UK families planning a sunny escape for the October half-term are being urged to conduct an urgent check on their passports to avoid a costly and heartbreaking holiday cancellation.
A critical post-Brexit rule change, largely overlooked by many, mandates that Brits travelling to the European Union must have a passport issued within the last ten years on the day of departure. Furthermore, the document must have at least three months remaining before its expiry date on the intended day of return to the UK.
The Hidden Trap for Travellers
This isn't just about having enough time left on the passport. The '10-year rule' is the real trap. Many British passports issued before September 2018 were valid for longer than a decade. If your passport is older than 10 years, even if it has several months of validity left, it will not be accepted for travel to EU member states, including popular destinations like Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal.
"It’s one of the most common reasons for customers needing to renew their passport at the last minute," warns a spokesperson for Post Office Travel Money, which issued the alert.
How to Check Your Passport's Validity
Don't get caught out. Follow these simple steps to ensure your travel documents are in order:
- Find the date of issue on your passport.
- Check the expiry date.
- Calculate if it was issued more than 10 years ago from your travel date.
- Ensure that from your return date, it still has more than three months until it expires.
The UK Government's official website has a handy online tool that can quickly check your passport's validity for your intended destination.
Act Now to Save Your Holiday
With the current standard passport renewal taking up to three weeks, and with no option for fast-track services available online, last-minute applicants are facing a stressful race against time. Procrastination could mean missing your October break entirely.
This essential check applies to all travellers, including infants and children, whose passports are subject to the exact same rules. A simple verification today could be the difference between a family holiday filled with joy or one cancelled at the airport gate.
