NEW passport rules are causing chaos for more than one million people – and they start this week.
It was announced earlier this month that all dual national citizens will no longer be able to use their foreign passport to enter the UK.
Instead, from February 25, they must show their British passport to return to the country.
Anyone without one must instead pay for a “certificate of entitlement” that costs £589 and it attached to the passport.
Passengers trying to enter without either could face being banned from their flight and prevented from returning to the UK.
A Home Office spokesperson previously explained: “From February 25, 2026, all dual British citizens will need to present either a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement to avoid delays at the border.”
It is thought as many as 1.2million people across England and Wales currently hold more than one passport.
This works out to just over two per cent of the population.
Yet the new rules have sparked fury due to the lack of notice given.
Many people currently living abroad have slammed the change as it doesn’t allow enough time to order a new passport.
Dual national Kara Przybylski, from Brisbane, doesn’t have a British passport, and said: “It sucks for people who have flights booked, the government should have allowed more time before it comes into effect.”
The UK government said last week that an expired British passport could be used as “alternative documentation.”
Yet this is at the airline’s discretion, so could still risk families being turned away at the border.
A Home Office official told Sun Travel: “We recognise that this is a significant change for carriers and travellers, but we have been clear on requirements for dual British citizens to travel with a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement, in line with those for all British citizens.
“At their own discretion, carriers can accept an expired British passport as alternative documentation.
“Separately, individuals who have previously had a British passport can apply for an emergency travel document if they urgently need to enter the UK.
The new passport change is on the same day as the rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
Costing £16, any non-British or non-Irish tourists will have to pay the fee to enter the country, with it acting like a visa waiver.
Dual nationals are not able to apply for it.
Brits living in the UK will also not need an ETA, although will need an ETIAS later is travelling to Europe.
Set to start later this year (with a confirmed date yet to be announced) it will cost £17 and act like an American ESTA, lasting three years.
Here are some other passport rules that are still catching Brits out.
