UK Dual Citizenship: How it Works and How to Apply in 2026

The UK recognises and permits dual citizenship, meaning you can hold British citizenship along with another nationality without needing to apply for a special dual status. However, new travel rules coming into effect on 25 February 2026 will change how dual nationals enter the country.

If you are a British citizen, you must travel to the UK using a valid British or Irish passport, or a foreign passport that includes a certificate confirming your right to live in the UK. This means UK citizens who normally travel on a non-UK passport will no longer be able to enter the UK as visitors and can be denied entry at the border. 

This article explains the new UK travel rules, who can apply for UK dual citizenship, the requirements, the application process, and the visas that can lead to British nationality. 

UK Dual Citizenship: Key Takeaways

• The UK allows dual citizenship, meaning you can hold a British passport and keep another nationality at the same time without renouncing either.
• Travel rules are changing on 25 February 2026. UK dual nationals must enter the UK using a valid British or Irish passport, or a foreign passport with proof of the right to live in the UK, or they risk being denied boarding or entry.
• Dual citizens can live, work, study, and retire in the UK indefinitely and access public services like the NHS and state pensions. A UK passport also gives access to 130 visa-free countries and ranks 8th on the Global Passport Index by Global Citizen Solutions. 
• To apply for UK citizenship, you must have lived in the UK for at least five years, or three years if married to a British citizen, and meet the other naturalisation requirements.
• You must have held Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or EU Settled Status for at least 12 months before applying, unless you are married to a British citizen, then you can apply as soon as you receive ILR.
• It will take about 6 months to obtain UK citizenship and become a dual national. 

Yes, the United Kingdom allows dual citizenship, which means you can be a British citizen and hold a passport from another country at the same time. You are not required to renounce your initial nationality when you become a British citizen, nor do you have to give up your UK passport to get another one.

No, the legal right to hold dual nationality has not changed. You can still legally be both British and a citizen of another country. However, the travel rules for dual nationals are changing from 25 February 2026.

Starting on that date, the UK is strictly enforcing a new digital border system called the ETA. This will create a bit of a hurdle for dual nationals without a British passport.

Before, dual citizens, such as British Americans or British Australians, entered the UK using their non-British passports. But from 25 February 2026, doing this might lead to being denied boarding at the airport. This is because all non-UK visa travelers now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to fly to the UK, but British citizens cannot apply for an ETA. If a British citizen travels with only a foreign passport without an ETA, airline systems may flag them as not authorized to travel, which can prevent them from boarding.

Those most affected by these travel rules will be UK citizens who hold only a foreign passport and have no proof of British citizenship. This will be an issue because without a UK passport, they will not be a way for them to enter the UK legally, since they cannot get an ETA and will be denied if they try to fly or boat to the United Kingdom. 

If you were born outside the UK to British parents and have never held a British passport, UK law requires you to register your citizenship and get a British passport before travelling to the UK. So, the best way to avoid problems is to first check whether your citizenship is recorded; if not, you can try traveling with a foreign passport and getting an ETA. 

For UK citizens with a British passport, they only need to ensure their passport is valid and that they use it both when leaving and entering the country.

• Travel freedom and two passports: As someone holding British dual citizenship, you are entitled to travel with two passports, either your British passport and that of your other country, which gives you access to more visa-free countries.
• Residence and work rights: You can travel to the UK, work and live there indefinitely without needing visas or residence permits.
• British passport benefits: Having just a UK passport alone is a major benefit as it is regarded as one of the most powerful ones, ranking in the top 8 on our Global Passport Index, and gives access to 130 visa-free countries. 
• Access to services: As a British citizen, you qualify for public services including NHS Healthcare, state pensions, public education for children, and Home Office protections abroad. Having access to two national systems can be especially useful in times of crisis.
• Inheritance and descent rights: Dual citizens usually have more rights for inheritance and bringing family together, and in many cases, you can pass UK citizenship to your children, especially if you did not acquire citizenship by descent.
• Cultural and economic ties: Dual nationality allows you to maintain ties to your country of origin while fully integrating into British society. This is particularly important for those who have family, cultural roots, or business interests in more than one nation.

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To get a British passport as your second nationality, you must meet these five main requirements:

1. Residency: You must have lived in the UK for at least five years; this can go down to 3 years if you are married to a British citizen.
2. Permanent status: You must have held Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or EU Settled Status, which is possible through the Settlement Scheme, for at least 12 months before applying. Those married to a British citizen can apply as soon as they receive ILR Status.
3. Presence test: You must have been physically present in the UK for exactly 5 years, or 3 years if married, before the day the Home Office receives your application. You cannot have spent more than 450 days outside the UK in the last 5 years or 270 days in the last three years.
4. Knowledge of language & life: Applicants are required to pass the Life in the UK Test and to prove they can speak English and demonstrate listening skills at least at the B1 level.
5. Good character: Applicants also need to have a clean criminal record and not have breached any immigration laws.

• Step 1: Check your eligibility: Make sure you qualify and meet the residency requirements, such as living in the UK for five years, or three years if you are married to a British citizen.
• Step 2: Take the required tests: The Life in the UK Test is a 45-minute computer-based exam covering British history and customs. You must also prove your English language ability at B2 level either through an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) or a UK-recognised degree taught in English.
• Step 3: Prepare documents and referees: You will need two referees who have known you for at least three years. One must be a person of professional standing, such as a teacher, accountant, or solicitor. The second must be a British citizen, either a professional or someone aged 25 or over.
• Step 4: Apply and pay the fees: Applications are submitted online using Form AN on the UK government website. The total fee is £1,735, which includes the naturalisation application and the mandatory citizenship ceremony. After applying, you must book a UKVCAS appointment to provide your fingerprints and a digital photo.
• Step 5: Attend the citizenship ceremony: If your application is approved, which will usually happen within six months, you will be invited to a citizenship ceremony. At the ceremony, you will swear an oath of allegiance, receive your Certificate of Naturalisation, and officially become a dual citizen.

Applying for British citizenship as an adult through naturalisation costs £1,735, which covers a £1,605 application fee and a £130 fee for the citizenship ceremony. For children under 18, the registration fee is usually £1,214. Other expenses include £50 for the Life in the UK Test and roughly £150 for English language tests.

The answer depends mainly on your original country. The UK does not require you to inform them if you get a second passport. But your home country might need you to ask for permission before you even apply. In the case that you do not inform your home country, if required, you might lose your original citizenship the moment you become a British citizen.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.