10. Who has a right to British nationality?

There are six types of nationality. All of them can have a British passport. The largest group is British citizens, who have the 'right of abode'. Most children born in the UK become British citizens when they are born.

Until the law was changed at the beginning of 1983, everyone born here became a citizen unless their parents were here as foreign diplomats when they were born. However, since 1983, children only become citizens if the parents are settled in the UK when the child is born. If the parents still have a time limit on their stay or have no permission to be here when the child is born, the child does not become a citizen. However, the child will be able to become a British citizen if their parents settle here later.

Anyone who becomes a British citizen in the UK can pass on citizenship to their child born abroad. British citizens have rights to travel freely and to work in European Economic Area countries. Other people who live in the UK need permission from other European countries if they want to work there. People born abroad who become British citizens because their parents are citizens cannot pass on their citizenship to their own children born abroad.