Romanians who also hold British citizenship have less than two weeks to avoid serious problems entering the UK.
Starting from February 25, 2026, Romanians with dual citizenship will have to present a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement to enter the UK. In the absence of these documents, airlines, railways or maritime transport companies may refuse boarding.
What exactly changes
The change comes with the expansion of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, through which the UK digitalises its border controls. Although British and Irish citizens are exempt from this system, the new rules require them to prove their status with a valid British passport.
Until now, many UK dual nationals, including Romanians, could travel using their Romanian passport and prove their status afterwards if required. From February 25, this will no longer be sufficient in practice, as carriers risk penalties if they board passengers without the correct documentation.
Who is targeted?
The new rules apply to all British citizens with dual citizenship. Romanians who obtained British citizenship through naturalization, people born in Great Britain who also have Romanian citizenship, as well as British citizens living temporarily outside the UK are targeted.
Official figures show that around 1.26 million people in England and Wales hold more than one passport, representing more than 2% of the population.
What you risk if you don’t have a valid British passport
Although the law does not explicitly require British citizens to travel using a British passport, pre-departure checks by airlines make this essential. Carriers strictly follow Home Office guidelines and documents such as an expired British passport, naturalization certificate or other proof of citizenship are not included in the standard list of documents accepted for boarding.
The practical consequence is that you may be stopped at the airport before departure.
What you need to do urgently
If you have dual Romanian-British citizenship, it is important to immediately check if your British passport is valid, if it is about to expire and if you need to renew it. In the absence of a valid British passport, the application for a new one should be submitted as soon as possible.
The change generated mixed reactions. Some consider the measure natural, arguing that other countries also require dual nationals to enter their territory using their own passport. Others criticize the decision and argue that in practice the extra costs and formalities will particularly affect people who have not renewed their British passports in recent years.
The British Home Office claims that the digitization of the immigration system will make travel safer and give authorities better control over entries into the country.
For Romanians with dual citizenship, the message is simple: check your British passport before 25 February. Ignoring the new rules can mean delays, extra costs or even denied boarding.
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