An Aberdeenshire family recently faced a distressing situation when their baby was denied entry back to Scotland after a holiday in Spain. Sarah Rodgers, her husband Philipp, and their two children, including ten-month-old Lily, had flown from Scotland to Alicante on Thursday, April 23.
On the day of their return flight with Ryanair, Sarah and Lily were informed at the gate that they could not board. The confusion stemmed from the fact that, although both children are dual British/Austrian nationals born in Scotland, Lily only held an Austrian passport. Sarah was informed that the new travel rules mandated an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for their return to the UK.
New Travel Rules Impact Dual Nationals
The family learned that recent changes to the UK’s border system, effective February 2026, require dual nationals to possess either a British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement to enter the UK. Despite their belief that Lily, as a British citizen, would not need an ETA, the rules have shifted, now impacting dual nationals significantly.
- Travel Date: Thursday, April 23
- Location: Alicante, Spain
- Issue: Denial of boarding due to new travel rules
- Costs: £180 for a one-night stay in Alicante
- Potential Wait: Up to ten weeks for a British passport application
Family’s Next Steps
After being denied boarding, the family sought assistance from the British Embassy in Alicante. Unfortunately, their application for an ETA was quickly rejected. Sarah expressed her frustration, stating it felt almost absurd that a baby could be barred from returning to the country where she was born.
The parents are contemplating travel to the Republic of Ireland, from where they could potentially enter Northern Ireland and subsequently the UK. Sarah highlighted her concerns about having to leave the continent due to the 90-day limit for EU stays.
Government Response
The Home Office has commented that from February 25, 2026, every dual British citizen must present suitable documentation, or they risk being denied entry. This policy aims to standardize the entry requirements, aligning with procedures in other countries like the United States and Australia.
While the family is now navigating the implications of these new regulations, they hope for a swift resolution to bring their daughter home. They were aware of the updated ETA rules but did not think they would apply to Lily, highlighting a gap in understanding the changes affecting dual citizenship.
