Airlines could accept expired passports from more than 1million passengers ahead of huge new rule change
NEW passport rules being introduced next week are set to affect 1.26million people – but airlines could allow passengers to avoid them.
Currently, dual citizens in the UK, whose other nationality is from a country not subject to a UK visa requirement, can travel into Britain using their foreign passport.
These rules are set to change from February 25, 2026.
From next Wednesday, dual citizens will need to show either a valid British passport, or a new digital certificate of entitlement to attach to their second nationality passport.
Without one of those, travellers could face being denied travel back to the UK.
Getting a British passport costs around £100 for an adult and on average takes between three and 10 weeks to obtain.
Meanwhile, the certificate of entitlement costs £589 and can take three to eight weeks to get.
As many as 1.26million people in England and Wales hold more than one passport and are expected to be affected.
However, the Home Office has now said that travellers may be able to enter the country with an expired British passport.
Due to the tight turnaround of the change in rules, the Home Office has now said that an expired British passport could be used as “alternative documentation.”
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.
“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 Home Office do “strongly recommend” travellers obtain a British passport or the Certificate of Entitlement for the “smoothest travel experience.”
One airline has heavily hinted that it will accept an expired passport as a form of ID.
Ryanair has suggested it may allow dual nationals to board if they can show other forms of proof that they are British.
It told The Independent that they had been advised by the government that “documents that can be accepted” include an expired British passport.
The airline also told The Times that they “will allow” a passenger to board a UK flight if they are “satisfied” that they are a British or Irish national – or other UK status.
This includes “passengers who hold an old stamp/vignette with indefinite leave to remain.”
Sun Travel has gone to Ryanair for additional comment.
On the GOV.UK website it says that valid documentation should be obtained before travelling to avoid problems like “being denied boarding” when travelling to the UK.
It adds that dual British citizens who don’t have valid British passport or certificate of entitlement will undergo “additional identity checks” and “will not be able to go through UK passport control until their British nationality is verified.”
On the same day of these new rules, ETAs will also become essential.
However British nationals and dual citizens with British or Irish citizenship are exempt from needing an ETA.
Here’s more on ETA rules and who is at risk from being banned from flights.
And here is the big difference between EES and ETIAS – along with everything you need to know about the new travel rules this year.
