Scottish dad and mom from Ellon, Aberdeenshire, are nonetheless unable to fly residence after authorities prevented their younger daughter from boarding a flight residence 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 after 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 workers perform strict twin nationality checks
Child Lily solely has an Austrian passport issued within the UK and exhibiting her place of origin, however doesn’t meet the provider’s necessities for proof of entry into the UK.
New border measures launched on 25 February 2026, particularly the Digital Journey Authorization (ETA), require twin nationals to current both a British passport or a Certificates of Entitlement. Airways are actually 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 sensible choice
Excessive lodge costs in Spain and the refusal of emergency journey paperwork pressured the household to reroute to Austria in the hunt for free household lodging.
Philip is from Austria, so relations supplied to help him whereas he waited for his passport. Lily’s utility for her first British passport is being assisted by Aberdeenshire Registry workers who despatched the unique paperwork on to her. Nonetheless, with out a fast 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 must return to his electronics job in Scotland. Heidi is alleged to be beginning to really feel strained by her household and has repeatedly requested about returning to high school in her hometown.
Further journey bills will probably be incurred
The price 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. Dad and mom now have to fret concerning the prices if the postponement extends additional into the summer season.
Again within the UK, a number of authorities departments supplied little or no help regardless of quite a few contacts all through the method.
Official steerage on the newest UK entry guidelines
Officers mentioned public data on the twin state requirement has been in circulation since October 2024, and a broader marketing campaign has been energetic since 2023.
Related requirements apply in international locations comparable to the US, Canada, and Australia. The incident ought to function a warning to different British households with youngsters of a number of nationalities.
