{"id":696965,"date":"2026-01-15T05:24:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T05:24:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/696965\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T05:24:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T05:24:17","slug":"how-new-passport-rules-for-uk-and-ireland-dual-citizens-will-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/696965\/","title":{"rendered":"How new passport rules for UK and Ireland dual citizens will work"},"content":{"rendered":"

From February 25 <\/strong>dual citizens of the UK and Ireland will have to follow new passport regulations, implemented by each country separately.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The changes have caused panic among many Australians with dual citizenship who plan to travel to the UK or Ireland in the next few months.<\/a><\/p>\n

Here’s how to make sure you won’t get caught out.<\/p>\n

What are the changes?Dual citizen’s trip with wife at risk amid UK passport change<\/a><\/p>\n

British Australian retiree Ian Fletcher is meant to be going on a seven-week holiday to the UK with his wife, Vicki, in April, but it may not go ahead due to passport changes.<\/p>\n

From February 25 British\/Irish dual citizens will be prevented from entering the UK using a passport from a different country, such as an Australian passport.<\/p>\n

They will need to use their valid British or Irish passport or another valid passport containing a certificate of entitlement (COE).<\/p>\n

This means dual citizens will have to choose whether to pay for a British passport, the COE or renounce their British citizenship.<\/p>\n

This has created many complications because British nationals and Irish nationals who have Australian passports or Australian citizenship are usually counted as dual citizens unless they renounce their Irish\/UK citizenship.<\/p>\n

If they have just decided to keep an Australian passport they will now need a COE or to renew a British or Irish passport.<\/p>\n

What is a certificate of entitlement?<\/p>\n

A COE is a document placed in a foreign passport to prove the passport holder has the right to stay in the UK.<\/p>\n

It allows you to live and work in the country without immigration restrictions or a time limit.<\/p>\n

Every time your passport is renewed your COE will need to be as well.<\/p>\n

How much is a certificate of entitlement?<\/p>\n

The COE is an expensive option, costing 589 pounds ($1,180) when applied for outside the UK or Ireland.<\/p>\n

You can apply for a certificate of entitlement online here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you do not have a British passport or a COE you will not be able to board a plane or ship to the UK on or after February 25.<\/p>\n

Commercial airlines will likely be fined if they allow someone with incorrect documents to enter the country.<\/p>\n

Is a COE different to an ETA?<\/p>\n

From February 25<\/strong> most travellers to the UK from visa-exempt countries for tourism or short stays, such as Australia and the US, will be required to have an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).<\/p>\n

The digital permit is required for those entering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It will cost about $32<\/strong> and applies to babies and children as well.<\/p>\n

Travellers will soon have to pay to enter the UK. What you need to know<\/a><\/p>\n

An approved permit is valid for two years <\/strong>or until the holder’s passport expires, and you can travel to the UK as much as you like during that time.<\/p>\n

The UK’s Home Office advises the quickest way to apply for an ETA is via the UK ETA app<\/strong> available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.<\/p>\n

If you are a British passport holder, have permission to live, work or study in the UK or have a COE you do not need an ETA<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You do not need it if you are transitioning through a UK airport and you will not pass through border control.<\/p>\n

Check with your airline if you are not sure.<\/p>\n

You can find more information about ETA applications and requirements here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Applications are usually approved within 24 hours.<\/p>\n

How do I check my citizenship status?<\/p>\n

Dannielle Ireland-Piper is an associate professor and citizenship expert at the Australian National University and says the concept of dual citizenship can be very complex.<\/p>\n

“Basically the issue is that international law is actually neutral to a grant of citizenship and what that means is there is no internationally agreed rule as to when a person can be designated a citizen, granted a citizenship or naturalised as a citizen,” she said.<\/p>\n

“So the effect of that is it is unpredictable to work out when you are a citizen and you aren’t because there are not internationally agreed upon rules.”<\/p>\n

Dr Ireland-Piper says it is up to each nation to determine who is its citizen, and historically we’ve seen that play out in Australia where MPs had to work out whether they were a citizen or may have had the status and not been aware of it<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“So to figure out if you are a British citizen you have to follow the British system to work it out,” she said.<\/p>\n

“That can create complications in a world where we’re hyper-connected, which means we often have a relationship or connection to more than one country through ancestry, marriage or residency.”<\/p>\n

Dr Ireland-Piper says it is vital that passengers follow official channels such as UK government websites with a government URL to avoid getting scammed.<\/p>\n

How do I know if I am a dual UK citizen?<\/p>\n

Many countries do not allow dual citizenship but the UK does.<\/p>\n

This means you can apply for a foreign citizenship and keep your British citizenship.<\/p>\n

This means that existing British citizens can apply for a foreign citizenship without forfeiting their rights in the UK.<\/p>\n

Additionally, you may be considered a UK citizen, even if you hold foreign citizenship elsewhere, if you:<\/p>\n