British citizens will no longer be able to return home on non-UK passports due to new entry requirements coming into force in February

Under changes coming into effect on 25 February, British nationals abroad must present a current UK passport or a certificate of entitlement to prove their status when entering the country.

Previously, dual citizens have been able to travel to the UK using non-British passports and have, if required, been able to prove their citizenship status using other documents.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/british-citizen-overseas-travel-passport-home-office-b2900514.html

That’s quite a significant change, currently you can travel to the UK on an expired UK passport on the premise that your passport may have expired but your status as a UK citizen remains the same.

The Certificate of Entitlement, which costs a tad under £600, is normally issued to foreign nationals, via a sticker in their foreign passport, who can demonstrate they have strong family ties and the right to live in the UK, and usually actually are.

If these changes do come in it would be far quicker and cheaper to renew your current UK passport.

Doesn't apply to Irish passport holders if British/Irish dual nationality and using an Irish passport.

One you tube blogger has advised that you must be able to prove UK ties if you are absent from UK for long time and returning to UK on British Passport even if you have no dual citizen. Boarder Control can stop, question and deny entry irrespective of you are British Citizen . It is difficult to understand this - Is it TRUE ?

5 minutes ago, John9 said:

One you tube blogger has advised that you must be able to prove UK ties if you are absent from UK for long time and returning to UK on British Passport even if you have no dual citizen. Boarder Control can stop, question and deny entry irrespective of you are British Citizen . It is difficult to understand this - Is it TRUE ?

I find it hard to believe that any British citizen would be denied entry to the UK without a specific, hugely negative, reason.

16 minutes ago, John9 said:

One you tube blogger has advised that you must be able to prove UK ties if you are absent from UK for long time and returning to UK on British Passport even if you have no dual citizen.

Obviously complete nonsense.

Depriving someone of their British citizenship for the public good is generally used in the context of national security or counter-terrorism. The aim is to prevent a person who poses a threat to the United Kingdom from returning to the country, which they would otherwise have a right to do as a British citizen. There are also rare cases involving serious or organised criminals.

Over 1,500 citizenship deprivation orders were made from 2010 to 2024

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn06820/

It can happen if the Home Secretary cancels your passport

On 1/15/2026 at 7:53 PM, theoldgit said:

That’s quite a significant change, currently you can travel to the UK on an expired UK passport on the premise that your passport may have expired but your status as a UK citizen remains the same.

OP made no suggestion an expired UK passport wouldn't work.

32 minutes ago, John9 said:

One you tube blogger has advised that you must be able to prove UK ties if you are absent from UK for long time and returning to UK on British Passport even if you have no dual citizen. Boarder Control can stop, question and deny entry irrespective of you are British Citizen . It is difficult to understand this - Is it TRUE ?

Unless you have been striped of your British citizenship you can not be denied entry into the UK, the issue some may find for eg if you are say a Australian/British citizen and you want to enter UK on your Australain passport you need to fill an ETA before boarding and the system will not let a British citizen fill it in, there will be greyed out fields so no ETA no flight, iguess there are security features so if you lie on the ETAand get past it, then it is likley the will show at immigration in the UK so expect an interview why you lied about being a Britias citizen

33 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

OP made no suggestion an expired UK passport wouldn't work.

He said “must present a current passport”.

40 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

OP made no suggestion an expired UK passport wouldn't work.

Changes from 26th February 2026

From 25 February 2026, the Home Office will be fully applying the ETA requirement. The Home Office is advising British dual citizens to make sure they have a valid UK or Irish passport or certificate of entitlement if they will be travelling on or after that date. If they don’t, they may not be able to board their transport to the UK.

Some people question why they can’t use other documents to prove their right of abode and exemption from the permission to travel requirement, such as an expired British passport or a certificate of naturalisation or registration as a British citizen.

Those documents aren’t listed in the Home Office’s document checking guidance for transport providers. Carriers are unlikely to deviate from the guidance because they can be penalised for bringing inadequately documented passengers to the UK.

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10344/

Looks like expired passports no longer accepted

As someone else has pointed out, the issue is far more likely being denied boarding at the foreign airport.