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The UK government is “working closely” with the Spanish authorities to resolve issues related to post-Brexit residence documentation, after British nationals were prevented from boarding flights back to Spain.
Travelers at Heathrow Airport were “distraught” after airlines told them they did not have the correct proof of residency.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said that Spanish authorities had confirmed that both green residence certificates and new documentation (TIE), along with valid passports, would be sufficient for travel back to Spain.
In an interview posted on Twitter by journalist Max Duncan, passengers on an Iberia airline flight said they were “absolutely devastated” to be detained at the airport, after being told they would be allowed to travel.
British residents in Spain distressed because they cannot fly home from @Heathrow Airport below # COVID-19 restrictions like @Iberia_in said your green residency certificate is invalid after#Brexit even though from Spain @inclusiongob and @FCDOGovUK say it is. Needs clarity https://t.co/dLWW0pMBFO pic.twitter.com/ZXAwmRHIAV
– Max Duncan (@maximduncan) January 2, 2021
“British residents of Spain are distressed that they cannot fly home from @HeathrowAirport under # covid19 restrictions as @Iberia_en said their green residency certificate is invalid after Brexit, although Spain’s @inclusiongob and @FCDOGovUK say yes. It needs clarity, ”he wrote.
Responding to the message, the British embassy in Madrid said: “This should not be happening.
“The Spanish authorities have reconfirmed tonight that the green residence document will be valid to travel back to Spain as indicated in our travel notice.”
The Spanish embassy in London also acknowledged that there have been “problems for British citizens residing in Spain”, but also reiterated that both forms of documentation can be used.
Iberia airlines said they had “consulted with the department in charge” and were waiting for more information.
⚠️Important information for British citizens who must travel to Spain⚠️
Check the accepted proof of residence to enter Spain👇👇@FCDOGovUK @ukinspain @MAECgob pic.twitter.com/itARCqminx
– Embassy of Spain United Kingdom (@EmbSpainUK) January 3, 2021
A spokesperson for the FCDO said: “We have worked closely with the Spanish government to solve these problems.
“The Spanish Embassy in London has confirmed again today that both the green residence certificate and the new TIE residence card are equally valid in terms of accreditation of residence in Spain, as established in the Withdrawal Agreement.”
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