Brexit ‘teething problems’ for Britons flying to EU
"Tee thing problems" with Brexit as well as the continuing pandemic have posed issues for Brit ons trying to enter EU countries.
Travellers heading for Spain, the Netherlands and Sweden have been held up at borders following the UK’S departure from the single market.
A number of passengers were stopped at Heathrow Airport as they tried to board an Iberia airline flight to Spain after being told they did not have the correct proof of residency.
The Spanish embassy in London acknowledged there had been" problems for British nationals resident in Spain" and reiterated that both pre and post-brexit residence documentation could be used.
Meanwhile, police in the Netherlands confirmed that ten Britons were refused entry into the country.
Frist Lieutenant Mike Hofman, from the Royal Netherlands Mare cha us see force, told the PA news agency: "British citizens are no longer subject to EU rules now that Brexit has started and due to corona they are only allowed to enter the Netherlands if it is strictly necessary."
A number of Britons who live in Sweden were also refused entry to the country.
British ambassador to Sweden Judith Gough said she was "very concerned" to hear of UK nationals being refused entry to the Scandinavian nation.
She said: "It is clear that there have been teething problems with the new system over the weekend, and we are asking the Swedish authorities to provide greater clarity and consistency for UK nationals, who wish to return home to Sweden."
The diplomat said the British embassy in Stockholm has been in regular contact with Swedish authorities over the past week and asked that any corona virus restrictions be "clear, well-communicated and appropriate".
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed that UK nationals should be able to enter EU countries without a visa under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Their spokesperson said: "However, specific restrictions may be in place as a response to the coronavirus pandemic which supersede this.
"UK nationals, and their family members, who are resident in the EU, and hold a residence permit, a certificate of application, or a document identifying them as a frontier worker, should not be subject to C ovid-19-specific EU travel restrictions.
"However, member states may require them to self-is olate or similar on arrival, provided they also require the same of their own nationals.
"The UK Government is working closely with the EU and member states to ensure the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement operate correctly and consistently at the border."
On Monday a Dublin port official said there had been a slow but steady build-up of freight movements between Britain and Ireland. Hauliers had warned of "mayhem" at ports post-b rex it which has not yet materialised.
The first ferries arrived in Ireland from Britain under new trade rules on Friday following the end of the Brexit transition period.