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British dual nationals may be able to board Ryanair flights in Europe to the UK even if they do not have a current British passport when new immigration rules come into force next week, the airline has said.
The airline is complying with controversial rules being introduced by the Home Office but has said alternative documents that prove a person is a British national may be accepted.
The development will come as relief to many Britons living in Europe panicked by new Home Office rules that require dual nationals to show a British passport or an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to board a flight to the UK as part of a streamlining of border operations coming into force on 25 February.
Some have had family visits planned while others are worried travel plans may have been scotched by the new rules because children born abroad did not have British passports.
Hundreds of dual nationals are unhappy at the introduction of the new rules, having spent, in some cases, decades able to travel to the UK to visit family on their other passport, with many having complained about how it has been handled by the Home Office.
When asked if it would allow those with foreign passports without ETAs to board if they could show another document to show they were British, the company said: “Yes, 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 status in the UK, including passengers who hold an old stamp/vignette with indefinite leave to remain.”
Ryanair added that “a valid or expired British passport” and a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode were acceptable proof of being British. It said that from 25 February “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.”
Ryanair did not provide further details when asked if alternative documentation could include items such as a birth certificate, an old British passport or certificate of naturalisation.
Airlines can be fined if they accept passengers who have no right to be in the UK and the Home Office statement on the new rules makes it clear passengers could be refused boarding if they do not present a passport or certificate of entitlement, a digital stamp costing £589 that can be linked to a dual national’s foreign passport.
It said: “From 25 February 2026, all dual British citizens will need to present either a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement when travelling to the UK. Without one carriers cannot verify they are a British citizen, which may lead to delays or refused boarding.”
A House of Commons briefing paper in January on the change in rules states that a British citizen cannot be refused entry to the UK but also says they have to prove their right to enter. It says: “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.”
One man in Canada who wrote to the Guardian said he had brought forward his flight to 23 February to make sure he could enter the UK because he wanted to visit his brother who had a brain tumour and was dying. “I didn’t want to miss his birthday on 12 March. It is completely absurd that dual nationals like myself should be ruled ineligible to enter the UK as tourists without an ETA. I suppose that you have to have a curious Whitehall mentality to think a British citizen must enter the UK as a British citizen and nothing less,” said James (whose name has been changed).
The Home Office has been approached for comment.
