Holiday contact with children — consent, planning and what to do if refused

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-31

The rules on taking a child on holiday

Abroad (outside England & Wales)

If a child arrangements order ("lives with") is in force:

You cannot take the child abroad without written consent from everyone with parental responsibility, OR a court order
This applies to every international trip — including to see family, holidays, or school trips abroad

If no order is in force, you can generally take your own child on holiday — but written consent is still best practice and protects you from a Prohibited Steps application.

Within the UK

Moving within the UK for a holiday doesn't need formal permission
But unilaterally moving the child long-distance permanently is different (see our relocation guide)

The consent letter

A short, dated, signed letter from the other parent confirming:

The child's name and date of birth
The destination and dates
The accommodation
That they consent to the travel

Keep a copy. Some carriers and border authorities ask to see it.

Getting consent

Ask early, in writing — give the full itinerary, dates, and return details
Offer the same in return — make it reciprocal and reasonable
Respond promptly to requests made to you — refusing unreasonably can lead to a Specific Issue Order against you

If the other parent refuses

1. Ask why — sometimes it's a genuine concern (destination safety, dates clashing with contact). Address it. 2. Try mediation — see our mediation guide 3. Apply for a Specific Issue Order — to decide whether the holiday can go ahead (see our PSO/SIO guide) 4. The court weighs the welfare checklist (see our welfare checklist guide) — including whether the parent holding the child is behaving reasonably

If you fear the child won't be returned

Travel to a Hague Convention country where return is enforceable (see our international/Hague guide)
Put the itinerary in the consent letter so it's documented
Get a Prohibited Steps Order if there's a genuine risk of abduction
Port alert via the police if you believe removal is planned

Practical tips

Keep the itinerary (flights, accommodation, return) — if challenged, you can show what you planned
Tell the school the dates so there's no confusion
Make call/video arrangements during the holiday if the other parent wants to stay in touch — it oils the relationship
Tell the other parent when you return — don't stretch the dates

Official links

https://www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad
Take a child abroad consent: https://www.gov.uk/taking-a-child-abroad

This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with HMCTS or gov.uk.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.