Do we need a letter?

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DH and I are taking our 15yr old DS and his best friend to Tenerife, do we need to take a letter from the friends parents to grant permission? It’s never crossed my mind before but a friend mentioned it the other day. My DS has a different surname to me and I’ve never been questioned about taking him abroad.

Yes, I would. With parents’ phone numbers etc. My DD went abroad with her friend and friend’s parents and we were phoned by the border officials at the airport in the U.K. to check it was OK.

I was asked although the boys were 9 not 15.
Maybe there is an official age cut off on the Spainish website. Probably easier just to get a letter though.

Yes, it’s always best. I was advised by border control also to include a sentence giving you permission to authorise medical procedures if required as well, rather than just take on holiday.

This comes up if the child has a different surname, the letter sounds like a good idea.

Yes definitely.

You are far less likely to be asked for it when you are going somewhere that is a traditional holiday destination but I would still take one. I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t.