British EU residents barred from flights

Days after a “mutant” coronavirus strain ruined the Christmas plans of holidaymakers on both sides of the English Channel, Brexit red tape and confusion has raised hurdles for Britons attempting to return to their homes in several European countries.

After a holiday season already dampened by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Brexit blues have kicked in early for Britons living in EU states that now regard them as “third-country nationals”. 

Over the weekend, several Britons expressed their dismay on social media after they were barred from boarding flights bound for EU countries they live in. Others have complained of difficulties accessing social benefits to which they are entitled.

Most complaints involved flights to Spain, home to the largest number of registered Britons in Europe, though the Spanish authorities claimed that the issue had been resolved by mid-Sunday.

British in Europe, an advocacy group representing Britons in the EU, said similar issues had arisen in Italy, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands. It spoke of “travel chaos for UK residents in the EU trying to return home”, and of violations of the Withdrawal Agreement guaranteeing the rights of British residents in the EU.