British travellers planning summer trips to France, Greece, Italy and Spain have been warned to check their passports, as new data suggests more than one million UK passports may not meet European entry requirements.
Analysis of HM Passport Office figures from June 2026 shows that over 705,000 UK passports currently have less than three months' validity remaining, while a further 350,000 were issued more than a decade ago. This means more than one million travellers could be turned away at the border or denied boarding.
The rules for the EU Schengen area require that a passport be issued within the past ten years and have an expiry date at least three months after the planned return date. The 10-year rule is especially relevant for passports issued before September 2018, when unused time from an old passport could be added to a new one, potentially making some documents invalid despite appearing in date.
Tim Knighton, travel insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: “Many travellers assume if they have a valid passport they can travel overseas without any issues, but that’s not always the case. Some countries, including many popular European destinations, require several months’ validity extending beyond the length of a trip, so it’s important to check the entry requirements for each destination before travelling.”
With 2.37 million passports due to expire during 2026, holidaymakers are urged to check their documents well in advance. Renewing a passport early can help avoid unnecessary stress and reduce the risk of disrupted plans.
