New UK passport rules could see British children born abroad denied entry to Britain from next week. For the first time, dual citizens - including children and babies - will have to present a passport for flights, ferries or trains into Britain or pay for a 'certificate of entitlement.'
The rules will come into force from Wednesday next week - and there has been a backlash from Britons overseas feeling blindsided by the change in border controls. The Bulletin was contacted by one British resident in Mallorca who was fuming.
"I’m a Briton with permanent residence and live full time in Mallorca, with 2 kids born in Spain to my Spanish girlfriend. For now they only have Spanish passports (they’re 2 and 4 months). Have you seen the problem facing us from 25 February?
"We plan to visit my parents flying to Gatwick on 26th February and intended to apply for the UK ETA for the 2 kids (and my girlfriend) - but apparently from 25th U.K. nationals, which the kids are automatically apparently by birth, can only enter with a valid U.K. passport (no time to apply for that plus extra cost having already paid for a Spanish one every 2 years) or a certificate of entitlement which costs a crazy £590 (and requires an embassy visit)? What a ridiculous situation.
"Potentially we will be denied boarding in Palma or refused entry at Gatwick," he said, adding that it was a nightmare scenario.