Can I Apply for British Citizenship If I Already Have Dual Citizenship? The Complete Answer

11 Aug Can I Apply for British Citizenship If I Already Have Dual Citizenship? The Complete Answer

“If I get British citizenship, do I lose my Italian one?” It is one of the most common questions among those who have lived in the UK for years and are considering naturalisation. The short answer is no — but there are some important things to know, especially with the changes introduced in 2026.

The UK’s Position on Dual Citizenship

The United Kingdom fully permits dual citizenship — and more broadly, multiple citizenship. There is no requirement to renounce your original nationality to become a British citizen, nor are there restrictions on the number of passports you can hold simultaneously under UK law.

This means an Italian citizen can become British while retaining Italian citizenship, a Brazilian citizen can become British while retaining Brazilian citizenship, and so on.

And Italy? Will I Lose Italian Citizenship?

No. Italy recognises and permits dual (and multiple) citizenship. Becoming a British citizen does not result in automatic loss of Italian citizenship — neither Italy nor the UK requires it.

There is, however, one important step not to overlook: you must notify the relevant Italian Consulate General of your acquisition of British citizenship, to update the consular register and your AIRE registration. This is a formal requirement, not a renunciation.

Can I Hold More Than Two Citizenships?

Yes — under UK law there is no limit to the number of citizenships you may hold. You can be Italian, British, and in the future a citizen of a third country — provided that third country permits it.

It is important to check the specific rules of each country involved: some states do not permit dual or multiple citizenship and require you to renounce a previous nationality upon acquiring a new one. The UK and Italy do not fall into this category.

What Changed in 2026: The Passport Rule

A significant 2026 development concerns travel to the UK for dual nationals. From 25 February 2026, British citizens with dual nationality travelling to the UK must demonstrate their British citizen status at the point of boarding — and the safest and most straightforward way to do this is to present a valid British passport.

In practice, if you hold British citizenship but travel only on your Italian passport, the carrier (airline, Eurostar, etc.) may be unable to verify your right of entry and could deny you boarding.

Exception: those who held Settled Status (EUSS) before naturalising as British citizens may continue to travel to the UK on their European passport or national identity card, provided the document is linked to their UKVI account. This exception applies indefinitely, according to the Home Office guidance updated in March 2026.

If you do not fall within this exception, the simplest solution is to apply for a British passport immediately after your citizenship ceremony.

Dual Citizenship and Taxation: What to Know

Holding two citizenships can have tax implications. The UK does not apply citizenship-based taxation (unlike, for example, the USA), but residence-based taxation. If you are tax-resident in the UK, you pay tax in the UK. If you also have tax residence in another country, the double taxation agreements (DTTs) between the two countries come into play.

For complex tax situations, it is always advisable to consult an accountant or tax adviser specialising in international tax law.

Dual Citizenship and Diplomacy: A Limitation to Know

Something many people are unaware of: if you are in Italy and need British consular assistance, the UK government may not be able to intervene fully on your behalf — because Italy considers you its own citizen. The same applies in reverse. This is a general rule of international law, not specific to the UK or Italy.

How We Can Help

Words at Hand translates into English all foreign documents needed for a British naturalisation application — birth certificates, marriage certificates, criminal records and more. Our certified translations are accepted by the Home Office and comply with all UKVI requirements.Contact us: cristina@wordsathand.com | WhatsApp: +44 7824 347667 | wordsathand.com/contact