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With the rollout of the UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) system, many families are confused about how dual British–Spanish children should travel to the UK. Official guidance, introduced in February 2026, suggests that dual nationals should hold a British passport or a certificate of entitlement, but this is a recommendation, not a legal requirement (but, be aware that children with a British parent without a British passport or certificate, May be refused boarding and even entry to the UK). Understanding the difference between what is legally required and what is advised can help families make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary costs or stress.
If your child holds both Spanish and British nationality, you may have seen UK government guidance suggesting they should travel with a British passport or a certificate of entitlement. While this may make travel smoother, it is important to understand that this is a recommendation and not a legal requirement.
Your child is fully entitled to enter the UK using their Spanish passport and a valid ETA. The UK guidance, introduced in February 2026, is intended to avoid practical issues at the border, but it does not override your child’s legal rights as a Spanish citizen. The requirement to obtain a British passport or certificate of entitlement is therefore optional and not mandated by law, although the certificate currently carries a cost of £589, which may be significant for some families.
Some children may not yet have applied for a British passport, and in such cases, the guidance creates a practical suggestion rather than a legal obligation. The intention of this explanation is simply to highlight that, under the law, dual nationals with a Spanish passport are entitled to travel with ETA, and the UK suggestion should be understood as a measure to make travel easier rather than a compulsory requirement.
For families who wish to formally raise this argument with the UK Home Office or airlines, a sample letter outlining the points above has been drafted and is available Letter to the British Home Office. This can be used as a reference to present the facts clearly and respectfully when seeking clarification or challenging unnecessary administrative requirements.
Taken from the Home Office fact sheet of March 2026. Full information found on the link at bottom of page:
“Why are you changing passport rules for dual citizens?
“The UK is moving to a modernised ‘digital permission’ system where international carriers are required to confirm, through automated checks against Home Office records, that passengers have valid permission or status to travel to the UK. All carriers (e.g. airlines, maritime and rail) have now been equipped with the necessary tools to verify travel permission via automated digital checks with the Home Office.
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.
Public information strongly advising dual citizens to travel with a valid UK passport or Certificate of Entitlement has been available since October 2024, including official guidance on GOV.UK.
We have delivered a comprehensive range of communications and engaged with an extensive network of stakeholders, including global carriers and operators. We have sent emails to those impacted we hold valid contact details for. And we have included information for dual citizens in our ETA communications campaign which has been running since 2023.
Can dual British citizens use alternative documents as proof of citizenship?
We recognise this is a significant change for carriers and travellers, and so we have provided additional temporary guidance to carriers on possible alternative documentation, including expired passports issued in 1989 or later and alongside a valid non-visa national third country passport where biographic details match. It is an operational decision whether carriers accept alternative proof, and if so, what alternative proof they will accept.
We strongly recommend that passengers should obtain a British passport or Certificate of Entitlement to ensure the smoothest travel experience.
Certificates of Entitlement will be issued in digital format. This means that a certificate only needs to be applied for once, rather than expiring with your passport.
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.
What happens if a dual British citizen needs to travel in an emergency?
Individuals who have previously had a British passport can apply for an emergency travel document if they urgently need to enter the UK”.
Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
UPDATE – 13 June 2026.
When this article was first published on 25 March 2026, it challenged the position being conveyed at the time — that dual British nationals were required to travel to the UK on a British passport. A sample challenge letter was also made available on this page for families and individuals who wished to formally raise this point with the Home Office or their carrier.
In the early hours of this morning, I set out to locate the original government text that strongly indicated dual nationals should travel on a British passport — the text that formed the basis of this article. After two hours of research, I have to report that I am unable to find it. I cannot say with certainty that it has been removed or changed. I can only say that I cannot locate it. What I believe is that this text was linked to, or formed part of, the GOV.UK dual citizenship guidance page, which was updated on 4 June 2026 and now reads simply:
“As a dual national, you can travel to the UK using either: a valid UK passport or Irish passport, or a certificate of entitlement.”
GOV.UK dual citizenship page (updated 4 June 2026).
What has not changed is the Home Office blog March 2026 factsheet, which remains live and accessible and contains the wording quoted in the original article, including:
“Dual British citizens are exempt from needing an ETA and are expected to present either a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement when travelling to the UK. This is a requirement for all British citizens regardless of other nationality.”
And separately:
“We strongly recommend that passengers should obtain a British passport or Certificate of Entitlement to ensure the smoothest travel experience.”
Home Office blog March 2026 factsheet (still live and unchanged).
What is significant is that even while this language was being used, the government’s own minister, Lord Hanson of Flint, had already confirmed to parliament in a written answer on 9 July 2025 — before this article was written — that:
“There is no single specific legal requirement that a British Citizen must travel on a British passport.”
Official parliamentary record:
I was unaware of this parliamentary record when I wrote the original article in March 2026. However, my independent analysis led me to exactly the same legal conclusion — that the guidance being issued was a strong recommendation, not a legal requirement. That conclusion is now confirmed by the government’s own minister in the official parliamentary record.
The research tonight has not produced the clear-cut result I was hoping for. But it has produced something equally important — independent parliamentary confirmation that the legal position argued in this article was correct from the outset.
Families should nonetheless remain aware that individual carriers still have discretion over boarding decisions, and that carrying a valid British passport remains the safest and most practical option where possible.
Note*. Due to the gray areas, citizens advice bureau cannot tell you whether you need a British passport to travel to the UK or you can travel on an ETA. Those some travelers have had no problems others have we do suggest you read through the article and also read the links provided. Hopefully this will help you to make an informed decision.
Not only have provided the information, but also letter for the home office. Those affected, please be proactive and complete and send the letter.
