitlement costs £589 if no UK passport is held.
• Around 1.2 million people may be affected.
• Expired British passports may be accepted by airlines, but only at their discretion.
• Mismatched details between passports can cause boarding problems.
• Some families are cancelling holidays due to added cost and stress.
• The change is part of the broader Electronic Travel Authorisation rollout.