Dual UK & EU citizenship: which passport should you use when travelling?
Recent changes to UK entry procedures have sparked confusion among dual citizens, particularly those holding both British and EU passports, including German, Polish, Czech, Slovak and Austrian.
Let’s clarify what the law says.
Entering the United Kingdom
If you are a British citizen, you must use your British passport to enter the UK.
British citizens cannot apply for a Certificate of Entitlement in a foreign passport. A Certificate of Entitlement is a visa-style endorsement placed in a non-British passport to confirm that the holder has the Right of Abode in the UK, meaning they are allowed to live and work in the UK without immigration restrictions. It is only available to non-British nationals who have this status.
In practice, airlines may refuse boarding if a British citizen attempts to travel to the UK using only a foreign passport.
Bottom line:
If you hold a UK passport, bring it and use it to enter the UK.
Entering Schengen Zone
The rules differ slightly across EU Member States, but there are some general principles.
Across the European Union:
- If you are a citizen of an EU country, you are legally treated as a national of that country when you are there.
- You cannot be treated as a foreign national in your own country.
- Border authorities may expect you to identify yourself as a citizen.
Why travelling with both passports is smart
Some countries, such as Poland, have stricter practice requiring their nationals to enter and leave Poland using a Polish passport.
Others, including Germany, do not impose automatic penalties for presenting another passport, but expect you to prove citizenship if required.
Because rules vary by country, the safest approach is:
- Use the passport of the country you are entering if you are a citizen of that country.
- Carry both passports when travelling between your countries of nationality.
The Airline Factor (where problems usually occur)
Most complications do not arise at border control, they arise at airline check-in.
Airlines are legally responsible for ensuring passengers have the correct entry documentation. If you present the “wrong” passport:
- You may be asked for a visa or ETA.
- You may be denied boarding.
- You may face delays while clarifying dual nationality.
Using the passport that corresponds to your destination country avoids these issues.
Practical example: UK–EU dual citizen
If you hold British and EU citizenship:
- Use your EU passport when entering your EU country of nationality.
- Use your British passport when entering the UK.
- Carry both when travelling between the two.
This approach avoids airline issues and ensures smooth border processing.
Our advice
Dual citizenship gives you expanded rights but it also means navigating two legal systems. While not every EU country imposes strict passport-use penalties, best practice is simple:
Use the passport of the country you are entering.
When in doubt, travel with both.
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For more insights on European citizenship, check out our other blogs.
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