British Dual Citizenship 2026: Does the UK Allow It, and How to Get It

Does the UK allow dual citizenship?

Yes. GOV.UK states that dual citizenship, also called dual nationality, is allowed in the UK. You do not need to apply for it: you can become a British citizen and keep your existing nationality, or take another nationality and keep your British citizenship, as long as the other country's law also allows it.

The UK does not ask you to give up your original nationality when you naturalise, and it does not require you to tell the government if you take another nationality later. The limit comes from the other country: many countries do not accept dual citizenship, so the deciding question is always what your other country's law says.

Can you have dual citizenship with the UK and another country?

It depends entirely on the other country's law. The US, Canada, Australia and Ireland allow dual citizenship with the UK. Pakistan has a dual nationality arrangement that includes the UK. India does not allow dual citizenship: Indian citizenship ends when you voluntarily become a citizen of another country, though you can apply for an OCI card.

What happens to Indian citizenship if you become British?

Indian citizenship ends automatically when an Indian citizen voluntarily acquires another nationality, under Section 9 of the Citizenship Act 1955. After becoming British you must surrender your Indian passport through the Indian High Commission or a consulate, and you can then apply for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to keep a lifelong right to visit India.

OCI is not dual citizenship. The Ministry of Home Affairs describes it as registration for persons of Indian origin who hold citizenship of a country that allows dual citizenship in some form. OCI cardholders can visit India without a visa, but they do not get Indian citizenship rights such as voting.

• Plan the timing: you remain an Indian citizen until you naturalise, so keep using your Indian passport until your ceremony.
• After the ceremony, apply for your British passport and arrange the surrender of your Indian passport.
• Apply for OCI once you have your British passport, before your next trip to India.

Can Pakistani nationals keep Pakistani citizenship as British citizens?

Yes. Pakistan's Directorate General of Immigration and Passports lists the United Kingdom among the countries with which Pakistan allows dual nationality. A Pakistani citizen who naturalises as British does not have to give up Pakistani nationality, so you can hold both passports.

Keep both passports valid, and travel to the UK on your British passport. When you are in Pakistan you are treated as a Pakistani citizen, and the UK usually cannot give you consular help there.

Pros and cons of British dual citizenship

How to get British dual citizenship

Most adults get British citizenship, and therefore dual citizenship, by naturalisation: hold indefinite leave to remain or settled status, live in the UK for 5 years (or 3 if married to a British citizen), prove B1 English, pass the Life in the UK Test and apply with Form AN. Some people are British by birth or descent, or can register instead.

1. 1

   Check your other country's rules first

   Confirm whether you will lose your existing nationality before you apply.

2. 2

   Meet the residence and status rules

   ILR or settled status, and 5 years' residence (or 3 years if married to a British citizen).

3. 3

   Pass the Life in the UK Test

   £50, 24 questions, 75% to pass. See our Life in the UK Test guide.

4. 4

   Prove B1 English

   An approved B1 speaking and listening test, a degree taught in English, or an exemption.

5. 5

   Apply and attend your ceremony

   Apply online, pay £1,839 and become a citizen at your ceremony. The British citizenship process guide has every step.

UK dual citizenship requirements

There are no extra requirements for dual citizenship itself. You meet the normal British citizenship requirements: be 18 or over, be of good character, hold settled status, meet the residence and absence limits, prove your English and pass the Life in the UK Test. Once you are British, holding another nationality alongside it is your other country's decision.

How much does UK dual citizenship cost?

There is no separate fee for dual citizenship. Becoming British by naturalisation costs £1,839 in 2026 (£1,709 to apply plus a £130 ceremony fee), plus £50 for the Life in the UK Test and the cost of an English test if you need one. Your other country may charge its own fees, for example for an OCI card if you are Indian.

British dual citizenship by descent

A child born outside the UK to a British parent can be British by descent, often holding the nationality of the country of birth or of the other parent at the same time. Being British by descent usually means you cannot automatically pass British citizenship on to your own children born abroad, although registration routes may apply. If you think you may already be British through a parent or grandparent, check GOV.UK before applying to naturalise.

Travelling as a dual British citizen

Dual British citizens should travel to the UK on a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement. British and Irish citizens cannot get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), so from 25 February 2026 dual citizens arriving on their other passport face extra identity checks and may be refused boarding by the airline.

• Apply for your first British passport soon after your citizenship ceremony.
• Keep your British passport valid even if you mainly use your other passport.
• When you are in your other country of nationality, the UK usually cannot give you diplomatic help there.

Can you give up British citizenship?

Yes. You can renounce British citizenship if you are 18 or over (or married), of sound mind, and already have or are about to get another nationality. The fee is £513. You receive a declaration of renunciation as proof that you are no longer British. Renouncing affects your right to live in the UK.

People usually renounce because their other country requires it, for example to take up citizenship that does not allow dual nationality. In some cases you can later apply to resume British nationality, but it is not automatic, so think carefully before renouncing.