Dual nationals and Irish passports
If you have two nationalities, the passport you travel on changes the rules that apply to you. Here's what to use and when. Checked against GOV.UK, the EU and the Irish government on 14 October 2026.
Entering the UK as a dual British citizen
- Use a valid British passport, a valid Irish passport, or a passport from your other country containing a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode.
- A certificate of entitlement costs £589. It's digital and doesn't expire, but you can't have one while you hold a valid British passport.
- If your British passport has expired, renew it before you travel back, or use a valid Irish passport if you have one.
Travelling in Europe on an Irish or EU passport
If you're also an Irish or other EU citizen, using that passport in Europe makes life much easier:
| British passport | Irish or other EU passport | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport validity | Issued less than 10 years before you arrive; valid 3 months after you leave | Valid on the day you travel (an EU ID card also works) |
| 90 days in 180 limit | Applies | Doesn't apply |
| EES fingerprints and photo | Yes | No |
| ETIAS (when it starts) | Needed | Not needed |
Enter and leave the Schengen area on the same passport. If you enter on your British passport, your days are counted under the British rules. Use our 90/180 calculator if you travel on a British passport.
Travelling between the UK and Ireland
- British and Irish citizens can travel within the Common Travel Area (the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands) without routine passport controls.
- Airlines and ferry companies still ask for photo ID, and many will only accept a passport or Irish passport card. Check before you travel.
Irish passports for people in the UK
- Most people born in Northern Ireland before 1 January 2005 are entitled to Irish citizenship. If you were born there on or after that date, it usually depends on whether a parent was an Irish or British citizen.
- An adult Irish passport costs €75 and a child's €20.
- The Irish passport card (€35, or €100 with an adult passport book) is for holders of a valid Irish passport book. It works for travel in the EU, EEA, Switzerland and the UK, and lasts up to 5 years.
Using our checker as a dual national
Our passport checker uses the rules for British passports. If you're travelling on another passport, the rules for that nationality apply instead: check the embassy of the country you're visiting. Many countries also expect their own citizens to enter and leave on that country's passport.
Frequently asked questions
Which passport should a dual British citizen use to enter the UK?
Your British or Irish passport, or another passport containing a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode. Since 25 February 2026 the UK's ETA scheme is enforced, and dual British citizens can't get an ETA, so arriving on only your other passport can mean being refused boarding.
Can I use my Irish passport to avoid the Schengen 90-day limit?
Yes. Irish citizens are EU citizens, so if you enter and stay in the Schengen area on your Irish passport, the 90/180-day limit, EES fingerprints and the passport validity rules for British passports don't apply.
Do I need a passport to travel between the UK and Ireland?
There are no routine passport controls for British and Irish citizens within the Common Travel Area, but airlines and ferry companies ask for photo ID, and many only accept a passport or Irish passport card.
What is an Irish passport card?
A credit-card-sized travel document for Irish citizens who already hold a valid Irish passport book. It can be used for travel within the EU, EEA, Switzerland and the UK, lasts up to 5 years and costs €35.