Home Office

Natasha Cochrane De La Rosa, 26, was born in London but has been left stranded in Spain after new UK border rules for dual nationals meant she was denied boarding on a flight back home

A British-born woman has been left stranded in Spain after falling foul of new UK border regulations that resulted in her being refused re-entry to the country.

Natasha Cochrane De La Rosa was barred from boarding a return flight from Amsterdam to Luton after spending a short holiday there with friends.

On her scheduled day of departure on April 6, the-26-year-old successfully passed through check-in, security and passport control, only to be turned away at the gate, she claimed.

The Home Office introduced updated regulations on February 25 stating that dual nationals can no longer enter the UK solely using a foreign passport.

They must now produce either a British or Irish passport or hold a digital certificate of entitlement.

Natasha was born and brought up in Islington, North London, and has a British father and Spanish mother.

As her parents were unmarried at the time of her birth, her father was unable to automatically pass on his citizenship, something Natasha says has placed her in a ‘grey area’, reports the Manchester Evening News.

She says that in order to return home, she must either pay £589 for a digital certificate of entitlement or apply for a British passport.

To do so, she explained she must ‘prove’ her mother held free movement rights across the EU at the time of her birth – documentation she says she never received.

Natasha, a client success manager who now lives in Haringey, North London, said: “I was born in Islington, I have paid taxes, I have voted. I am a dual national I do have British nationality but the government are saying none of that I have lived for 26 years matters anymore.”

Natasha is currently staying in Spain with a family friend, having booked a flight from Amsterdam to Seville after being unable to return to London.

“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”, she said.

“I feel the government have 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.

“People are commenting on my social media posts saying they would be in the same position as me if they had not come across my story. While I do take responsibility for not having checked, why would I check something that for 26 years of my life I’ve never had to do.

“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.”

Natasha originally departed from Luton Airport on April 2, spending several days in Amsterdam on a holiday with friends.

On her scheduled return on April 6, she claims she was able to check in, pass through security and passport control and reached the gate of her homeward flight before being refused boarding.

She added: “They [the airline] called immigration on the phone basically were saying these new laws had come in. I was showing my birth certificate, my national insurance, my P45, my dad’s birth certificate and was still denied boarding as I had not got the right documentation.”

As her parents were unmarried at the time of her birth in 1999, Natasha’s father was unable to automatically pass on his citizenship.

She now faces two options: applying for a passport, which she fears could be rejected — as she claims there is no documentation confirming her mother held free movement rights — or paying in excess of £500 for a digital certificate of entitlement.

She added: “There was not documentation, not to my mother or anyone with free movement rights in the EU given to them by the government. How do we prove that now?

“To prove it we’re having to find HMRC documents or find anything that proves she was here legally. It was 26 and a bit years ago so it’s been a nightmare finding the documents.”

Natasha also revealed that following Brexit in 2021, her mother applied for settlement papers, as did her younger sister who was born in Spain, both of which were approved.

However, she claims she was informed she ‘didn’t qualify’ as she was already a British citizen. She added that she is currently unable to apply for the digital certificate of entitlement, as she still lacks the necessary documents from her mother – and has been advised the process could take a minimum of three to six months, or potentially up to a year, to resolve.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Since 25 February 2026, all dual British citizens need to present either a valid British passport or 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. 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.”

Brits travelling abroad are being urged to plan ahead and allow plenty of time.

Holidaymakers have been warned about a new charge coming into force this week. The government is introducing new fees for passport applications on April 8, pushing the cost of online applications beyond £100 for the very first time for adults.

This follows a previous price rise for passport applications earlier in 2025. The latest hike stands at 8%, with a statement on the government website confirming the new fees will help the Home Office move further towards a system that covers its own costs through users rather than relying on general taxation funding.

Under the new proposals, adult online applications will climb from £94.50 to £102, while child applications will go up from £61.50 to £66.50. Postal applications will also see increases, reaching £115.50 for adults and £80 for children.

Premium one-day applications from within the UK will set you back £239.50, up from £222, and standard online applications made from abroad will rise to £116.50 for adults and £75.50 for children. Overseas paper applications will increase to £130 for adults and £89 for children.

Mike Harvey, managing director at 1st Move International, says the rise is particularly significant for Brits applying from overseas, where charges are already higher, reports the Express.

He said: “For expats, long-term travellers or those in the process of relocating, these additional costs can quickly add up, especially if passports are needed for visas, work permits or international moves. Getting your application in before the deadline can help avoid unnecessary extra spend.”

With busy travel periods such as summer on the horizon, demand for passport applications is expected to surge. Delaying too long could mean not only paying more, but also facing hold-ups.

Mike added: “If you know your passport needs renewing, acting now is the safest option, putting you ahead of both the upcoming price increase and the seasonal rush.

“While renewals typically take up to three weeks when completed correctly, any errors can cause delays, so it’s important to check all documents carefully before submitting. Early applications are a simple step that could save both time and money.”

How long does it take to get a new passport?

According to the Home Office, the majority of standard applications from the UK were processed within that three-week timeframe.

However, it can take longer if additional information is required or you need to attend an interview. A sensible approach is to always apply for a passport renewal with as much advance notice before travelling as possible.

For first-time applicants, or those applying on behalf of a child, the process may take a little longer. The government also strongly advises against booking any travel until the new passport has been received, as the number will differ from the previous one.

Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis urged Brits to check if they need to renew passports now

Brits have been urged to “check now” or face being hit by costly passport fees come April. Next month is set to bring a hike in passport charges.

At present, a standard adult passport costs £94.50 when applying online. However, this is due to increase to £102 from 8th April. The price of a child’s passport will also climb from £61.50 to £66.50.

In an update on his Money Saving Expert (MSE) website, Martin Lewis implored people to check whether they require a new passport now, in order to sidestep the forthcoming fee increases. He said: “Rising by up to £17.50. 8 April.

“Check NOW if yours is due for renewal, there’s still time to get the lower rate.” Additional guidance on securing the best deal was also published elsewhere on MSE.

“If you need a new passport, it’s cheapest to apply online,” MSE said. “The only site you’ll ever need to go to is the GOV.UK website.

“It has options for getting your first passport, renewing an old one or getting one for your child. You can apply online, which is the cheapest option, or by paper at the Post Office.

“Last year, over seven million Brits saved by applying online.”

READ MORE: I used new EU airport entry system and it left me worried for summer travellersREAD MORE: HM Passport office warns Brits ‘you may not be able to travel’

How much are passport fees rising?

• Adult: takes up to three weeks to arrive – online cost now – £94.50, online cost from April 8 – £102, postal cost now – £107, postal cost from April 8 – £115.50
• Adult fast-track – arrives one week after appointment – online cost now – £178, online cost after April 8 – £178
• Adult ‘Premium’ – given at the appointment – online cost now – £222, online cost after April 8 – £239.50 Child – takes up to three weeks to arrive – online cost now – £61.50, online cost after April 8 – £66.50, postal cost now – £74, postal cost after April 8 – £80
• Child fast-track – arrives one week after appointment – online cost now – £145, online cost after April 8 – £145

It’s worth noting that there’s no child equivalent one-day service. Also, for all these types, you can pay £12 extra for a 54-page passport, which is “useful” for frequent travellers.

The Government website also cautions that no refund will be issued should you cancel your application or if you’re not entitled to a passport.

Burgundy passport

If you’re still in possession of a burgundy passport, there’s no need to panic – you won’t be required to renew it until closer to its expiry date, as they remain perfectly valid. MSE added: “Got a burgundy passport? Newly-issued UK passports have a blue cover, but you DON’T need to get a new passport straightaway – you can keep using your burgundy passport until it’s due for renewal. The blue passports will only be issued when you renew or apply for a new passport.

“Passports can take up to three weeks to be processed, so apply early. The Passport Office warns that renewing can take three weeks for both online and postal applications, so don’t leave it too late if you’re planning a trip.

“If you need a passport urgently, you’ll need to book an appointment at a passport office and pay online. Alternatively, call HM Passport Office (HMPO) on 0300 222 0000 to book an appointment and pay.” Responding to the price increase, the Home Office released a statement saying: “The new fees will help the Home Office to continue to move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation. The Government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.

“The fees contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas, including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders.”

Ahead of the busy Easter and summer holidays, the cost of a UK passport application, online and postal, are set to increase, with prices soaring above £100 for the first time

The cost of all passports will significantly increase from next month as the Home Office confirms proposed plans.

The Home Office has proposed an 8 per cent increase in UK passport prices, which could see an adult pay out over £100 for the first time. The price of a child’s and a pensioner’s passport will also increase, with the changes set to be implemented from Wednesday, 8 April.

The Home Office said it will “move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation”. The fee increases are subject to Parliamentary approval.

The Home Office said in a statement: “The new fees will help the Home Office to continue to move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation.

“The Government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications. The fees contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas, including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders.”

READ MORE: British tourists ditch popular holiday hotspot as it’s become ‘too expensive’READ MORE: UK passport holders face major fee change on April 8 2026 ‘for the first time’

How much is an adult passport?

From April 8, the cost of a UK adult passport, for standard online applications, will rise from £94.50 to £102. Meanwhile, postal passport applications could rise from £107 to £115.50 for adults.

How much is a passport for children?

The standard fee for a child’s passport, for online applications, could increase from £61.50 to £66.50, while a postal application could rise from £74 to £80 for children.

How much is a pensioner’s passport?

A standard, 32-page concessionary passport is available free of charge for those who were born on or before 2 September 1929 and at the time of their application, hold any British nationality.

The government said: “Customers who naturalised or registered as British nationals will still qualify regardless when they naturalised or registered.”

While the passport is free, there may be some delivery charges to return the passport or to send any supporting documents.

Will next-day services increase?

While it’s always advisable to apply for a new or replacement passport as early as possible, a next-day premium service is available in the UK. However, the new fees from 8 April could see this rise from £222 to £239.50.

How much will overseas UK passports cost?

Those applying overseas for a UK passport online can expect a rise from £108 to £116.50 for adults and from £70 to £75.50 for children. Meanwhile, overseas paper applications will increase from £120.50 to £130 for adults and from £82.50 to £89 for children.

The last time the price of a UK passport increased was on April 10, 2025, when they rose by around 7 per cent. An adult passport soared from £88.50 to £94.50, while a child’s online application increased from £57.50 to £61.50.

Before 2025, there were increases in April 2024 and February 2023.. However, the price surge in 2023 was the first increase in five years.

The government advised that anyone needing a new passport should apply well in advance, as the renewal process can take up to three weeks in the UK or longer during peak travel periods. For more information or to apply for a new or replacement UK passport, you can visit the government website.

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