Exclusive: Some Australian-British citizens are so upset by the United Kingdom's new entry requirements that they are forking out thousands to officially renounce their citizenship.
Nine.com.au reported on major changes coming for travellers visiting the UK from February this year, which will see British border security enforce the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme.
Australians with British or Irish citizenship won't need to apply for a $20 ETA due to their right of abode, but they would have to prove their nationality if travelling with an expired UK passport – a small but important detail that has triggered widespread outrage.
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Dual citizen travellers with expired British passports will need to pay a pricey renewal fee to keep their UK passports valid, or in a worst-case scenario risk being barred from boarding their flight.
Dual citizen Simon, who did not want his surname published, told nine.com.au he paid almost $3000 to apply to have British citizenship rescinded for himself, his wife and his daughter.
However, Simon's 15-year-old son cannot do the same just yet.
UK citizens cannot renounce their citizenship until they are aged over 18.
He described this fee as "daylight robbery".
Simon said he let his UK passport lapse due to work reasons and doesn't want to pay to renew two passports for the rest of his life.
He said the process has left him and his family "distraught".
"My wife is extremely upset by the whole thing and now feels scared that if something happens to family in the interim, we won't be able to attend," Simon said.
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It costs £482 (approx. $966) per person to formally renounce your UK citizenship.
A person gives up their right to live in the UK if they no longer have citizenship.
You also lose the right to UK consular protection.
You can only give up your British citizenship or status if you already have another citizenship or nationality, or if you are planning to get another citizenship or nationality.
In some rare cases, it is possible to regain your British citizenship, however you need to meet specific criteria.
Nine.com.au has contacted the British High Commission and the UK Home Office for comment.
There was an initial grace period while the new ETA was being rolled out, where it was not strictly enforced to give travellers time to adjust. Now, it will be officially enforced at the border.
"We strongly advise dual British citizens to make sure they have a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement, to avoid problems like being denied boarding when travelling to the UK from 25 February 2026," the UK Home Office states.
"From 25 February 2026, dual British citizens who cannot produce a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement will need to have additional identity checks and will not be able to go through UK passport control until their British nationality is verified."
A certificate of entitlement proves a person has a right of abode in the UK. You need to apply for a new certificate when your passport expires.
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