Consumer champion Martin Lewis has issued a stark warning to British holidaymakers, urging them to perform a critical check on their passports immediately to avoid potential travel ruin this summer.
In a crucial update on his ITV show, The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, the founder of MoneySavingExpert.com highlighted a little-known post-Brexit rule that is catching thousands of travellers off guard.
The Hidden 10-Year Rule That Could Ground Your Holiday
The issue lies with passports issued before September 2018. At that time, the UK Passport Office would add any unused months from your previous passport onto your new one, potentially making its validity appear longer than the standard 10 years.
However, for travel to most EU countries and the Schengen area, this extra time is not recognised. These nations require that your passport must be:
- Issued less than 10 years ago from the date of entry
- Valid for at least three months from the date you plan to leave the destination country
This means if your passport was issued more than a decade ago—even if it hasn't technically expired—you could be refused boarding and have your dream holiday cancelled before it even begins.
How To Perform The Vital Check
Lewis demonstrated the simple check every traveller must perform. Locate the 'date of issue' on your passport's photo page. If that date is more than 10 years before your intended travel date to an EU country, you will need to renew your passport immediately.
"This is a genuine, practical issue that is causing people problems," Lewis emphasised during the broadcast, noting that this obscure rule has already led to heartbreaking travel disruptions for many families.
Don't Risk Losing Thousands
Failing this check could result in devastating financial losses. Many travel insurance policies do not cover invalid documentation, meaning travellers could lose the entire cost of their flights and accommodation.
The warning comes during peak booking season for summer holidays, making it imperative that Brits verify their passport's eligibility now rather than facing last-minute panic and potential renewal delays.
With passport office waiting times fluctuating, the message is clear: check your issue date today and renew early if in doubt. Your summer holiday depends on it.
