Finding out that your child may be going abroad without you can feel frightening. It can bring up anger, fear and a temptation to react quickly. The safest response is to slow down, get the facts and use the lawful route.
This article is about England and Wales. It explains the general rules around permission for travel, not whether someone should be allowed to take a particular trip.
Important: This is general information, not legal advice. Family-court outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Speak to a qualified legal adviser for advice about your situation.
The basic rule on taking a child abroad
GOV.UK states that you normally need the permission of everyone with parental responsibility for a child, or permission from a court, before taking a child abroad. Taking a child abroad without the necessary permission can amount to child abduction.
A written consent letter is usually sensible even where a trip is agreed. It can include the destination, dates, return arrangements and contact details. A border official or airline may ask for evidence of consent.
A limited exception that is easy to misunderstand
A person named in a child arrangements order as the person with whom the child lives can usually take the child abroad for up to 28 days without further permission, unless another court order prevents it. That is not a general rule for every separated parent, and it does not settle every question about a particular trip.
Do not rely on a screenshot, old advice or a social-media comment. Check the wording of any order and get individual legal advice if you are unsure.
What parental responsibility means in practice
Parental responsibility is a legal concept. It affects who should be involved in important decisions, but it does not necessarily decide where a child lives or how much time they spend with each parent. The details can be complicated, especially where a parent is not named on a birth certificate, where there are orders in place or where a move abroad is proposed.
A practical way to respond to a proposed holiday
- Ask calmly for the key details: country, dates, flights, address and return plan.
- Check whether an existing order or written agreement says anything about overseas travel.
- If you agree, put consent in writing and retain a copy.
- If you have a genuine concern, seek urgent regulated legal advice rather than taking a passport, making threats or trying to stop travel yourself.
If you do not agree
Where permission is not given, the person who wants to travel can apply to court for permission. The court will need relevant details of the proposed trip. If you object, keep your explanation specific and focused on the child’s welfare and the evidence you have.
A prohibited steps order can be relevant where you need the court to prevent a specified step. It is not automatic and it is not a substitute for legal advice. A specific issue order may be relevant to a particular disagreement. The correct route depends on the facts.
When a worry becomes urgent
If you believe your child is at immediate risk of being taken abroad without permission, get urgent legal advice and contact the police. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999. Do not hide a child, take unilateral action or encourage another person to breach an order.
There is an important difference between a disagreement about a holiday and evidence of an immediate risk. Be accurate about what you know, what you have been told and what you are worried may happen.
Moving abroad is different from a holiday
A permanent relocation has wider implications: schooling, housing, immigration status, contact with the other parent and the child’s relationship with both families. It needs careful professional advice. A holiday article cannot answer whether a move should be allowed in your case.
Reliable next steps
Read GOV.UK’s permission-to-take-a-child-abroad guidance, check the terms of any order and take advice from a family solicitor. For a wider process overview, read our guide to child arrangements and family court.
Related support
Start with our guide to child arrangements and family court. Read the related guide on concerns about a child being moved away before acting on a travel worry.
Last checked 14 September 2026. Rules, forms, fees and processes can change.
Important: This is general information, not legal advice. Family-court outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Speak to a qualified legal adviser for advice about your situation.
Related articles in this hub
- A Dad’s Guide to Child Arrangements and Family Court in England and Wales
- When You Are Worried Your Child May Be Taken Abroad or Moved Away
- Child Arrangements Orders Explained Without Legal Jargon
Last checked: 14 September 2026. This information is for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different systems.
Official sources: GOV.UK: permission to take a child abroad and GOV.UK: applying for a child-arrangements order.
Leave a Reply