British schoolgirl, 16, stranded in Denmark after new UK passport rules introduced

A 16-year-old schoolgirl has been stranded in Denmark for two weeks because of a new change to UK passport rules.

Hanne, a dual British-Norwegian national, was stopped from boarding a Norwegian Airlines flight from Copenhagen to London because she did not have a British passport, as reported by The Guardian.

Before heading to Copenhagen with her Norwegian-born mother, Hanne, whose real name hasn't been used to protect her identity, had applied for a British passport.

Because she's missed two weeks of school and is set to sit her GCSEs in May, her mother was forced to fly back to collect her revision material and return to Copenhagen, where she was staying.

The new passport rule, which came into force last month, requires all British nationals with dual nationality to hold a UK passport.

This wasn't the case previously, as dual nationals could travel in and out of the country with a foreign passport.

The new passport rule, which came into force last month, requires all British nationals with dual nationalities to hold a UK passport (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

However, from 25 February, this has changed: they are now required to show their UK passport or a digital version of a certificate of entitlement to enter the UK; otherwise, they could be denied entry.

Hanne's family first became aware of the new rules when they'd attempted to check in for their return flights. Her mother said it allowed her to check in, but not Hanne, and when arriving at the airport, the same thing happened.

Although Norwegian Airlines informed the British embassy of Hanne's situation, they were unable to help at the time.

The Passport Office were forced to cancel Hanne’s previous passport application because she was abroad and was unable to get it processed.

While her mum has applied for another passport, the Home Office has now stepped in to review the situation.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are aware of this case and are working at pace to provide assistance. Public information advising dual nationals to travel with a valid UK passport or certificate of entitlement has been available since October 2024, including official guidance on gov.uk.

Hanne's family became aware of the rule when attempting to check in for their return flights (Getty stock image)

“Guidance for dual citizens was also included in our ETA communications campaign, which has been running since 2023.”

The Home Office adds that British nationals can use an expired passport, but acceptance as proof of nationality was at the discretion of the airline.

Hanne's mother said: "Obviously, it is very stressful. We are very worried about the GCSEs, she is missing school, missing her mother, her siblings and all the other things in her life.

"It will be a disaster if she can’t come back soon."

James MacCleary, Hanne’s Liberal Democrat MP, told The Guardian that the rule change is causing 'heartbreaking situations' for dual nationals.

“The government’s hopeless planning and communication of its changes to entry requirements for dual nationals has caused an untold amount of chaos and stress,” he said.

“Too many dual nationals have found themselves stranded abroad in heartbreaking situations, missing funerals, weddings, or, in the case of my constituent, an absolutely crucial time in education.

Hanne's mother flew back to UK to gather her revision materials before flying back to Copenhagen, where she is staying (Getty stock images)

“The home secretary needs to pull her finger out and urgently provide a low-cost and quick alternative for dual nationals stuck abroad.

If she fails to act the prime minister must step in to bring an end to the chaos, otherwise more children and families will pay the price.”

It comes after Hanne's head teacher urged the Home Office to help bring her home.

A letter to the department read: “Hanne is effectively prevented from re-entering the UK despite being a British citizen and having a permanent home and school placement here.

“She is currently missing taught lessons across all subjects and is at risk of missing important assessments, including GCSE exams.”

The Guardian reports that Passport Office officials told Hanne's father they are cancelling her passport application, made weeks ago, now that they are aware she is overseas.

They added that she would need to start again with an application from outside the country, which could take six weeks.

LADbible Group has contacted the Home Office for an update.