If you are among the roughly 32 million Brits still carrying a burgundy passport, there are crucial checks you need to make before jetting off on your summer holiday, or you could find your travel plans in tatters.
Why Burgundy Passports May Be Invalid
The UK switched from burgundy to blue passports in 2020, but as of early 2025, an estimated 32 million Brits still held a valid burgundy document. UK passports typically remain valid for 10 years, so burgundy passports could remain in circulation until at least 2029, and potentially into 2030. However, as the peak holiday season approaches, holders are urged to examine their documents carefully, as one piece of information no longer featured in UK passports could break travel rules.
The 10-Year Rule
A TikTok video by Rudge Daily highlighted the need for vital checks. The narrator warned: “There is a high chance the old coloured documents break travel rules, so anyone who owns one is urged to make vital checks well in advance. The two most important details are your passport’s issue date and expiry date.”
When travelling to EU countries, passports must be less than 10 years old on the date of entry and must have a minimum validity of three months beyond your planned departure. Prior to 2018, passports could be valid for up to 10 years and nine months because leftover months from a previous passport were rolled over. This system ended in 2018, but if you have a passport issued in 2016 or 2017, you need to verify it is still acceptable. For example, a passport issued in March 2016 and expiring in August 2026 might seem fine, but it is over 10 years old and would be turned away at EU borders.
What Burgundy Passport Holders Should Do
The TikTok creator explained: “While you might still have plenty of time before the expiry date, it is likely over 10 years old and therefore invalid for EU travel. If you are going abroad, it is best to Google the passport rules for the country you are visiting.” Research shows fewer than 50% of people are aware of the 10-year cut-off before 2018. This problem mainly affects burgundy passport holders, as blue passports were issued from 2020 onwards and are valid for exactly 10 years. Parents should also check children’s passports, even if blue, as they are typically valid for only five years.
New Entry/Exit System (EES)
Holidaymakers heading to EU destinations should also note the new Entry/Exit System (EES), launched in October 2025, which altered requirements for British travellers visiting the Schengen area. If you travel to a Schengen country (most of Europe except Ireland and Cyprus) for a short stay, you may be asked to provide biometric data, such as fingerprints, upon arrival. No action is needed before reaching the border, and EES registration is free. This system replaces manual passport stamping, but may cause longer queues at border control.
For further details on EES and travel regulations, visit the Gov.uk website.
