Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship (also known as dual nationality) is allowed in the UK. This means you can be a British citizen and also a citizen of other countries.

You do not need to apply for dual citizenship. You can apply for foreign citizenship and keep your British citizenship.

Many countries do not accept dual citizenship. Check with the country’s consulate or embassy in the UK to find out about that country’s laws on dual nationality.

Check if you already have British citizenship

You may have British citizenship automatically if you either:

• were born in the UK
• have a parent with British citizenship

Check if you have British citizenship.

Apply for British citizenship

To get British citizenship in the UK, check how to apply in your situation.

Travelling abroad

As a dual national, you cannot get diplomatic help from the British government when you are in the other country where you hold citizenship.

For example, if you hold both British and French citizenship you cannot get diplomatic help from the UK when you’re in France.

Travelling to the UK

As a dual national, you can travel to the UK using either:

• a valid UK passport or Irish passport
• a certificate of entitlement

You can apply for a passport or certificate of entitlement if you need one.

When you can travel with an expired UK passport

Your carrier (for example your airline) may allow you to travel if you have both:

• an expired UK passport, issued in 1989 or later
• a valid passport for one of the nationalities that can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

The personal details on both passports must match.

It is the carrier’s decision whether to allow you to travel.

If you previously had a UK passport, you can apply for an emergency travel document.

You cannot get an ETA if you’re a British or Irish dual citizen.

Dual citizenship, marriage and children

You do not automatically become a British citizen when you marry a person from the UK. You need to apply as the spouse of a British citizen.

In some countries, a married person is automatically counted as having their partner’s nationality. Children may also automatically have a parent’s nationality even if they were born abroad.

Check with the country’s consulate or high commission in the UK to find out about that country’s laws on dual nationality.