Scottish mother stranded in Alicante after infant denied UK entry under new dual nationality rules

Sarah Schloegl, a mother from Aberdeen, was refused boarding on a Ryanair flight from Alicante last week while attempting to return to the United Kingdom with her 11-month-old infant. The refusal occurred under new regulations introduced by the Labour government in February, which mandate that British dual nationals present a British passport or a certificate of entitlement of abode to board flights, trains, or ferries to the UK.

The infant was denied entry because she did not possess a British passport or the required certificate, despite being born in Scotland and holding an Austrian passport. Schloegl explained that while she was aware of the Electronic Travel Authorisation requirements for her Austrian in-laws, the specific documentation rule for dual nationals had not been displayed on airport posters or airline websites prior to the change.

Following the refusal, the family was stranded abroad as the baby was deemed ineligible for emergency travel documents. A British embassy spokesperson indicated that the infant did not meet the criteria for special papers, noting that emergency documents are generally only available to those who already hold a passport, with exceptions reserved for urgent medical travel or attending the funeral of a close relative.

The incident has drawn criticism from the campaign group the3million, which has written to European affairs minister Nick Thomas-Symonds and European Commission head Maroš Šefčovič. The group argues that the implementation of the Brexit withdrawal agreement should cover children who become dual British nationals at birth due to a parent being British or settled in the UK, a point currently under review.

Immigration minister Mike Tapp has previously dismissed complaints regarding the lack of communication about these rules as absurd. However, campaigner Monique Hawkins contends that the Home Office failed to demonstrate compassion by refusing boarding to an infant, despite the government's stated intention to take a pragmatic approach to travellers experiencing genuine difficulty.

A Home Office spokesperson stated that public information advising British dual nationals on correct documentation has been available on gov.uk since October 2024, with a substantive communications campaign regarding the Electronic Travel Authorisation running since 2023. The department refused to comment on the specific case but reiterated that the rules require specific proof of status for entry.