tednsharon

Hi

Thought I had better pass on my experiences to you all ...

Have just returned from Ayamonte with my daughter and three 16 year-old friends as their post-GCSE treat. When we arrived at passport control in Faro, we were almost refused entry as I didn't have an official letter of permission from the friends' parents informing them they could travel with me! :scared: I almost died on the spot as you imagine. At first we thought he was joking, but he wasn't and after profuse apologies we were allowed in ... !

I have just phoned the Portuguese Embassy in London who has confirmed the above situation and also when my 16-year old travels with my 13-year old next month to join me in Spain I have to have a letter detailing names and passport numbers, signed by my husband and myself and notarised!!!!

As the 16-year olds were classed as "adults" by the airline I had assumed that there wouldn't be a problem. Certainly passport control in England did't request to see any documentation showing permissions. We were just allowed to board the plane!

Just didn't want it to happen to anyone else!!!

Sharon

jdr

I thought they were in the EU ?
Are they the only country with this rule, I have travelled to many countries accompanied by my kids friends and never come across this before.

tednsharon

I thought so too! My children have also travelled with other friends and not been asked for anything like this before either ... I was absolutely speechless as you can imagine.

Sharon

ironporer

My daughter had to have a notorised statement from me allowing her mother to take her out of the country a year ago...which she found out about as they were going to board the plane! Luckily, I was near a pooter and typed one up, 5 minutes later had it notorised at the bank and faxed it off in time.

I think it's a great idea, but perhaps needs to be uniformly enforced and informed to people upon buying a ticket etc. Might help reduce parental (usually non-custodial) and other child kidnappings.