Bold claim: the UK’s new border rules for dual nationals hit women hardest and create a mess of confusion and expense. And this is the part most people miss: the changes aren’t just a tweak in paperwork—they reshape how many Britons abroad must prove their identity and nationality when returning home.
From February 25, dual nationals must present a UK passport when boarding any UK-bound transport, or obtain a separate document called a “certificate of entitlement,” which can cost around £600 and accompany their second passport. Campaigners argue this policy is discriminatory toward women, particularly in Greece and Spain, where post-Brexit citizenship patterns intersect with differing naming conventions on official documents.
In Greece, many women keep their maiden name after marriage to a Greek national. If a woman’s British passport lists her husband’s name, the name-match requirement between the UK passport and the second passport can fail, triggering entry issues.
In Spain, Britons married to Spaniards typically have two surnames on official IDs (their mother’s maiden name and their father’s surname). By contrast, UK passports usually show only one surname. This discrepancy fuels denial or delays at borders.
"It is causing huge problems," says Julia Cross of British in Greece, a grassroots group representing about 20,000 Britons there and part of the British in Europe umbrella. She notes that many people didn’t realize a second passport was required and that the name-matching rule disproportionately affects women.
The Home Office says mismatched names might be accepted in exceptional cases if individuals can prove they cannot change their names on foreign documents. Their guidance states that where someone can show evidence of this limitation, they may, exceptionally, be allowed to use a different name on a Home Office document.
Nevertheless, campaigners say the rollout has been poorly communicated, causing confusion and stress for women in Spain and Greece. They urge a transitional period—ideally at least three months—to inform Britons abroad and allow time for adjustments. One advocate described a woman feeling effectively barred from entering her own country, while another warned about a rise in distrust toward citizens abroad.
A House of Commons briefing notes that Britons retain a legal right to enter the UK, but airlines bear the risk of fines if they board someone without the correct document. The government’s own ETA guidance warns that travelers may be unable to board without a valid document after February 25.
Stefanie, a British resident of Spain who naturalised after Brexit, highlights another snag: Spain does not recognize dual nationals unless one parent is Spanish and the other foreign, and naturalisation often requires renouncing the other nationality. Stefanie notes that many people secretly still hold British passports but fear that presenting them could risk losing their Spanish citizenship. She also points out the paradox: airlines may refuse boarding if names don’t align, even though the UK typically recognizes a single surname while Spain uses two.
The rule change is part of a broader push to improve border data collection. Starting February 25, foreign nationals will need to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for £16 to enter, but dual nationals cannot use the ETA on their second passport. Irish passport holders are exempt.
Gabrielle Mordy, who holds dual nationality through her father and lives in Australia, found travel seamless for years on her Australian passport but only learned of the UK rule change in January. She notes that obtaining a certificate of entitlement can take up to eight weeks, making it impractical for imminent trips.
A traveler based in Germany sums up the sentiment: travelers are being treated better than citizens at home. For families planning Easter travel, the nearly £600 cost adds up quickly. Some names have been changed to protect privacy.
Would you support a faster, simpler ETA system for dual nationals or keep the current approach with its added costs and name-matching complications? Share your thoughts in the comments.
