A dream holiday turned into a distressing ordeal for an elderly British couple who were detained upon arrival in Spain due to a discrepancy in their COVID vaccination records.
Roger and Christine Barker, pensioners from Essex, were held for several hours at Alicante-Elche Airport after authorities flagged an issue with their NHS vaccine passes. The couple, who had meticulously planned their trip to Benidorm, found themselves separated and questioned by border officials.
Their daughter, Sarah Barker, expressed shock and frustration: "My parents are in their late 70s and fully vaccinated. They followed all the rules, yet they were treated like criminals. The Spanish authorities wouldn't accept their NHS passes and kept them in separate rooms for questioning."
The incident highlights ongoing confusion surrounding post-Brexit travel documentation and COVID requirements for British citizens visiting EU countries. Despite having valid passports and what they believed were correct health documents, the Barkers faced intense scrutiny.
Sarah received a panicked call from her mother during the ordeal: "She was crying and saying they were being detained. We felt helpless back home, not knowing what was happening or how to help them."
After several tense hours, the couple was eventually released but ordered to quarantine at their hotel until the matter could be resolved. The family has since contacted the British Embassy for assistance.
Travel experts warn that such incidents may become more common as documentation requirements continue to evolve. They advise travellers to double-check all entry requirements and carry physical copies of vaccination records alongside digital versions.
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Spain, reminding British citizens to ensure their COVID documentation meets EU standards. A spokesperson stated: "We are assisting a British couple who were detained in Spain and are in contact with local authorities."
The Barkers' experience serves as a cautionary tale for British travellers planning European getaways, emphasizing the importance of verifying all health documentation requirements before departure.
