Scottish mother and father from Ellon, Aberdeenshire, are nonetheless unable to fly dwelling after authorities prevented their younger daughter from boarding a flight dwelling in Alicante.
Sarah Rogers and her Austrian husband Philippe spent per week in Spain with their three-year-old Heidi and 11-month-old Lily once they found they did not have sufficient documentation at immigration.
The couple, frightened by the sudden flip of occasions, waited on the assist desk for 2 hours earlier than getting their belongings again.
Airport employees perform strict twin nationality checks
Child Lily solely has an Austrian passport issued within the UK and displaying her place of origin, however doesn’t meet the service’s necessities for proof of entry into the UK.
New border measures launched on 25 February 2026, specifically the Digital Journey Authorization (ETA), require twin nationals to current both a British passport or a Certificates of Entitlement. Airways at the moment are required to refuse boarding with out such certification to adjust to immigration reform. The household believed their British standing exempted them from extra permits, however solely discovered on departure that this was not the case.
Transferring to Austria turns into the one life like choice
Excessive resort costs in Spain and the refusal of emergency journey paperwork pressured the household to reroute to Austria searching for free household lodging.
Philip is from Austria, so family supplied to assist him whereas he waited for his passport. Lily’s utility for her first British passport is being assisted by Aberdeenshire Registry employees who despatched the unique paperwork on to her. Nonetheless, with no speedy response for infants, processing time can prolong to 10 weeks or extra.
EU keep restrictions pose a double downside
An prolonged absence dangers breaching the 90-day Schengen guidelines for Lilly, a non-EU passport holder. Sarah will stay in Austria along with her two youngsters, however Philip will quickly should return to his electronics job in Scotland. Heidi is alleged to be beginning to really feel strained by her household and repeatedly asking about returning to highschool in her hometown.
Further journey bills are incurred
The associated fee already contains greater than €1,000 in detour flights and lodging in Spain, with the journey again to Aberdeen anticipated to value one other €1,000 or extra. Mother and father now have to fret in regards to the prices if the postponement extends additional into the summer season.
Again within the UK, a number of authorities departments offered little or no assist regardless of quite a few contacts all through the method.
Official steerage on the most recent UK entry guidelines
Officers mentioned public info on the twin state requirement has been in circulation since October 2024, and a broader marketing campaign has been lively since 2023.
Related requirements apply in nations akin to the US, Canada, and Australia. The incident ought to function a warning to different British households with youngsters of a number of nationalities.
