affected

NEW passport rules are being introduced from today – and anyone breaking then could be banned from their flight.

From today (February 25), dual national passport holders can no longer use their foreign passport to enter the UK.

Affecting as many as 1.2million people who hold more than one passport in the UK, they must now use a valid British passport when arriving into the UK.

Anyone without this must instead have a certificate of entitlement, which costs £589.

Passengers trying to enter the country by plane, ferry or train without this risks being banned from travelling.

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.”

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Major airline rolls out strict new passport rule for Brits from TODAY

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New passport rules starting this week to affect more than one million people

Many have slammed the new rules, which were only announced earlier this month, for not allowing enough time for people living abroad to buy a new passport.

New British passports can take up to three weeks, while first time applications can take as long as 10 weeks.

The government suggested that airlines may allow passengers to travel with an expired passport, however this is at their own discretion.

A spokesperson told The Sun: “At their own discretion, carriers can accept an expired British passport as alternative documentation.”

Not only that, but it must be no older than an expiry of 1989 or later.

They also confirmed that anyone who previously held a British passport, but it has now expired, can instead get an emergency travel document to enter the UK instead.

The new rules are in line with the electronic travel authorisation (ETA), which has also launched from today.

Any non-British national must now may for the £16 ETA to enter the country.

Lasting up to six months, it will be required from people who are from destinations like Europe, the US and Australia.

Anyone who is a dual national cannot apply for an ETA under the new rules.

Brits will not need an ETA when returning to the UK.

Here are some other passport rules you need to be aware of.

And we explain how to apply for your child’s first passport.

Most UK visitors will need a key document to enter the UK, but this will depend on your nationality and reasons for travel

Travellers regularly encounter changes in regulations when navigating international borders. Now London Heathrow Airport has issued a reminder regarding new rules coming into force in days

Under the changes an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), will be a legal requirement for certain people from this month. This £16 fee allows travellers to enter the UK for tourism, family visits, and other purposes for up to six months.

On X, formerly Twitter, the major airport said this week: “Starting 25 February, whether your final destination is the UK or you are connecting via Heathrow, eligible visitors will need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). Find out more on http://GOV.UK.”

While most UK visitors will need an ETA or visa to enter the UK, this will depend on your nationality and reason for travel. For instance, an ETA is generally required if you’re coming from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada and certain other countries.

Each person travelling is required to have an ETA, including babies and children. So, for a family of four, you’ll likely need to pay £64 in total, while a family of six will typically pay £96. Visitors can apply for an ETA on behalf of other people.

Anyone who has a British or Irish passport, or has permission to work, live or study in the UK, will not need an ETA. According to official Government advice, other exemptions include:

It’s important to remember that having an ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. Those with a criminal record or who have previously been denied entry should consider applying for a Standard Visitor visa instead.

Beyond this, the UK Government highlights exactly what can and can’t be done with an ETA. For instance, the ETA allows:

Meanwhile, these five things are not permitted with an ETA:

• Staying in the UK for longer than six months
• Doing paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless you’re doing a permitted paid engagement or event or work on the Creative Worker visa concession
• Claiming public funds (benefits)
• Living in the UK through frequent or successive visits
• Marrying or registering a civil partnership, or giving notice of marriage or civil partnership – a Marriage Visitor visa is needed

Visitors can apply for the £16 ETA online or via the UK ETA app. To do so, they must have a passport, an email address, and a payment method, including Apple Pay and Google Pay. The payment is non-refundable once an application has been made.

For more information, head to GOV.UK here.