Dual-national baby refused entry to UK after passport rule change

Eleven-month-old Lily Rodgers, born in Scotland with an Austrian passport held by her father, was refused boarding to travel to the UK because she did not have a valid British passport or digital certificate of entitlement. Luggage had already been loaded when the issue was flagged, and staff directed the family to the help desk. They spent the night in a hotel and were told to visit the consulate in the morning, where they were informed the process could take weeks. The family booked a flight to Vienna to stay with Philipp's family. Lily's Austrian passport states she was born in Britain, and a birth certificate could not be used as proof under the new rules that require a British passport or digital certificate of entitlement linked to the other passport.

New entry requirements for British dual nationals came into effect. Under the changes tied to the ETA rollout, dual nationals must present a valid British passport or a digital certificate of entitlement; travelling with a foreign passport to enter the UK is no longer permitted.

The Rodgers say they had travelled with Lily earlier in February, doing the same with Lily as they had with their older daughter during a previous trip.