Traveling with a non family member teenager to Spain

BailMeOut

Hello

We are traveling to Spain and our son's best friend is coming with us. They are both 13 and wondering if we need anything from his parents to show he is allowed to be with us when entering and exiting Spain.

Thank you!

Get Real

You'll be fine as the teenager is accompanied by an adult. There's procedures with airlines for unaccompanied minors aged 12-16 but this doesn't apply in your case.

Theres no rule that a child has to be travelling with their parents, just that they're travelling with a responsible adult.

Children travel with adults of a different surname the whole time, perhaps with their mother who's using her maiden name. Perhaps an aunt, uncle, their child and a cousin. School teachers travelling with students or scout leaders travelling with scouts.

cbreeze

There is useful information on the Citizens Information site below, plus links to forms etc.

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/travel_abroad/travelling_abroad_with_children.html

Bring proof of consent to travel from the teen's parents.

BailMeOut

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120261431#Comment_120261431

Thank you and I saw that but the info is not that reassuring!

"If you are travelling with someone else’s child or with a child with a different surname, you may have to explain the relationship between you and the child to immigration officers in the country you are travelling to."

Mrs OBumble

I would jolly well hope you are asked to explain the relationship! You cannot just traffic other people's kids out of the country on a whim.

I understand that's not your situation OP, but can you see WHY you should have:

1) written permission from both parents

2) the kid willing and able to clearly understand how to explain the relationships and purpose of the trip

3) parents available on the phone at while you are going thru the airport, to answer any questions which might arise.

mondeoman72

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120261448#Comment_120261448

Absolutely. A friend was stopped from returning with her nephew and niece at Tenerife airport as they had no written authorisation

lonestargirl

Definitely bring a letter of consent along with copies of the parent’s ID (to verify signature). I don’t share a surname with my child and am always asked coming back into Dublin to prove that I’m his parent, he’s 12.

BailMeOut

thanks, everyone!

fdevine

Consent letter may never be looked for but wouldn't attempt to travel without it.

scudzilla

I'm from Wales, was taking a regular trip over to see family and took my 6yr old daughter, she has a different surname to me as wife kept her surname.

Stopped in Holyhead, asked to see ID, showed him both passports, told him she was my daughter.

Immigration Guy : "Is this your Daddy?"

Aoife : "No"

Ffs, didn't know wether to laugh or cry

amber2

On trip I was stopped at Dublin airport with 2 kids with passports in fathers surname , both teens. My passport was in maiden name we were asked our relationship to each other and all answered then asked if the father of the kids was travelling today to which we said yes, he was in another queue & we had to wait for him to come over to our queue as surnames differed. It all depends who you meet on the day. Had done this trip many times and never an issue before or never since.