Days before tough new immigration rules are due to be imposed on dual citizens, the Home Office has suggested that an expired British passport could suffice for entry to the UK.
From 25 February 2026, the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) will be mandatory for all travellers arriving in the United Kingdom except for British and Irish citizens.
UK citizens are not allowed to apply for an ETA. Until now the government has insisted that only a valid British passport or a “Certificate of Entitlement” costing £589 will allow a dual citizen to be admitted.
Airlines and ferry companies are expected to enforce the new rules, and stand to be fined if they allow anyone to travel to the UK without proper documentation.
But now the Home Office has indicated that an expired British passport will be sufficient.
A Home Office spokesperson told The Independent: “At their own discretion, carriers can accept an expired British passport as alternative documentation.
“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.”
The Independent has asked for urgent confirmation that an airline which allows someone to travel to the UK on an expired British passport will not be penalised.
Ryanair, Europe’s biggest budget airline, told the Times: “We will allow a passenger to board a flight to the UK if we are satisfied that the passenger is a British national, an Irish national or is in possession of any other status in the UK, including passengers who hold an old stamp/vignette with indefinite leave to remain.
“Airlines are required to check that passengers of non-visa countries eligible for ETA have one. If passengers do not have an ETA, we are required to check any other document that may allow them to enter the UK.”
If it is the case that an expired British passport is acceptable, the revelation is likely to cause fury among dual citizens resident abroad who have been scrabbling to comply with the new rules by obtaining UK passports or relinquishing British citizenship.
The presumption was that people could be denied boarding a flight to the UK if they were British by birth or descent but did not have a valid passport or Certificate of Entitlement.
In June 2025, the Home Office minister Lord Hanson of Fleet told parliament: “There is no single specific legal requirement that a British citizen must travel on a British passport.
“However, primary legislation is clear that evidence of right of abode in the UK can only be demonstrated at the UK border through the production of either a British passport or other passport endorsed with a certificate of entitlement to the right of above.”
Read more: These are the rules dual citizens need to know
