From February 25, new passport and entry rules for the United Kingdom and Ireland will come into force, reshaping how millions of dual citizens travel. While the regulations are being implemented separately by London and Dublin, their combined effect has caused confusion and anxiety among dual nationals — particularly New Zealanders who also hold British or Irish citizenship and are planning trips in the coming months.
The most significant change is that British and Irish dual citizens will no longer be permitted to enter the UK using a passport issued by a third country, such as New Zealand. From that date, they must present either a valid British or Irish passport, or a foreign passport containing a UK-issued Certificate of Entitlement (COE). Without one of these documents, travellers will be denied boarding before they even reach the airport gate.
The rule has wide-ranging consequences because many New Zealanders with British or Irish heritage do not actively think of themselves as dual citizens. Under UK and Irish law, citizenship can be acquired automatically by birth or descent, even if no passport has ever been issued. That means some people may unknowingly fall under the new restrictions.
For those affected, the changes effectively force a choice: apply for or renew a British or Irish passport, pay for a Certificate of Entitlement in their New Zealand passport, or formally renounce their British citizenship. Each option comes with costs, processing times and long-term implications.
A Certificate of Entitlement is a vignette placed inside a foreign passport confirming the holder’s right of abode in the UK. It allows the person to live and work in Britain without time limits or immigration restrictions. However, it is not a one-off purchase. Every time the passport expires and is renewed, the COE must be applied for again.
The cost is a major deterrent. Applying for a COE from outside the UK or Ireland costs £589, roughly NZ$1,380, making it significantly more expensive over time than holding a UK passport. Applications are submitted online through official UK government channels.
Airlines are expected to enforce the new rules strictly. Carriers face fines if they transport passengers who lack the correct documents, meaning travellers without a British or Irish passport or COE are unlikely to even board a plane or ship bound for the UK after February 25.
Adding to the confusion is the rollout of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA. From the same date, most travellers from visa-waiver countries — including New Zealand and Australia — will need an ETA for short stays in the UK. The digital permit costs about NZ$37, applies to all travellers including children and babies, and is valid for two years or until the passport expires.
However, the ETA does not replace a passport or a COE for dual citizens. British passport holders, people with permission to live, work or study in the UK, and those holding a COE do not need an ETA. Nor is one required for passengers transiting through UK airports without passing border control. Travellers uncertain about their status are being urged to confirm requirements directly with airlines and official government websites.
Citizenship experts warn that misunderstandings are common. Associate Professor Dannielle Ireland-Piper of the Australian National University says dual citizenship is one of the most complex areas of international law.
“There is no internationally agreed rule about when someone is considered a citizen,” she explains. “Each country decides for itself, which makes it unpredictable. In a globalised world, people often have connections to multiple countries through ancestry, marriage or residency, and that creates legal grey areas.”
She advises anyone unsure of their status to rely only on official government sources, particularly websites with verified government domains, to avoid scams targeting confused travellers.
The UK allows dual citizenship, meaning British citizens can acquire another nationality without losing their British status unless they actively renounce it. People may be British citizens if they were born in the UK, if a parent was a British citizen at the time of their birth, or if they became a citizen of another country without formally giving up British nationality. In some cases, citizenship is passed down one generation automatically to children born overseas, leaving individuals unaware they are British citizens at all.
Ireland’s rules differ but are equally nuanced. Anyone born on the island of Ireland before 2005 is automatically an Irish citizen. Those born on or after January 1, 2005 may still be entitled to citizenship, depending on their parents’ residency history. Irish citizenship by descent does not always mean automatic citizenship, and authorities advise checking eligibility through embassies or official channels.
For those who decide they no longer want British citizenship, renunciation is possible but irreversible in many cases. Applicants must already hold or be guaranteed another citizenship. Renouncing British nationality can also affect the citizenship rights of future children, making it a decision that requires careful consideration.
With the February 25 deadline approaching, officials and experts alike are urging dual citizens to check their status early, apply for the correct documents, and allow ample time for processing. Failure to do so could mean missed flights, unexpected expenses, and disrupted travel plans at the border.
