Travelling to the UK as a British–Czech Dual National: New Travel Rules in Force since 25 February

New travel rules for entry to the United Kingdom in force since February 25, 2026, are raising questions among British nationals and dual citizens living in the Czech Republic. In particular, many people are unsure whether they need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or whether a British passport is required.

The British Embassy in Prague has clarified the rules for British citizens, dual nationals and families whose children were born in the Czech Republic. The guidance explains who must travel with a British passport, how dual citizenship affects travel, and what steps families should take before planning a trip to the United Kingdom.

1. I am a Brit with Czech citizenship. Do I need a British passport to travel to the United Kingdom, or can I apply for an ETA?

As a British citizen, you do not need an ETA. However, to travel to the United Kingdom you must have a valid British passport. As a dual national, you must travel to the UK either with a valid British passport (or an Irish passport), or with another valid passport (for example, a Czech one) together with a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the United Kingdom.

If your children have dual citizenship, the same rules apply – they should have a valid British passport to travel to the United Kingdom. If you are unsure about your citizenship status or the citizenship of your family members, visit: Check if you’re British

You can also request assistance through: Contact UK Visas and Immigration for help.

2. I am British. My children were born in Czechia. Do they need a British passport to travel to the UK?

If a child was born in Czechia to at least one parent who is British, and the child currently has a Czech passport but has never applied for a British passport, they need to obtain one in order to travel to the United Kingdom after 25 February 2026. If a child is already a British citizen, they cannot use an ETA for travel to the United Kingdom. They will need a British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement.

You should establish whether your children are British: Check if you’re British and if they are, you should apply for a passport or certificate of entitlement (or their parent should on their behalf).

As a dual national, you must travel to the UK using either a valid UK passport (or Irish passport), or any other valid passport (for example, Czech) with a certificate of entitlement. If in doubt as to your citizenship or your family’s circumstances, use: Check if you’re British.

You can also Contact UK Visas and Immigration for help.

You cannot renounce British citizenship until you are 18 years old in most circumstances. For more information visit: Give up (renounce) British citizenship or nationality.

3. What about Czech citizens who may be British but have had no formal interaction with the UK Government to “claim” it?

If you are a British citizen automatically, then there is no interaction needed to “claim” it. You are British by operation of law. This is set out here: Check if you’re British.

Automatic citizenship operates by law, provided you meet the requisite conditions at the time of your birth. Contact with the UK Government, or not, doesn’t affect it, and a passport confirms your citizenship, it doesn’t grant it: the law does.

There is a formal process to renounce any form of British nationality held: Give up (renounce) British citizenship or nationality.

4. I’ve applied for and been granted an ETA in the past that doesn’t expire until after 25 February 2026, but I am (or think I am) British. Can I use this?

If you are a British citizen, you do not need an ETA to travel to the United Kingdom. However, you must have a valid British passport (or an Irish passport). If you are unsure about your citizenship or the citizenship of your family members, visit: Check if you’re British.

You can also request assistance through: Contact UK Visas and Immigration for help.


British Embassy Prague
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