The UK Home Office has quietly amended its guidance to permit dual British-Irish citizens to board flights using an expired UK passport paired with a valid second passport from an Electronic Travel Authorisation–eligible country. The temporary measure, effective from Wednesday 25 February 2026, is intended to ease the imminent enforcement of carrier-liability rules that require airlines to verify passengers’ UK citizenship before departure. (abc.net.au)
Under the policy, airlines and ferry operators may accept the expired document as evidence of British nationality, but they are not obliged to do so. Industry groups warn that, without a formal grace period, carriers may refuse travel to risk-averse destinations, leaving travellers stranded. The Liberal Democrats and consumer body Which? have called for clearer communication and standardised acceptance across all carriers.
For anyone confused by the new rules, VisaHQ can step in to clarify carrier expectations, help arrange an Electronic Travel Authorisation, or fast-track a full UK passport renewal. Its Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) offers document checks and personalised guidance so dual citizens can board with confidence.
![UK Allows Irish-British Dual Nationals to Travel on Expired UK Passports—at Carriers’ Discretion]()
For Irish residents who also hold British passports—estimated at more than 350,000 people—the change offers a limited workaround if their UK passport has lapsed and renewal appointments are unavailable due to ongoing post-pandemic backlogs. However, travel-risk experts caution that the discretion clause means passengers must obtain written confirmation from their airline before travel; otherwise they risk denied boarding. (abc.net.au)
Multinational companies should update employee-travel checklists: staff who rely on an expired UK passport must carry print-outs of the Home Office notice and be prepared to buy an ETA if the carrier declines the expired document. Employers should also remind travellers that an expired UK passport cannot be used as legally valid ID once they reach British immigration control, although checks for CTA arrivals remain rare.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs says the change does not affect Irish passport holders alone, but advises dual citizens to renew their UK passports "at the earliest opportunity" to avoid future compliance headaches.
Under the policy, airlines and ferry operators may accept the expired document as evidence of British nationality, but they are not obliged to do so. Industry groups warn that, without a formal grace period, carriers may refuse travel to risk-averse destinations, leaving travellers stranded. The Liberal Democrats and consumer body Which? have called for clearer communication and standardised acceptance across all carriers.
For anyone confused by the new rules, VisaHQ can step in to clarify carrier expectations, help arrange an Electronic Travel Authorisation, or fast-track a full UK passport renewal. Its Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) offers document checks and personalised guidance so dual citizens can board with confidence.
For Irish residents who also hold British passports—estimated at more than 350,000 people—the change offers a limited workaround if their UK passport has lapsed and renewal appointments are unavailable due to ongoing post-pandemic backlogs. However, travel-risk experts caution that the discretion clause means passengers must obtain written confirmation from their airline before travel; otherwise they risk denied boarding. (abc.net.au)
Multinational companies should update employee-travel checklists: staff who rely on an expired UK passport must carry print-outs of the Home Office notice and be prepared to buy an ETA if the carrier declines the expired document. Employers should also remind travellers that an expired UK passport cannot be used as legally valid ID once they reach British immigration control, although checks for CTA arrivals remain rare.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs says the change does not affect Irish passport holders alone, but advises dual citizens to renew their UK passports "at the earliest opportunity" to avoid future compliance headaches.
