What happens if I give up my British citizenship?
Andrew Ramirez
Published Mar 21, 2026
You can give up more than one at a time. Giving up your citizenship or status only affects you and not any other members of your family – although it could affect the status of any children you have in future. Your right to live in the UK will be affected if you give up citizenship.
Is a British citizen the same as a UK citizen?
All British nationals are eligible to be issued with UK passports. However, only British citizens have the automatic right to live and work in the UK. It is extremely important for individuals relocating to the UK to fully understand the rights they have under their passport.
Can I get my British citizenship back?
To be able to get your British citizenship back, you will need to visit the government website, or a UK embassy and get an RS1 form. Remember that you can only reapply for British citizenship once. If you renounce it again, getting it back is going to be more difficult.
How do you know if you are a UK national?
Check if you’re a British citizen
- Overview.
- Born in the UK or a British colony before 1 January 1983.
- Born in the UK between 1 January 1983 and 1 October 2000.
- Born in the UK between 2 October 2000 and 29 April 2006.
- Born in the UK between 30 April 2006 and 30 June 2021.
- Born in the UK from 1 July 2021 onwards.
What is a British person called?
British people in general are called brit or in plural britek but the term is less widespread. Great Britain is called Nagy-Britannia but the United Kingdom is called Egyesült Királyság.
How long can British citizen stay in Europe?
90 days
If you’re a tourist, you do not need a visa for short trips to EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. You can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
How do I get my British passport back?
To be able to get your British citizenship back, you will need to visit the government website, or a UK embassy and get an RS1 form. Within this form, you’ll have to answer many questions about yourself, why you renounced your citizenship, and why you want it back.
Can I apply for a British passport if my mother was born in England?
An application for British nationality can be made if you were born before 1 January 1983 to a mother who was born in the UK. In such situations, the relevant mother is considered as being British other than by descent and passes British citizenship to her children. You can apply for your British passport.
How do I naturalize as a British citizen?
There are 5 basic requirements to apply for British citizenship through naturalisation that most candidates must meet.
- Be over 18 years old.
- Be of “good character”.
- Be currently living in the UK.
- Meet the English language requirements.
- Pass the “Life in the UK” test.
How long does it take to get British Citizenship after applying 2021?
After you’ve applied. You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months. You need to tell the Home Office if you change your personal details during this time.
How do I know if I’m a British national?
You are British if you were born in the UK, provided at least one of your parents was a citizen or “settled” in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands at the time of your birth.
Do you have to be born in the UK to be a British citizen?
If you or your parents were born in the UK, you might automatically be a British citizen. Check if you’re a British citizen based on whether you were: If you’re not automatically a British citizen, you may still be able to apply to become a British citizen.
How can I find out if I’m a British citizen?
Check if you’re a British citizen based on whether you were: If you’re not automatically a British citizen, you may still be able to apply to become a British citizen. Your rights as a British citizen. If you’re a British citizen you can live and work in the UK free of any immigration controls. You can also apply for a UK passport.
What happens when you move to the UK with a foreign spouse?
This means that if the UK national has been living outside of the British system for some time, he or she must first re-enter the system, i.e. return to the UK ahead of their spouse, and register with all relevant institutions such as National Insurance and council tax to get flagged as fully resident again.
Do you have to pay for biometric information when applying for British citizenship?
After you’ve applied you must also pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken. You’ll be sent a letter explaining what to do. If you send the wrong fee your application will not be processed and you’ll have to apply again.
