G1: Unable To Visit Daughter

Unable to visit daughter when she gives birth prematurely

Joan and David travel extensively in their camper van during the warmer months.

In 2021, they carefully arrange their trips to fit in with Schengen rules. They plan to spend three weeks in early spring and 2½ months in the summer in Europe. This uses up most of their Schengen 90 days allowance. In June, their daughter who lives in Spain announces that she is 3 months pregnant with their first grandchild and is due in late December. David conscientiously works through the Schengen rules and is relieved to see he and his wife will be able to travel to support their daughter.

In November they get a frantic call from their daughter’s partner to say that she has just had an emergency caesarean section. Their new granddaughter is fine but their daughter is ill and wants her mum. David and Joan pack a bag and go to the airport. On arrival in Spain they are denied entry because they fall foul of the Schengen rule.

This would not have happened if the government had negotiated win-win 180/360 travel arrangements