Millions of British holidaymakers heading to Europe this summer are being urged to check their passports and travel documents well before travel, as new digital border checks continue to cause delays and confusion at some European airports. One common mistake could stop families travelling abroad.
The 10-Year Rule and Three-Month Validity
British travellers should check both the issue date and expiry date on their passport before travelling to Europe. For travel to the EU and wider Schengen area, a British passport generally must have been issued less than 10 years before the date of entry and also be valid for at least three months beyond the date you plan to leave the Schengen area.
This simple mistake continues to catch out travellers with older UK passports, particularly those renewed before September 2018, when unused validity could be carried over onto a new passport.
Expert Warning
Helena Sheizon, founder of UK immigration advisory practice Kadmos Immigration, said: "Many people only look at the expiry date, but for travel to Europe that isn't enough. A passport can still appear valid, but if it was issued more than 10 years before the date you enter the Schengen area, you could be refused boarding or entry. It's one of the easiest mistakes to avoid, provided you check early enough."
New Digital Border Checks
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is now operating across the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps with a digital record of when non-EU travellers enter and leave participating countries. The system applies also to British passport holders travelling for short stays and records facial images, fingerprints and passport details at the border.
The warning comes as airports and airlines continue adapting to the new process during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, with reports of longer queues and passengers being advised to allow extra time before flights.
