A woman has not been able to return to the UK from Spain after she was denied re-entry following changes in UK border rules. Under rules introduced on February 25, dual nationals can no longer enter the UK using a foreign passport alone. They must now present either a British or Irish passport, or possess a digital certificate of entitlement.
The Home Office law change has created problems for dual nationals, who have been scrambling to get a UK passport to follow the new rules. Natasha Cochrane De Le Rosa was prevented from boarding a flight from Amsterdam to Luton after spending a few days in the European city earlier this month, before travelling to Spain.
Natasha arrived in Amsterdam on April 2 to spend time with friends. On the scheduled day of return, April 6, she checked in and was able to get through security and passport control before being denied boarding.
The 26-year-old showed airport staff her birth certificate, national insurance number, P45 and dad’s birth certificate but was not allowed to board as she didn’t have acceptable documentation.
Natasha was born and raised in Islington, North London, and has a British dad and Spanish mum. As Natasha’s parents were unmarried when she was born in 1999, her dad was unable to automatically pass on his citizenship.
Natasha Cochrane De La Rosa -Credit:Natasha Cochrane De La Rosa © SWNS
Natasha told SWNS that in order to get home, she must either pay £589 for a digital certificate of entitlement or apply for a British passport. However, she must “prove” her mum had free movement rights across the EU at the time she was born. Natasha claims she never received paperwork for this.
She claimed after Brexit, her mum had applied for settlement papers along with her younger sister who was born in Spain. Both were granted the papers but Natasha said she was told she “didn’t qualify” as she was already a British citizen.
Natasha, who works as a client success manager, said: “I was born in Islington, I have paid taxes and I have voted. I am a dual national, I do have British nationality but the government are saying none of that. I booked a flight to Seville and I am staying with a family friend.
“Luckily, I am privileged enough to have a haven essentially but if I didn’t have any ties to my country, didn’t speak the language or have anywhere to stay, I would have been left homeless in the Netherlands.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Since February 25, 2026, all dual British citizens need to present either a valid British passport of Certificate of Entitlement when travelling to the UK.
“To prove citizenship and enter the UK legally, individuals can apply for a British passport or Certificate of Entitlement from abroad. Public information advising dual nationals to carry the correct documentation has been available since October 2024 and a substantive communications campaign about the introduction of ETA has been running since 2023.”
Natasha Cochrane De La Rosa -Credit:Natasha Cochrane De La Rosa © SWNS
(Natasha Cochrane De La Rosa © SWNS)
The statement added: “This requirement applies to all British citizens regardless of other nationality and is the same approach taken by other countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia.”
Natasha said she feels the government has “failed” and they have a responsibility to dual nationals and the population of the UK, that such dramatic and important law changes are effectively communicated. She said: “People are commenting on my social media posts telling me they would be in the same position as me if they had not come across my story.”
Natasha has accepted responsibility for not checking, but didn’t realise it would be necessary after 26 years. She added: “The system is poorly designed and offers no support or understanding for citizens like myself who do not hit the check box but are still a British citizen.”