Spanish woman with right to work in UK deported after returning from holiday

A Spanish woman was deported from the UK after returning from a Christmas holiday in Málaga, despite presenting the necessary Brexit paperwork that showed her right to live and work in the country.

The 34-year-old was detained overnight at Luton airport and then flown back to Spain on Boxing Day.

Border officers reportedly told her she was “wasting her time” if she thought the Home Office documentation she had showing her right to be in the UK would allow her into the country. 

“I went home because my sister had a little baby girl, and literally four days later in Luton airport they took me to the detention room, took my stuff and my phone and told me to wait there," Maria - not her real name - was quoted as saying in The Guardian. 

"I was left there all night and then put on a plane.” 

Maria’s husband flew out to Spain to help his wife after British border officials told her not to attempt to re-enter the UK for at least a month.

“I was supposed to be back at work but now my life has gone. All my stuff is in the UK: my dog, my car. I was doing this veterinary nursing apprenticeship, which was my dream. If I try and... go back it will be even worse,” she said.

The incident has highlighted some of the problems facing EU citizens whose applications to remain in the UK following the Brexit withdrawal agreement have yet to be finalised.

The Spaniard had made a late application for the EU settlement scheme in 2023.

However, her application was refused in June on the grounds she did not provide sufficient evidence.

She has since asked for an administrative review of the decision and had a certificate of application (CoA) from the Home Office.

The certificate states: “You can work in the UK until you receive a decision on your application