What are the requirements for British citizenship in 2026?

The main requirements are: hold ILR or settled status, have lived in the UK for at least 12 months since getting ILR, meet the residency requirements (not spent more than 450 days outside the UK in 5 years), pass the Life in the UK test, prove B1 English, and be of good character.

How long do I need ILR before I can apply for citizenship?

You need to have held ILR (or equivalent settled status) for at least 12 months before you can apply for citizenship by naturalisation. If you are married to a British citizen, you may be able to apply sooner.

What is the good character requirement?

The good character requirement means you must not have serious criminal convictions, must not have deceived the Home Office, must be up to date with taxes, and must not have breached immigration laws. Minor offences may not automatically disqualify you.

Can I apply for citizenship if I have a criminal record?

It depends on the severity. Minor offences (such as minor traffic offences) may not prevent you from getting citizenship. Serious criminal convictions, prison sentences, or patterns of offending are likely to result in refusal. Each case is assessed individually.

How much time can I spend outside the UK and still qualify?

In the 5 years before your application, you must not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK. In the 12 months before your application, you must not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK.

Do I need to give up my other nationality?

The UK allows dual nationality. You do not need to give up your existing citizenship when you become British. However, check the rules of your home country, as some countries do not allow dual citizenship.

British Citizenship Requirements 2026

British citizenship by naturalisation requires you to hold ILR, meet residency requirements, pass the Life in the UK test, prove English language ability at B1 level, and satisfy the good character test. This guide covers every requirement in detail for 2026.

Who Can Apply for British Citizenship?

British citizenship by naturalisation is available to adults who have lived in the UK with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or EU Settled Status. You must have been resident in the UK for a qualifying period and meet several other requirements.

The most common route is naturalisation after holding ILR for at least 12 months. For the full application process, see our how to apply guide.

Requirement 1: Immigration Status

You must hold one of the following:

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
EU Settled Status
Right of Abode

You cannot apply for citizenship while on a temporary visa. You must first apply for and be granted ILR. See our ILR requirements guide for how to qualify.

You must have held ILR for at least 12 months at the time of your citizenship application. If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, some requirements may be slightly different.

Requirement 2: Residency

You must have been living in the UK for a qualifying period. The residency requirements are:

For Most Applicants

You must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years before your application.
In those 5 years, you must not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK.
In the 12 months before your application, you must not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK.
You must have had ILR for at least 12 months.

For Spouses of British Citizens

You must have lived in the UK for at least 3 years before your application.
In those 3 years, you must not have spent more than 270 days outside the UK.
In the 12 months before your application, you must not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK.
You must have had ILR at the time of application (no minimum holding period required for spouses).

Track your absences carefully. Days outside the UK add up faster than most people expect.

Requirement 3: English Language

You must prove your English language ability at B1 level (intermediate) or above. This can be done through:

A SELT (Secure English Language Test) at B1 level or higher from an approved provider.
A degree taught in English (from a UK university or a recognised overseas institution).
Being a national of a majority English-speaking country.

If you already proved B1 English when you applied for ILR, you can reuse that certificate (as long as it is still valid). See our English language tests guide for details.

Requirement 4: Life in the UK Test

You must pass the Life in the UK test. This is a computer-based test with 24 questions about British traditions, history, and values. You need to get at least 18 out of 24 correct (75%).

The test costs £50 per attempt. If you already passed it for ILR, you do not need to take it again. The certificate does not expire.

Requirement 5: Good Character

The Home Office assesses whether you are of "good character." This is a broad test that considers:

Criminal record: Serious offences or recent convictions can lead to refusal. The severity, how long ago it happened, and the sentence all matter.
Immigration compliance: Have you breached any immigration conditions? Have you overstayed a visa? Have you worked illegally?
Honesty: Have you provided false or misleading information in any immigration application?
Tax affairs: Are you up to date with your tax obligations? Tax evasion or significant unpaid tax can affect your application.
Financial soundness: Bankruptcy or significant debts are considered, though they do not automatically disqualify you.

Minor traffic offences or a single old conviction are unlikely to prevent citizenship on their own. However, any concern should be discussed with an immigration solicitor before applying.

Requirement 6: Intention to Live in the UK

You must intend to continue living in the UK (or maintain a close connection to the UK through employment or family) after becoming a citizen. The Home Office does not strictly enforce this, but it is a formal requirement.

Costs and Processing Time

The total cost of a citizenship application is approximately £1,344 (see the latest fee schedule). See our citizenship cost breakdown for the full details.

Processing takes approximately 6 months. There is no priority service. See our citizenship processing time guide and our status tracking guide for more.

Dual Nationality

The UK allows dual (or multiple) nationality. Becoming a British citizen does not require you to give up your existing citizenship. However, some countries do not allow dual nationality, so check the rules of your home country.

If you are unsure about how becoming British affects your other nationality, seek advice from the embassy or consulate of your home country.