UK holidaymakers are being warned to avoid getting caught out by a post-Brexit passport rule that could hamper EU travel plans.
Until 2018, British passport holders could have unspent time on an old passport – up to 9 months – added to a renewal.
However, after Brexit, unspent time added to a 10-year passport has not been considered valid for entry to the EU.
Home Office data suggests that 32 million people had applied for passports which, if granted would be over 10 years old.
Here’s everything you need to know about the changes, how to avoid being caught out, and what options you have if you are.
What’s different now?
UK passport holders used to be able to carry over another nine months on a passport that had been issued 10 years ago for entry into the EU.
However, following Brexit, the EU does not accept UK passports past the 10-year expiry date.
Issues arise when travelers may enter their passport details with the airline but are not turned away from their flight until they’re boarding at the gate, when it becomes difficult to change your flight or receive any compensation for the missed flight.
i‘s Travel Editor, Sophie Lam, said: “Validity for British passport-holders entering the Schengen area changed after Brexit.
“After initial uncertainty and confusion, the Foreign Office updated its passport advice in May 2022, clarifying the requirements for entry to Europe and bringing them into line with those of the European Commission.
“Thousands of British travellers have been turned away by airlines and cross-Channel transport providers due to their passports failing to meet EU requirements.”
How do I avoid getting caught out?
To avoid being caught out by the rule and turned away from boarding at the airport, you should make sure to check your passport’s issue and expiry date when booking your holiday.
EU requirement state that a British passport must meet the following requirements (independent of one another) for entry to the EU:
- Passport issued 10 years before the date of entry
- Passport has three months left before expiry date on the date of return to the UK
So, as well as being issued less than 10 years before your departure date, you should also ensure your passport is valid for three months after your planned return date.
Rory Boland, travel editor at Which? told the BBC: “The ’10-year-rule’ is a problem that continues to catch people out.
“What’s really important is that you check your passport validity and expiry date when booking your holiday.
“Not when you go to check-in, and certainly not when you travel to the airport, because that’s when people are continually finding that their passport is out of date and it’s often then too expensive, and too complicated to save their holiday.”
How do I renew my passport?
You can renew your passport either online or in person.
If you’d like to apply online, you can do so through the portal on the UK Government website. You’ll need an updated digital photo of yourself and be prepared to send in your passport.
The online application currently has a fee of £82.50.
You can also apply in person at a Post Office. You’ll need to bring your old passport and two printed updated photos. Applying in person has a higher fee of £93.
However, the Home Office is seeking approval to increase fees for both new passports and renewals from 11 April – a second price increase in 14 months, after a nine per cent hike in February 2023.
It would see the cost of a standard online application made from within the UK rise to £88.50 while an under 16s passport is set to jump from £53.50 to £57.50.
UK postal applications, meanwhile, will increase to £100 for adults and £69 for children, with overseas applications rising to £101 for adults and £65.50 for children online, or to £112.50 for adults and £77 for children by post.
Once the materials have been received by the HM Passport Office, the wait time begins.
As of March 2024, the typical wait time is three weeks. You should apply well in advance to make sure you have your passport ahead of your trip.
If you have any visas in your old passport that are still valid, you can use them if you travel with both your old and new passport.
i‘s Sophie Lam said: “HMPO updated its guidance for passport application turnaround times in autumn 2023, reducing it from 10 weeks to three for an adult renewal.
“However, in practice applications are being processed much more swiftly, taking on average nine days according to crowd-sourced site passportwaitingtime.co.uk.”
What can I do if I’m turned away at the airport?
Not much, unfortunately.
Airlines UK, the trade body for the UK’s registered airline companies, has said there was no guarantee that potentially invalid passport details would be picked up in advance, adding that airlines do provide reminders and links.
It said it was the responsibility of the person travelling to ensure they have a valid travel document.
If you are turned away at the airport, you would not be covered and would not be entitled to your money back.
Gemma Brown, head of commercial and travel expert at Travel Republic, said: “If travellers make it all the way to their boarding gate without checking, airlines can refuse those holding passports that were issued over 10 years ago. In this instance, passengers should be aware that denied boarding is reasonable due to inadequate travel documentation.
“The likelihood is that travel insurance providers would not cover any costs associated with invalid or expired passports, as it’s down to the traveller to triple check their documentation is correct.
“Our advice would be to ensure that your passport is within the 10 year issue date and is valid for at least six months from the date of departure to ensure you will be accepted into most countries.
“Regardless of passport rules, it’s important for all travellers to research the country they plan to visit and ensure they know what travel documentation is required upon entering and leaving. You can find foreign travel advice on the Government website to make sure you have everything covered.”
