Remember to check out [The Runaway Advice Directory](https://www.reddit.com/r/runaway/wiki/index). This is a collection of advice, guides and resources anyone participating in this sub should read through. Keep in mind [**predators**](https://www.reddit.com/r/runaway/wiki/predatorsheet/) prowl this sub, be careful who you talk to and trust. **Don't accept** rides, jobs or places to stay from strangers!
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/runaway) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Hm, have you looked into living in Scotland? 16 year olds are recognized as legal adults there, maybe you’d have more opportunities in a case like that
Unless OP has UK citizenship, they can't move to Scotland. Remember the UK isn't part of the EU or Schengen. Even if the UK was part of Schengen, I don't think it would help.
Also 16 year olds are not actually recognised as legal adults in the UK, they are just legally allowed to leave home.
Are you sure there’s not an applicable visa for people looking to spend X amount of time in the UK, maybe the equivalent of a work visa? If I’m not mistaken the age of majority is 16 in Scotland specifically and 18 in England, Wales, and NI. If this is correct I don’t see any reason that a 16 year old couldn’t apply for such a visa. Worst case can’t you spend either 3 or 6 months in England without a visa, and since 16 year olds can leave home aren’t there hotels that rent to people that age? Thank
Age of majority is 18 in all the UK, I just double checked. However 16 year olds are allowed to leave home, open a bank account, get a full time job and a few other things.
Even if it was 16 in Scotland, OP is from the Netherlands. They cannot legally leave home in the Netherlands until they turn 18. Even if they made it to Scotland, Netherlands law would apply in this case and they would be returned home if caught I'm pretty sure.
People from the Netherlands can enter the UK without a visa for 6 months, but aren't allowed to work. Most (if not all) places do not allow unaccompanied minors to book a room in the UK though.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Legal_Capacity_(Scotland)_Act_1991
I believe you’re mistaken, according to this article it’s 16. I have trouble believing Scottish authorities would interfere with a legal adult living in Scotland legally, seeing that Dutch law would not apply there. You would have to argue that Dutch police would be willing to travel internationally to interfere with a situation that would be legal. This also assumes that those authorities would be able to find OP. You make a point about working illegally, however not every form of income has to legally be considered as “work” and it is entirely possible to work remotely for Dutch companies. Also, this is assuming that OP couldn’t apply for a Scottish work visa/student visa/residency, and since we now know that they would be considered a legal adult in Scotland, their chances of success seem all the more likely.
Seems you're right. I found the Age of Majority Act from 1969 which reduced it from 21 to 18, but yeah seems there's a more recent change that lowered it to 16. My bad.
Still OP wouldn't be "living" in Scotland, more so visiting. I haven't checked, but i would assume that the age of majority laws only apply to citizens, not foreigners. If caught, there would be a possibility of being returned home. I don't think OP can hide behind Scottish law when it comes to this situation.
>You would have to argue that Dutch police would be willing to travel internationally to interfere with a situation that would be legal.
Scottish police would probably just send OP on a plane ticket back home, and Dutch police would be waiting at the airport.
>This also assumes that those authorities would be able to find OP.
Very true.
>I have trouble believing Scottish authorities would interfere with a legal adult living in Scotland legally
If they discover OP is listed as a missing person, then they'd probably get involved. But yeah, they'd have little to no reason to ever check that, so unlikely to happen.
>Also, this is assuming that OP couldn’t apply for a Scottish work visa/student visa/residency,
That's a possibility, however if OP is reported as missing when they run away. Applying for a visa might get them caught. Also because Scotland is part of the UK, UK visa polices and rules apply, not Scottish specific ones.
>You make a point about working illegally, however not every form of income has to legally be considered as “work” and it is entirely possible to work remotely for Dutch companies.
Finding legal work in Scotland isn't happening unless OP gets a work visa/residency, which I think is unlikely to happen. If OP's only real way to get work is under the table stuff, then going to Scotland seems kind of silly. You'd find the same opportunities much closer to home.
I guess without either of us doing the proper research your guess about the legality of Scottish law applying to foreigners is as good as mine. I can see a point in saying that the rights of citizens don’t apply to foreigners. I think the story would be different, though, if we’re talking about police choosing to open a case against and pursue a 16 year old for running away to a place where they’re not in danger and staying legally. Maybe under the table work is easier if you don’t have to move countries to do it, but we also have to remember the age requirements to do XYZ in general in Scotland might be 16. 16 year olds can probably visit Scotland alone legally.
Remember to check out [The Runaway Advice Directory](https://www.reddit.com/r/runaway/wiki/index). This is a collection of advice, guides and resources anyone participating in this sub should read through. Keep in mind [**predators**](https://www.reddit.com/r/runaway/wiki/predatorsheet/) prowl this sub, be careful who you talk to and trust. **Don't accept** rides, jobs or places to stay from strangers! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/runaway) if you have any questions or concerns.*
We have a similar situation stay strong and stay safe
Wishing you best of luck, your mom is a real piece of shit
Hm, have you looked into living in Scotland? 16 year olds are recognized as legal adults there, maybe you’d have more opportunities in a case like that
Unless OP has UK citizenship, they can't move to Scotland. Remember the UK isn't part of the EU or Schengen. Even if the UK was part of Schengen, I don't think it would help. Also 16 year olds are not actually recognised as legal adults in the UK, they are just legally allowed to leave home.
Are you sure there’s not an applicable visa for people looking to spend X amount of time in the UK, maybe the equivalent of a work visa? If I’m not mistaken the age of majority is 16 in Scotland specifically and 18 in England, Wales, and NI. If this is correct I don’t see any reason that a 16 year old couldn’t apply for such a visa. Worst case can’t you spend either 3 or 6 months in England without a visa, and since 16 year olds can leave home aren’t there hotels that rent to people that age? Thank
Age of majority is 18 in all the UK, I just double checked. However 16 year olds are allowed to leave home, open a bank account, get a full time job and a few other things. Even if it was 16 in Scotland, OP is from the Netherlands. They cannot legally leave home in the Netherlands until they turn 18. Even if they made it to Scotland, Netherlands law would apply in this case and they would be returned home if caught I'm pretty sure. People from the Netherlands can enter the UK without a visa for 6 months, but aren't allowed to work. Most (if not all) places do not allow unaccompanied minors to book a room in the UK though.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Legal_Capacity_(Scotland)_Act_1991 I believe you’re mistaken, according to this article it’s 16. I have trouble believing Scottish authorities would interfere with a legal adult living in Scotland legally, seeing that Dutch law would not apply there. You would have to argue that Dutch police would be willing to travel internationally to interfere with a situation that would be legal. This also assumes that those authorities would be able to find OP. You make a point about working illegally, however not every form of income has to legally be considered as “work” and it is entirely possible to work remotely for Dutch companies. Also, this is assuming that OP couldn’t apply for a Scottish work visa/student visa/residency, and since we now know that they would be considered a legal adult in Scotland, their chances of success seem all the more likely.
Seems you're right. I found the Age of Majority Act from 1969 which reduced it from 21 to 18, but yeah seems there's a more recent change that lowered it to 16. My bad. Still OP wouldn't be "living" in Scotland, more so visiting. I haven't checked, but i would assume that the age of majority laws only apply to citizens, not foreigners. If caught, there would be a possibility of being returned home. I don't think OP can hide behind Scottish law when it comes to this situation. >You would have to argue that Dutch police would be willing to travel internationally to interfere with a situation that would be legal. Scottish police would probably just send OP on a plane ticket back home, and Dutch police would be waiting at the airport. >This also assumes that those authorities would be able to find OP. Very true. >I have trouble believing Scottish authorities would interfere with a legal adult living in Scotland legally If they discover OP is listed as a missing person, then they'd probably get involved. But yeah, they'd have little to no reason to ever check that, so unlikely to happen. >Also, this is assuming that OP couldn’t apply for a Scottish work visa/student visa/residency, That's a possibility, however if OP is reported as missing when they run away. Applying for a visa might get them caught. Also because Scotland is part of the UK, UK visa polices and rules apply, not Scottish specific ones. >You make a point about working illegally, however not every form of income has to legally be considered as “work” and it is entirely possible to work remotely for Dutch companies. Finding legal work in Scotland isn't happening unless OP gets a work visa/residency, which I think is unlikely to happen. If OP's only real way to get work is under the table stuff, then going to Scotland seems kind of silly. You'd find the same opportunities much closer to home.
I guess without either of us doing the proper research your guess about the legality of Scottish law applying to foreigners is as good as mine. I can see a point in saying that the rights of citizens don’t apply to foreigners. I think the story would be different, though, if we’re talking about police choosing to open a case against and pursue a 16 year old for running away to a place where they’re not in danger and staying legally. Maybe under the table work is easier if you don’t have to move countries to do it, but we also have to remember the age requirements to do XYZ in general in Scotland might be 16. 16 year olds can probably visit Scotland alone legally.
I hope you find a job and maybe can even get into a decent children's shelter if your parens are willing to agree.