A British traveller was left stranded after being refused boarding on a Ryanair flight to Spain due to a passport rule that many holidaymakers may not be aware of. The passenger, who posted on social media, said her passport expires in June 2027 but she was told it was invalid under new European regulations.
“Just tried boarding a flight to Spain. My passport runs out June 2027. Was refused boarding because apparently it ran out in 2026 according to new European rules. Can anyone explain this to me? I’m now stuck - check your passports people. Who knew,” she wrote.
Two Key Passport Checks for EU Travel
Ryanair has urged all passengers to perform two essential checks before travelling this summer. The first is to ensure that on the day you enter the country, your passport has at least three months remaining if heading to the EU. For other destinations, the requirement is typically six months.
The second check is the issue date of your passport. EU rules now require that the passport was issued less than 10 years before the date of arrival. This means that even if your passport has not yet expired, it may be invalid if it was issued more than a decade ago.
Why Some Passports Exceed 10 Years
Previously, when British passports were renewed, any remaining validity from the old passport could be added to the new one, allowing some documents to be valid for up to 10 years and nine months. However, EU countries now strictly enforce the 10-year rule from the date of issue, ignoring any extra months.
This has caught out many travellers who assumed their passport was valid until the printed expiry date. The rule has been tightened in recent years, and border control checks have become more stringent.
Advice for British Holidaymakers
Anyone with a new blue passport is safe from this issue, as these are issued with a 10-year validity from the date of issue. However, those still holding a red passport should check both the expiry date and the issue date. The Foreign Office recommends renewing passports at least 10 weeks before they expire to avoid any travel disruption.
Failure to comply with both checks will likely result in being refused boarding. The ABTA has also issued updated advice for travel to Spain, France, and Italy following a Foreign Office update.
