Britons residing in Spain barred from Madrid flight in article-Brexit journey row

British people flying house to Spain have been prevented from boarding a joint BA/Iberia flight to Madrid on Saturday night time after airline team stated their pre-Brexit residency papers have been no for a longer period valid.

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Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Visuals

A whole of 9 folks weren’t permitted to board at Heathrow, among them journalist and photographer Max Duncan, who was advised his environmentally friendly residency paper was no lengthier legitimate, even while the two the Spanish and British governments have reported both equally the aged Overseas National Identification (NIE) document and the new International ID Card (TIE) stay valid.

In a tweet from the British embassy in Madrid, Duncan was assured that the eco-friendly paper was valid. “This need to not be happening, the Spanish authorities have reconfirmed all over again this evening that the inexperienced residency doc will be valid for journey to return to Spain as said in our vacation suggestions,” officials claimed by using the embassy’s @UKinSpain account.

Duncan tweeted in response: “Thank you @ukinspain for confirming the inexperienced card is valid, that Spain has reconfirmed this as well and that this should not be occurring.”

Duncan interviewed just one few at the airport who said they were “absolutely gutted” after remaining advised they experienced the completely wrong residency document and desired the TIE card. “We’re likely household. Spain is house,” mentioned the unknown lady, introducing that her husband was jogging out of critical treatment.

Movie: To start with ferries get there in Dover and Dublin beneath put up-Brexit rules (PA Media)

Initially ferries arrive in Dover and Dublin underneath article-Brexit regulations

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A further pair claimed they had been explained to at the check out-in desk that the eco-friendly NIE card was no more time valid. When they contacted the British embassy, they reported personnel advised them they experienced received a large amount of phone calls about the trouble.

Relevant: British inhabitants in Spain ‘confused and alarmed’ about submit-Brexit future

It was not just the Madrid flight that was affected. A man or woman with the take care of @daisyqueen tweeted: “My daughter and her spouse influenced. Been in Heathrow for 12 several hours – refused vacation initial BA flight to Barcelona then instructed could vacation tonight so waited only to be refused as BA say travellers were being returned from Barcelona.”

The Spanish government introduced very last 12 months that in the light of Brexit, British people in Spain would be presented a photograph ID card that would replace the former residency paper carried by EU citizens.

Tens of thousands of Britons have registered for the new card and the software procedure seems to have long gone effortlessly. Even so, there are no out there dates to gather the card because the procedure is so overloaded.

The British embassy reported on its Fb site on Saturday night it had gained many messages from British isles inhabitants in Spain who did not still have the documentation they essential. It reported it had “requested larger flexibility” from Spain in the situations of individuals who experienced not however been ready to acquire their TIE card, college students who are because of to resume experiments , and for people who may well be caring for aged or vulnerable spouse and children members.

© Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Photos
Britons who dwell in Spain stated they experienced been advised they had the incorrect documentation to return house put up-Brexit.

There are around 300,000 British citizens in Spain, though the variety may perhaps be a lot bigger as quite a few are living outside the house the Spanish procedure.