Maltese/British dual passport holders will need to be aware of new travel rules that were officially introduced today, 25th February 2026.

British dual citizens can no longer enter the UK using only their second passport, which means they must either present a British passport or a certificate of entitlement along with their second passport.

The certificate of entitlement, official proof of your right to live in the UK, costs £589 and is valid until your passport expires.

These rules were introduced as part of the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme, which officially came into force today.

The UK introduced ETAs for several countries, including Malta, last year but the British government said it wasn’t strictly enforced to give visitors time to adjust to the new rules.

ETAs allow people to stay in the UK for up to six months. They are valid for two years or until your passport expires and can be used for multiple trips.

However, dual nationals cannot apply for an ETA if they hold another passport, which means they must either carry their British passport with them or acquire the certificate of entitlement.