UK holidaymakers are being urged to conduct a vital passport check immediately to avoid devastating travel disruptions and ruined summer getaways. A critical post-Brexit rule change has left thousands of Brits unknowingly at risk of being turned away at the airport.
The 90-Day Rule: Your Passport's Expiry Date Isn't What It Seems
Since the UK's departure from the European Union, British passport holders face a stringent new validity requirement when travelling to EU countries. Unlike before, your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day of your departure and have at least three months remaining after your planned return date.
This '90-day rule' has become a trap for many unsuspecting travellers, particularly those with passports issued before September 2018. Many passports were originally issued with extra months added to the standard 10-year validity, but the EU no longer recognises this additional time.
How to Perform the Critical Check
Follow these simple steps to ensure your travel documents are in order:
- Locate the 'date of issue' on your passport
- Add exactly 10 years to this date
- Check if this 10-year anniversary falls before your travel dates
- Ensure your passport has at least three months validity beyond your return date
Real Consequences for Unwary Travellers
Travel experts report that hundreds of passengers are being turned away at UK airports every week due to this easily overlooked requirement. The financial and emotional cost of ruined holidays is mounting, with families facing last-minute cancellations and lost vacation funds.
"We're seeing devastated families at check-in desks every single day," reported one airport official. "It's heartbreaking to turn people away, especially when it's for something they simply didn't know about."
Act Now to Save Your Summer Holiday
With passport renewal times currently taking several weeks, travellers are advised to check their documents immediately. The Passport Office recommends applying for renewals at least 10 weeks before travel, but processing times can vary during peak periods.
Don't let paperwork pitfalls destroy your well-earned break. This simple five-minute check could be the difference between a holiday of a lifetime and a devastating travel disaster.
