British holidaymakers heading to popular European destinations such as France, Greece, Italy and Spain this summer have been urged to check their passports, as new data reveals more than one million UK passports could fail entry requirements.
According to analysis of HM Passport Office data from June 2026, over 705,000 UK passports currently have fewer than three months' validity remaining. A further 350,000 were issued more than a decade ago, meaning more than one million could be invalid for travel to EU Schengen area countries.
Schengen Entry Rules
To enter the Schengen area, travellers must ensure their passport was issued less than ten years before the start of the trip and has an expiry date at least three months after the planned return date. Many Brits are caught out by the 10-year rule, as before 2018 HM Passport Office could add up to nine months of unused validity from an old passport to a new one, meaning some passports may still be in date but not meet Schengen requirements.
The data also showed that 2.37 million UK passports are due to expire during 2026.
Expert Advice
Tim Knighton, travel insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: “Many travellers assume if they have a valid passport they can travel overseas without any issues, but that’s not always the case. Some countries, including many popular European destinations, require several months’ validity extending beyond the length of a trip, so it’s important to check the entry requirements for each destination before travelling.
“With more than 700,000 UK passports now having less than three months’ validity remaining, it’s worth travellers taking a few minutes to check theirs before heading abroad. Renewing a passport early could help avoid unnecessary stress and reduce the risk of holiday plans being disrupted.”
