Does a British Italian dual national need to carry both passports when traveling from Italy to the UK?

Question

I am a dual national from birth of both Britain and Italy. Up till now I've never had any issues entering the UK on my Italian passport. But today they stopped me saying I needed to prove I'm British. I had a photo of an old British passport that I've not renewed because the Italian passport is more powerful and so I only used that one to travel. They let me through, but border force said to me I need to prove in some way I am British next time.

I think it's crazy to have to buy a UK passport just for the purpose of entering my own country. Is there another way to add perhaps to the Italian passport that I'm British?

Answer 1

They let me through, but border force said to me I need to prove in some way I am British next time.

Only a British passport or 'certificate of entitlement' is legally defined as conclusive for the purpose of establishing British citizenship when entering the UK.

Is there another way to add perhaps to the Italian passport that I'm British?

Unfortunately it is more expensive than a passport. You can apply for a 'certificate of entitlement', to go in your Italian passport, but this costs £550.

https://www.gov.uk/right-of-abode/apply-for-a-certificate-of-entitlement

Additionally, the Home Office has given a hint that they may be developing an electronic solution to this issue in their newest eVisa FAQ.

British passport holders and Irish citizens, including those who previously held an immigration status but have since acquired British citizenship, do not need to do anything. British citizens who do not have a British passport because they are dual nationals (excluding Irish passport holders) may need to take action in future regarding how they prove their right of abode. Updates on this will be provided in due course.

https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2024/10/02/media-factsheet-evisas-2/

For now, I'd suggest renewing your passport is the best option. £88.50 for a 10 year passport is not that bad a deal, in my opinion.

Answer 2

This has happened as a result of Brexit: with only an Italian passport you are considered to be just an Italian citizen and you are no longer allowed to live and work in the UK without a relevant visa or permit, so it’s legitimate they ask for proof of UK citizenship.

You write:

I think it's crazy to have to buy a UK passport just for the purpose of entering my own country.

Well, you need some way to actually prove that you are. Otherwise anybody can just tell them “hey let me in I’m British, I swear”.

Italy is not competent to state whether you are British or not, and the UK won’t issue visas to their own citizens, so no, there’s nothing which can be done in your Italian passport for that purpose. By far the simplest way is to have a UK passport.

In other countries you could have used a national ID card, but that doesn’t exist in the UK.

Answer 3

As a British citizen you have nothing to fear from the UK Border Force

You write...

They let me through, but border force said to me I need to prove in some way I am British next time.

The border force has ~zero power over you as a British citizen. They can't ban you from your own country - and even if such a "ban" was issued, it would have no legal effect whatsoever. They can hold you up for secondary inspection but no matter how annoyed they are about your lack of British passport, there's not much they can do about it other than grumble and then let you through.

From April 2nd 2025 Italian citizens will be required to pre-apply for Electronic Travel Authorization beefore flying to the UK, however I doubt you'd be prevented from doing so using your Italian passport. It would be an extra hassle but possibly still cheaper than bothering to get a British passport.

Would I personally go get a British passport? Yes, definitely.

Is it absolutely necessary? Nope, you can keep doing what you do, it is your legal right to do so.