Brexit’s Ongoing Impact on UK Dual Citizenship: What’s Changed in 2025?

Brexit has reshaped the rules around UK dual citizenship, and these changes continue to evolve in 2025. If you are an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen living in the UK, understanding how Brexit affects your ability to hold dual nationality is more important than ever.

The key change in 2025 is that while you can still apply for UK citizenship without giving up your original nationality, there are new residency requirements and legal updates that could affect your eligibility and timing. These updates also come with shifts in the immigration system that may impact your path to citizenship and the rights you hold in the UK.

If you want to keep your original citizenship and gain British citizenship, knowing what has changed and how to prepare is essential. This article will help you understand the latest rules and what they mean for your future in the UK.

Brexit 2025: The Current Landscape for Dual Citizenship

The Brexit process has continued to shape dual citizenship rules well into 2025. You need to understand how UK policies have evolved, how current laws affect your dual nationality rights, and how Brexit altered cooperation between the UK and the European Union.

Key Changes Since Brexit

Since Brexit, the UK no longer follows EU rules on citizenship and free movement. This means you now need visas or residence permits to live or work in the UK unless you hold Irish citizenship. The post-Brexit immigration system requires most EU citizens to meet new criteria comparable to non-EU nationals for visa eligibility.

Spain, for example, does not allow dual citizenship with the UK, unlike some other countries, affecting your ability to hold both passports. Also, there are more rules about where and how you use your passports for travel or legal matters.

The Conservative government’s policies and Keir Starmer’s Labour Party positions continue to affect immigration discussions, but no significant reversals of these changes have emerged by 2025.

Latest Policy Updates in 2025

In 2025, the British government has extended qualifying periods for indefinite leave to remain in some visa categories. This means your path to naturalisation and dual citizenship may take longer depending on your visa type.

The Home Office still permits dual citizenship, so when you become British, you don’t have to give up your original nationality. However, tax obligations might increase, as holding two citizenships can trigger duties in both countries.

The UK encourages EU nationals seeking dual citizenship to apply under the post-Brexit system, but you must meet language and residency requirements. New rules also stress proof of continuous residence and “good character” tests when applying.

Role of UK and European Union Law

The UK now controls all citizenship and immigration laws independently of the EU, meaning your rights as a dual citizen depend mainly on UK legislation.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and the EU sets a general framework for relations but excludes policies on citizenship or free movement. This creates separate legal systems where your dual citizenship status is handled differently depending on where you reside.

EU countries maintain their own rules on recognising dual citizenship with the UK, so if your other nationality is from the EU, you must check their current laws carefully. This affects your ability to maintain both citizenships and your travel rights.

Dual Citizenship Rights and Residency Status Post-Brexit

Your residency status in the UK after Brexit depends largely on whether you hold settled or pre-settled status. These statuses affect your rights to live, work, and access services. Understanding how UK immigration rules now treat permanent residency and dual nationality is key to knowing what rights you retain or gain.

Understanding Settled and Pre-Settled Status

If you are an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen who lived in the UK before 31 December 2020, you had to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme.

Settled status means you have lived in the UK continuously for at least five years. This grants you indefinite leave to remain, meaning no time limits on your stay and full access to work, healthcare, welfare, and education.

Pre-settled status is for those with less than five years’ residence. It allows you to stay legally while you build up the five-year residency needed for settled status. In 2025, pre-settled status automatically extends for five years before expiry. You no longer have to reapply manually to convert to settled status once you meet requirements.

Residency Rights for UK and EU Citizens

With settled status, you can live in the UK indefinitely and travel freely with extended absence allowances of up to five years without losing your rights.

If you hold pre-settled status, you keep your rights to work, study, and access services but need to meet residence requirements to avoid losing status. Extensions now help prevent accidental status loss.

UK nationals living in the EU have different arrangements, but your EU rights in the UK are safeguarded by the Withdrawal Agreement and the EU Settlement Scheme’s rules.

Permanent Residency Versus Dual Nationality

Settled status is not the same as British citizenship; it grants permanent residency but does not confer a British passport or voting rights in general elections.

You can hold dual nationality by applying for British citizenship after one year of holding settled status, provided you meet other criteria like good character and residency tests.

If you choose to apply for citizenship, you must maintain your immigration status without violating residency rules. Dual citizenship does not affect your rights under the EU Settlement Scheme, but it does formally change your status to British.

Visa Rules, Immigration Pathways, and Dual Citizenship

You must meet stricter visa requirements introduced in 2025 that affect how you work, study, or bring family members to the UK. These changes impact your eligibility for the different visa routes and influence your path to dual citizenship.

Work Visa Requirements

The 2025 immigration rules raise the minimum salary threshold for work visas. You generally need to earn at least £30,000 annually or meet a specific salary rate relevant to your job.

Your job must be on the approved skilled occupation list to qualify. This list has become narrower, focusing on higher skilled roles. You must also prove your English proficiency.

Visa applications require more paperwork, including detailed job contracts and employer sponsorship. Your application should follow the updated points-based system criteria carefully to avoid refusals.

Student Visa Options

Student visas now have tighter conditions. You must prove you have enough funds for tuition and living costs without relying on public funds.

Your course must be with a licensed sponsor recognised by the UK government. Additionally, there are stricter limits on work hours while studying—usually up to 20 hours per week during term time.

After graduation, new rules affect your ability to stay and work. The Graduate Route permits staying for up to two years post-study, but eligibility requires meeting specific criteria under the updated policy.

Family Reunification and Sponsorship

Sponsoring family members has become more complex. If you want to extend your stay as a spouse or partner, you must meet higher income requirements, usually £26,200 per year or more depending on dependants.

You must also show that the relationship is genuine and that you meet the UK's legal standards around marriage and civil partnerships.

Applications must now clearly avoid breaches of immigration laws, like overstaying or working without permission, which can disqualify you from sponsorship or settlement.

The application process demands more detailed documentation, and breaches of new rules risk refusal or delay in gaining dual citizenship.

Looking for trusted legal experts? Athi Law offers experienced business immigration solicitors to support your company’s global talent needs, specialists in commercial conveyancing to protect your property transactions, and reliable independent legal advice for mortgage agreements. We also assist with immigration for parents, helping reunite families with care. Speak to us today!

Free Movement and Border Controls in 2025

Since Brexit, the UK no longer allows free movement with the European Union. You now face stricter border controls and new systems for travel and work. These changes affect how you enter the UK, especially if you hold dual citizenship with an EU country.

Impact on Cross-Border Mobility

Free movement between the UK and the EU has ended. If you have dual citizenship, you no longer automatically have the right to live or work in both places without permission. Instead, the UK uses a points-based immigration system, requiring visas or permits depending on your situation.

Travel between the UK and EU now involves more checks. Border controls use your passport and any visa or permission you hold. This can mean longer wait times and extra documentation for dual citizens who once relied on free movement rights.

EES and ETA Implementation

The UK introduced the Entry/Exit System (EES) in 2025 to better track non-UK travellers. When you enter or leave the UK, your biometric data, such as fingerprints and a photo, will be recorded. This system aims to improve border security and reduce illegal stays.

You also need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel if you are a visa-exempt traveller, including some EU citizens. The ETA is an online pre-travel approval, which helps the UK manage how many people enter its borders. You must apply before your trip, and it is valid for multiple visits over a set period.

Practical Implications for Dual Citizens

As a dual citizen, you should be aware of your passport use when travelling. The UK may require you to use your UK passport to enter or leave the country, while EU countries expect their own passports to be used.

You must understand the rules about visas, ETAs, and the EES to avoid problems at the border. Keep your travel documents up to date and apply for any necessary permissions ahead of time.

If you intend to live or work in the UK, your EU citizenship no longer guarantees unrestricted access. You need to meet the UK’s immigration requirements like any non-British national. This can affect your rights and the time you spend moving between countries.

Economic, Tax, and Trade Implications for Dual Citizens

Brexit has introduced important changes that affect your financial and tax duties, trade activities, and banking options. Understanding these shifts will help you manage your obligations and make informed decisions across both countries where you hold citizenship.

Financial Accounts and Tax Obligations

As a dual citizen, you must be aware that UK tax laws no longer benefit from the EU’s frameworks. You are responsible for declaring income in both countries if required, which can create double taxation risks. The UK does not tax based on citizenship but residency, while some other countries, like the US, tax worldwide income regardless of residence.

To avoid overpaying, check if a double taxation agreement exists between the UK and your second country. You can claim relief under these treaties using the Self Assessment system. Also, digital money transfer services like Wise offer more transparent and cost-effective options for managing cross-border funds, which can help reduce banking fees.

Trade and Business Ownership Challenges

Brexit ended the UK’s participation in the EU’s customs union and single market from 2021. This affects dual citizens who run businesses or trade goods between the UK and EU member states. You may face new tariffs, customs checks, and regulatory barriers, increasing both cost and complexity.

Free trade agreements the UK has established can ease some hurdles, but these are not as comprehensive as EU membership. You might need to adjust supply chains or reconsider where you base your business operations to maintain smooth trade flows and meet new compliance demands.

Currency and Banking Considerations

Post-Brexit, banking rules between the UK and EU changed, affecting how easily you can access services. Some EU banks restrict UK residents or dual citizens, and vice versa, limiting account options. Currency exchange rates have also fluctuated more due to political shifts, impacting the cost of transfers and investments.

Using services with low fees and transparent exchange rates, such as Wise, helps you manage currency risk better. Keep in mind that cross-border banking can require additional documentation and reporting to meet anti-money laundering regulations, so stay prepared for these demands.

Migration Patterns, Policy Evolution, and the Future

Migration to the UK has shifted noticeably since Brexit. You will see changes in net migration numbers, how immigration policies have evolved, and what may come next under new leadership.

Net Migration Trends

Since 2016, net migration to the UK has shown significant fluctuations. After Brexit, there was a sharp drop in EU migrants due to the end of free movement. However, total migration hit a record high by the end of 2022, with about 1.15 million long-term arrivals.

This increase was driven by several factors: humanitarian migration grew with refugees from Ukraine and Hong Kong arriving. Student and economic migration also contributed to the rise. Nevertheless, net migration is expected to fall sharply through 2024 due to tighter border controls and new policies.

You should note that irregular migration has also grown, complicating predictions.

Shifts in Migration Policy Post-Brexit

The UK government has introduced the most significant changes to its immigration system in decades. The free movement of EU citizens ended in 2021, replaced by a points-based system focusing on skills and jobs.

Policies now favour skilled workers and limit low-skilled migration. The government also created new humanitarian routes while tightening student visa rules in 2023. These reforms aimed to both reduce overall arrivals and control who could settle long-term.

Labour leader Keir Starmer has called for balanced immigration policies that support the economy but maintain public confidence. You should expect policy debates to continue as migration remains politically sensitive.

Looking Ahead: Potential Changes

Future migration rules will likely reflect economic needs and public opinion shifts. You may see adjustments to integration efforts and refugee policies to manage humanitarian crises better.

If Keir Starmer’s Labour government takes power, it might soften some restrictions while still aiming to control net migration. AI tools may play a bigger role in shaping public policies by analysing attitudes toward migration.

Student numbers could also be influenced by new rules, potentially reversing recent declines.

In the coming years, migration policy will balance between openness for skilled and humanitarian migrants and tighter border enforcement overall.

At Athi Law, we specialise in tailored legal solutions. Whether you need a skilled worker visa solicitor, guidance on immigration for students or immigration for investors, our experts are here to help. Our trusted commercial lease solicitors and independent legal advice solicitors ensure your business and personal matters are in safe hands. Contact us today for professional legal advice!