A British woman has described her fear of being stranded in Spain for months after being refused boarding on a flight to London due to new Home Office border rules. Natasha Cochrane de la Rosa, 26, was born in the UK to a British father and Spanish mother, but was not automatically entitled to British citizenship because her parents were not married.
Before Brexit, she could travel on her Spanish passport under free movement laws. However, after a short break in the Netherlands, she was forced to sleep in the airport overnight and later learned of the rule change requiring dual nationals to present a British passport or obtain a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode, costing £589.
At the departure gate, an easyJet worker asked for her documentation. Despite having a British birth certificate and driving licence, she was refused boarding. The British embassy also declined her application for emergency travel documents, stating it did not meet their threshold.
Her father, Nick, called the situation 'ludicrous', noting that his daughter was born in the UK, educated there, and pays taxes, yet is denied entry. They have contacted their local MP, Catherine West, for assistance.
The Home Office defended the rules, stating guidance has been available since October 2024. However, critics argue that the government failed to adequately communicate the changes, leaving many dual nationals stranded.
