Ryanair may allow dual British nationals to travel to UK without UK passport despite ETA rules
Airlines must carry out checks before boarding to ensure passengers have right to enter UK
Entry requirements to the UK will become tougher from February 25
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Low-cost carrier Ryanair may let UK dual nationals without a current UK passport / certificate of entitlement travel on board its aircrafts, despite tougher incoming rules around the UK’s visa waiver system, UK media The Guardian has reported.
From February 25, checks on passengers will be stricter and airlines will be asked to ensure that travellers either have a valid ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) or hold another valid document before they are allowed to board.
However a UK or Irish national should not apply for an ETA even if they also have another country’s nationality (such as French). They therefore require either a UK passport or a certificate of entitlement to visit the UK.
If passengers do not have a necessary document, airlines must deny them boarding or risk a fine.
According to rules set out by the UK Home Office, passengers entering the UK must have either:
Other would-be entrants will need to show proof of their right to live in the UK through a valid visa or residency card or to visit the UK through a short-stay visa where needed, or must apply for an ETA prior to travel – rules can be found here.
Previously, leniency has been shown for British dual citizens without a UK passport, some of whom have been able to travel on their non-UK document, for example a French passport if they are dual nationality British/French.
However, UK authorities have recommended holders of UK/Irish documents ensure they possess up to date and valid versions of these documents to enter the UK.
Recently, the UK Home Office confirmed British dual nationals would only be allowed to enter the UK via their UK passport or a certificate of entitlement and not by requesting an ETA on their third-nation passport.
A certificate of entitlement costs £589 if applying for one outside of the UK, and can take up to three weeks to arrive.
The move has been criticised by travel agent and tour operator body ABTA.
“While the government’s advice for UK citizens is to either get a passport or certificate of entitlement for travel beyond 25 February, it is clear there will need to be a period during which carriers must allow people to board with alternative proof,” said ABTA director of public affairs Luke Petherbridge.
Ryanair challenges policy
Budget carrier Ryanair has come out against the stricter measures.
The airline said it may accept dual nationals who have neither a UK passport/certificate of entitlement nor an ETA, providing they can prove they are British nationals through another document.
The Guardian reports that when asked if those with foreign passports without ETAs could board if they had another document to show they were British, Ryanair said: “We will allow a passenger to board a flight to the UK if we are satisfied that the passenger is a British national, an Irish national or is in possession of any other [appropriate] status in the UK, including passengers who hold an old stamp/vignette with indefinite leave to remain,” the airline said.
Ryanair said the UK rules state that from February 25 “airlines are required to check that passengers of non-visa countries eligible for ETA have one. If passengers do not have an ETA, we are required to check any other document that may allow them to enter the UK.”
“If a dual national claims to be British but cannot present a British passport, Ryanair will need to contact the UK government’s carrier support hub to verify their identity and confirm eligibility to travel – they will decide,” the airline added.
Despite the airline’s relative leniency on the matter, visitors may still be flagged by border authorities upon arrival, as failing to possess any of the required documentation and may still face challenges entering the UK.
“All British citizens have the right of abode in the UK (meaning, the entitlement to live or work in the UK without any immigration restrictions). This makes them exempt from immigration control. They don’t need an immigration officer’s permission to enter the UK, but they must be able to demonstrate that they have the right of abode,” said a briefing from the UK House of Commons in January 2026, prior to the incoming rules.
It remains unclear how a British citizen would be able to state their citizenship to authorities without a valid passport or certificate of entitlement.
