Essential Passport Checks for Brits Before February Half-Term Holidays
If you are planning an overseas trip this year, it is crucial to ensure your passport is fully valid. This involves checking two key dates on your travel document before making any holiday bookings. With the February half-term break approaching, travellers are strongly advised to complete these checks well in advance to avoid disruptions.
Recent Changes in Travel Regulations
Over the past year, travel rules have seen significant updates, including increases in passport fees, the adoption of digital-only boarding passes, and rises in tourist taxes. However, one of the most common mistakes remains failing to properly inspect passports before arriving at the airport.
Many Britons assume that if a passport is within its expiry date, it is ready for travel. Yet, a critical detail often overlooked is that for journeys to the European Union, your passport must have at least three months of validity remaining. This is calculated from your return date, not your departure date. For example, if your holiday runs from 25 July to 1 August, your passport must be valid until at least 1 November 2026.
While some countries require six months of validity, the EU mandates only three months. It is essential to verify your passport's validity to comply with these regulations.
The 10-Year Passport Issuance Rule
Another vital check is confirming that your passport was issued within the last 10 years. The '10-year rule' has caught out many travellers, particularly those who received passports before September 2018, as these documents were valid for 10 years and nine months.
Although such passports might appear valid, they could actually be over 10 years old, rendering them invalid for air travel. Passports issued after September 2018 are valid for exactly 10 years, and the 10-year rule applies universally to all passports.
If you find your passport has lapsed due to either of these reasons, you can arrange a renewal through the official government website. For urgent cases, a fast-track application option is available, but it is recommended to submit renewal requests as early as possible.
New EU Entry/Exit System (EES) for Non-EU Travellers
In related travel developments, the European Union introduced the new Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU travellers entering and leaving the Schengen zone last year. For British passport holders, this means that instead of receiving stamps, your biometric data, including fingerprints and a photograph, will be captured at the border when visiting a Schengen area country.
The Schengen zone includes many popular British holiday destinations, such as France, Spain, and Italy, which are expected to be busy during the February half-term as families seek sunny breaks.
Schengen area countries include:
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are outside the Schengen area, so the EES does not apply when travelling to these nations.
This system was implemented on 12 October 2025 to enhance security and expedite border processing. Holidaymakers do not need to take any extra steps before reaching the border, and EES registration is free of charge.
Preparing for Smooth Travel
To ensure a seamless holiday departure and avoid missing flights, passengers are encouraged to allocate extra time when arriving at EU airports or other entry points. The digital EES remains valid for three years, after which travellers must provide fresh fingerprints or have another photograph taken at the border during entry and exit.
While no additional preparation is required, it is important to be aware of this change so you are ready for fingerprint and photo requirements when entering a Schengen zone. Understanding this adjustment also helps anticipate potential delays as the EES is rolled out.
The new framework is not yet operational at every EU airport, so it is advisable to check in advance and build in additional time. Full implementation across all Schengen nations is scheduled for 10 April 2026.
Upcoming ETIAS Visa Waiver Scheme
Meanwhile, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to launch later this year for visitors to the EU. This new visa waiver scheme will require Britons to complete an ETIAS application before their EU holiday, costing €20 per person.
Once granted after a pre-screening process, the ETIAS will remain valid for three years or until your passport expires. The rollout of this scheme, which is similar to the United States' ESTA system, has not been confirmed yet, but it is anticipated for the fourth quarter of this year.
